Johansson just signed for 2 years @ 2 per with the Wild.

That ain’t gonna help Engvall’s case.
- Wildschwein

Definitely won't. I would imagine if he is going to sign a similar number with us, it will happen pretty fast.

Well, now we've invented a price he definitely will demand and get, invented a market where there's going to be a bidding war for him, climbed into Lou's head to determine what he wants, and climbed into Engvall's head to do the same. What if the opposite's true? What if he wants to return, Lou wants him back, and he's maybe a third-tier consideration for teams in the market for forwards and Engvall would rather sign a deal now than wait around until August to see where he's going to play? The truth is we have no idea.

I guess I'm not so quick to just write him off because what we haven't done is explain, in a world where there's a massive bidding war for even a player like Pierre Engvall, how we're supposed to find a better LW to replace him. The Isles have virtually no assets to trade, limited cap space, and they aren't exactly a hot destination for FAs who haven't already been playing here and who have other options. I don't imagine the constant media portrayal of the Isles as a sleepy, lumbering team in decline living under a brutal Lou autocracy will help with their recruitment efforts.
- UIF

First day here?

I don't think Engvall is coming in under $3M, in fact I think he'll end up closer to $4M than under $3M.

It's a weak UFA class and, if he goes to market, he's likely to get a significant (relatively speaking) raise from the $2.25M he's making now. I think he'll probably be around $3.5M and think that's the exact contract you pass on. A career bottom six forward who play well in a limited sample size that you then go and pay market price/term for.

The way things stand today, they have about $6.1M, or call it $7.1M if we want to assume the cap goes up $1M, to allocate to either re-signing Varly or acquiring a new back-up goaltender, replacing/re-signing Mayfield, and then filling out the roster with other minor deals like Parise/Wahlstrom/Bolduc/Wotherspoon. That's not much to work with. Obviously moving Bailey/Johnston's salary out (and potentially someone(s) else) gives them a heck of a lot more to play with, but I'm not assuming any of that happens.
- eichiefs9

I agree. I said 3-4 I believe the other day. If he really wants to stay and Lou really wants to keep him maybe we could give him a modest raise. What I find most amazing is how many paragraphs on this thread have been dedicated to Engvall.

Johansson just signed for 2 years @ 2 per with the Wild.

That ain’t gonna help Engvall’s case.
- Wildschwein

Definitely will not.

I don't think Engvall is coming in under $3M, in fact I think he'll end up closer to $4M than under $3M.

It's a weak UFA class and, if he goes to market, he's likely to get a significant (relatively speaking) raise from the $2.25M he's making now. I think he'll probably be around $3.5M and think that's the exact contract you pass on. A career bottom six forward who play well in a limited sample size that you then go and pay market price/term for.

The way things stand today, they have about $6.1M, or call it $7.1M if we want to assume the cap goes up $1M, to allocate to either re-signing Varly or acquiring a new back-up goaltender, replacing/re-signing Mayfield, and then filling out the roster with other minor deals like Parise/Wahlstrom/Bolduc/Wotherspoon. That's not much to work with. Obviously moving Bailey/Johnston's salary out (and potentially someone(s) else) gives them a heck of a lot more to play with, but I'm not assuming any of that happens.
- eichiefs9

My offseason predictions that I'll probably get all wrong

Bailey - Gone, Trade or Buyout
Parise - Gone, Retired
Mayfield - Gone, Overpaid on the open market
Engvall - Stays, Lou overpays unfortunately on another bottom 6 forward
Varly - Stays on a team friendly 2 yr deal
Johnston - Gone, Waived or Traded
Pageau - Gone, Traded

Lou - Not going anywhere
Lambert - Returns on an extremely short leash.
Houda - Gone
MacLean - Gone

My offseason predictions that I'll probably get all wrong

Bailey - Gone, Trade or Buyout
Parise - Gone, Retired
Mayfield - Gone, Overpaid on the open market
Engvall - Stays, Lou overpays unfortunately on another bottom 6 forward
Varly - Stays on a team friendly 2 yr deal
Johnston - Gone, Waived or Traded
Pageau - Gone, Traded

Lou - Not going anywhere
Lambert - Returns on an extremely short leash.
Houda - Gone
MacLean - Gone
- Vukota

Seems reasonable Vukota.

My offseason predictions that I'll probably get all wrong

Bailey - Gone, Trade or Buyout
Parise - Gone, Retired
Mayfield - Gone, Overpaid on the open market
Engvall - Stays, Lou overpays unfortunately on another bottom 6 forward
Varly - Stays on a team friendly 2 yr deal
Johnston - Gone, Waived or Traded
Pageau - Gone, Traded

Lou - Not going anywhere
Lambert - Returns on an extremely short leash.
Houda - Gone
MacLean - Gone
- Vukota

Weak

Seems reasonable Vukota.
- ses111

I just don’t see a lot of turnover with so many unmovable contracts, lack of cap space and no more picks or prospects to trade. I think after next year when the cap jumps up and they lose a few more older players you’ll see a bigger roster turnover imo

I just don’t see a lot of turnover with so many unmovable contracts, lack of cap space and no more picks or prospects to trade. I think after next year when the cap jumps up and they lose a few more older players you’ll see a bigger roster turnover imo
- Vukota

I do agree if there’s a player that’s going, besides a Bailey buyout, it’s more then likely Pageau. Said it the other day. He probably has some value and we could shed five million. Problem is that moves Barzal back to center unless there’s another option.

My offseason predictions that I'll probably get all wrong

Bailey - Gone, Trade or Buyout
Parise - Gone, Retired
Mayfield - Gone, Overpaid on the open market
Engvall - Stays, Lou overpays unfortunately on another bottom 6 forward
Varly - Stays on a team friendly 2 yr deal
Johnston - Gone, Waived or Traded
Pageau - Gone, Traded

Lou - Not going anywhere
Lambert - Returns on an extremely short leash.
Houda - Gone
MacLean - Gone
- Vukota

Most of this seems extremely likely. I don't see Bailey getting traded though. Pageau being traded has been mentioned a couple of times elsewhere. That would be a shakeup for sure

I just don’t see a lot of turnover with so many unmovable contracts, lack of cap space and no more picks or prospects to trade. I think after next year when the cap jumps up and they lose a few more older players you’ll see a bigger roster turnover imo
- Vukota

Very difficult to see a lot of turnover this year. If you can move Bailey, you play Wally if healthy. I’m not sure if Mayfield leaves if Bolduc gets the spot or is he out being a lefty? Could be a year you look at more young players.

Eh, it's all just rearranging deck chairs anyway if our $24.6m first line doesn't get its act together. If Lee continues to decline, Horvat continues to do whatever it is I've been watching, and Barzal plays more like a $6m second liner than a $9m first liner, then that's too much money locked up in underperformance to make up for elsewhere. They need to get it together and figure out how to pile up goals because I'm pretty sure as they go, the Isles go.

I do agree if there’s a player that’s going, besides a Bailey buyout, it’s more then likely Pageau. Said it the other day. He probably has some value and we could shed five million. Problem is that moves Barzal back to center unless there’s another option.
- Cptmjl

Can Engvall play center? Lol

Most of this seems extremely likely. I don't see Bailey getting traded though. Pageau being traded has been mentioned a couple of times elsewhere. That would be a shakeup for sure
- keaner17

I think trading Pageau would be the right thing to do if you can get a decent return.

Eh, it's all just rearranging deck chairs anyway if our $24.6m first line doesn't get its act together. If Lee continues to decline, Horvat continues to do whatever it is I've been watching, and Barzal plays more like a $6m second liner than a $9m first liner, then that's too much money locked up in underperformance to make up for elsewhere. They need to get it together and figure out how to pile up goals because I'm pretty sure as they go, the Isles go.
- UIF

I'm just not sure Lee works on the 1st line anymore? I'm more worried about Bo than Barzal. Barzal has to cleanup his game but the talent and speed is there if healthy.

Can Engvall play center? Lol
- Vukota

Otto Koivula can!

I'm just not sure Lee works on the 1st line anymore? I'm more worried about Bo than Barzal. Barzal has to cleanup his game but the talent and speed is there if healthy.
- ses111

Yeah, I'm a big believer in Barzal, but there will be even more pressure on him to shine next season given the contract he got. If he's the man, then he's gotta make his wingers into stars no matter who they are. I mean, if Tavares could make Matt Moulson a three-time 30-goal scorer, Barzal can find a way to get some more mileage out of Lee.

Yeah, I'm a big believer in Barzal, but there will be even more pressure on him to shine next season given the contract he got. If he's the man, then he's gotta make his wingers into stars no matter who they are. I mean, if Tavares could make Matt Moulson a three-time 30-goal scorer, Barzal can find a way to get some more mileage out of Lee.
- UIF

JT was a 1st overall pick though. Barzal is the much better skater but JT's overall offensive game is better. Moulson could also keep up with with JT's skating. Lee and Horvat cannot keep up with Barzal.

Can Engvall play center? Lol
- Vukota

Yeah, I'd agree with that, and welcome him back if that's the case. The market can do crazy things though, so maybe it's you and I who are wrong! I guess my point is, with limited other options, at least as far as I can see, I'd look into it. The other option is to shop in the very same marketplace that's inflating his price for a replacement.
- UIF

We will see soon enough I imagine. Lou may have given him a firm offer and Engvail and his Agent are probably making a decision which way to go. Knowing Lou they have a predetermined period of time to sign or the offer will be off the table. If he’s an Islander I bet we hear about a signing pretty soon.

Otto Koivula can!
- UIF

I feel like I’m going to still be seeing this guys name pop up five years from now and I don’t understand why nor do I like it.

Johansson just signed for 2 years @ 2 per with the Wild.

That ain’t gonna help Engvall’s case.
- Wildschwein

Yeah, I'm a big believer in Barzal, but there will be even more pressure on him to shine next season given the contract he got. If he's the man, then he's gotta make his wingers into stars no matter who they are. I mean, if Tavares could make Matt Moulson a three-time 30-goal scorer, Barzal can find a way to get some more mileage out of Lee.
- UIF

As am I. He’s an incredibly gifted skater and play maker. That said why did The Islanders play their best and most consistent hockey this season when he was out? Can’t wrap my head around this.

As am I. He’s an incredibly gifted skater and play maker. That said why did The Islanders play their best and most consistent hockey this season when he was out? Can’t wrap my head around this.
- nyisles7

My offseason predictions that I'll probably get all wrong
Bailey - Gone, Trade or Buyout
Parise - Gone, Retired
Mayfield - Gone, Overpaid on the open market
Engvall - Stays, Lou overpays unfortunately on another bottom 6 forward
Varly - Stays on a team friendly 2 yr deal
Johnston - Gone, Waived or Traded
Pageau - Gone, Traded

Lou - Not going anywhere
Lambert - Returns on an extremely short leash.
Houda - Gone
MacLean - Gone
- Vukota

Bailey - Gone, Trade or Buyout Agreed Buyout.
Parise - Gone, Retired Disagree Stays one more year.
Mayfield - Gone, Overpaid on the open market Agreed
Engvall - Stays, Lou overpays unfortunately on another bottom 6 forward Disagree Team friendly deal.
Varly - Stays on a team friendly 2 yr deal Agreed
Johnston - Gone, Waived or Traded Agreed waived..
Pageau - Gone, Traded Disagree

Lou - Not going anywhere Agreed
Lambert - Returns on an extremely short leash. Agreed
Houda - Gone Disagree
McClean - Gone Disagree