You shut your pirate, whore, mouth. Sorokin on the Devils for the next 5 or 6 years is a scary thought. Sign him NOW!
- potvin05

It is but we’re now in the position with having a middling team it’s a real possibility. I would think the Devils would make a huge push to sign him. They would be dumb not too.

I think it was clear Lou was all in with multiple moves. The Horvat trade obviously was the big one. Also bringing in Engvall, who I think he brought in solely as a rental was another. Not trading Varlamov, despite only playing him two games since the deadline was another. Not trading Mayfield.

Lou obviously felt that this team was only a piece or two away from getting right back where they were two years ago. Hell, he may have been right, but I think he gambled on the wrong pieces. This is essentially the third franchise in recent history that he's sold current assets for a win-now approach. It seems the conveyor belt of contracts and their expirations don't really favor the Isles for turning this around real soon.

At the very least, we're likely looking at the same team next year, minus Mayfield and Engvall. Meanwhile we'll go through yet another first round without a pick. I suppose the scary thing here is wondering what Lou might do to try and tweak them for next year's playoff run. The only good news here is no UFA's will turn us down this year....we can't afford to make an offer.

I mean yeah we can call Ishakov up I guess at some point but who else? Dufour? We know what we have there that kid is far out from contributing unless he takes some monumental leap in his development. Durandeau I guess you could make a case for he looked decent in spots. My point being is we looked at a bunch of young players this past season some of which got some real playing time. What I’m saying is to me it seems redundant. I’m saying that knowing we should always evaluate players I just don’t see how we carve out this year for focusing on that. We did it already. We know what we have. Also, even with buying out Bailey we’re going to have to move a five million plus a yr player to accommodate some substantial player. That’s without even factoring in signing Sorokin the following season.
- Cptmjl

Redundant unless you're trying to retool. Then it makes sense.

Let the kids sink or swim. If they swim, then great. If not, then the draft picks only get better.

Yeah, because no experts picked Boston. Dude, I didn’t see one person, period, pick Florida to win this series. It’s a little more than “Internet GMs” and “HB.”
- potvin05

That’s exactly why I said what I said. HB and internet GMs are experts!
I did tell JS off the thread the Bs were going to lose.

Fasching extended?

I'm not saying everyone, or even hardly anyone, picked Florida (I thought that had a shot and didn't think Boston was as good as their record).
My point was that most people realize that Florida was a previous Presidents cup winner who added Tkachuk yet barely made the playoffs. I certainly felt they were a lot better than a game 82 entry and a dangerous team to play.
- keaner17

Totally understand and that’s why they play the games. Boston was a machine this season breaking all win and season point records.
That’s why the mantra is just get in. The regular season doesn’t matter. Which obviously you know. Look at all these first rounds. No easy wins for anyone and all very close.
Now Let’s Go Devils!

Totally understand and that’s why they play the games. Boston was a machine this season breaking all win and season point records.
That’s why the mantra is just get in. The regular season doesn’t matter. Which obviously you know. Look at all these first rounds. No easy wins for anyone and all very close.
Now Let’s Go Devils!
- nyisles7

I think it's a credit to Jim Montgomery that he kept the Bruins laser-focused all season long. When I saw their record early on I kept thinking "I didn't think they made that many offseason moves, how are they suddenly THIS good?"
I think the answer is that he got them to play their best hockey night in and night out through the regular season. When playoff time came, the world caught up. As I mentioned, Florida was a much better team than their record indicated. They were true cup contenders that floundered early on. It wouldn't shock me if they went all the way, frankly. They're built for hockey in May.

Trotz gave break up day interviews every year. Lou I’m not so sure ever did.
Fasching was signed so I’m guessing Lou is still on board.

Reinforcement coming!


ISLANDERS SIGN MAGGIO

EAST MEADOW, NY (May 1, 2023) – The New York Islanders have signed forward Matthew Maggio to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Maggio, 20, led the Ontario Hockey League in goals (54) and points (111) in 66 games with the Windsor Spitfires. The Tecumseh, ON, native’s +41 rating was the second highest in the league, while his 57 assists were tied for sixth. At the conclusion of his junior campaign, Maggio joined the Bridgeport Islanders and recorded a pair of assists in three games.

The Islanders selected Maggio in the fifth round (142nd overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft. In 212 career OHL games over four seasons with Windsor and the Ottawa 67’s, Maggio has 217 points (99 goals, 118 assists). He added 19 points (eight goals, 11 assists) in 29 career OHL playoff games, including a 25-game run in 2022 that helped Windsor reach the OHL Finals.

I think it's a credit to Jim Montgomery that he kept the Bruins laser-focused all season long. When I saw their record early on I kept thinking "I didn't think they made that many offseason moves, how are they suddenly THIS good?"
I think the answer is that he got them to play their best hockey night in and night out through the regular season. When playoff time came, the world caught up. As I mentioned, Florida was a much better team than their record indicated. They were true cup contenders that floundered early on. It wouldn't shock me if they went all the way, frankly. They're built for hockey in May.
- keaner17

Yeah they played well for sure.
Ullmark (sp?) wasn’t good. He was a big part of their seasons success and just didn’t step up in the POs. Boston is getting long in the tooth and don’t think they will be quite as good next year. I think the Leafs beat the Cats.

Trotz gave break up day interviews every year. Lou I’m not so sure ever did.
Fasching was signed so I’m guessing Lou is still on board.
- nyisles7

Yeah, it’d be weird if he was giving out contracts prior to getting turfed.

But then again, Chiarelli was doing exactly that before he was canned, so who knows.

Fasching is 775k per

Yeah, it’d be weird if he was giving out contracts prior to getting turfed.

But then again, Chiarelli was doing exactly that before he was canned, so who knows.
- Wildschwein

I don’t think you can mention Chiarelli in the same sentence as Lou.

Redundant unless you're trying to retool. Then it makes sense.

Let the kids sink or swim. If they swim, then great. If not, then the draft picks only get better.
- Wildschwein

Like I said in an earlier post the time to retool was this past TDL imo. Instead we gave up our first and our best prospect. We could’ve traded our UFA’s and got some more assets to make trades. Doing it this year in Sorokin’s contract year after signing Horvat seems a bit jumbled to me. I also doubt Lou goes that route after doing what he did and giving up what he did.

I don’t think you can mention Chiarelli in the same sentence as Lou.
- nyisles7

Well…

They're both bald and won a Cup?

If Parise wants to come back for minimum I am all for it unless he would be specifically blocking a young player from playing time. Varly coming back has to be for no more than half of what he was making. I think Bailey sees the writing on the wall. Maybe he will ask for a trade??? Please. The rest, I still say they have to trade someone. But what do I know.

Like I said in an earlier post the time to retool was this past TDL imo. Instead we gave up our first and our best prospect. We could’ve traded our UFA’s and got some more assets to make trades. Doing it this year in Sorokin’s contract year after signing Horvat seems a bit jumbled to me. I also doubt Lou goes that route after doing what he did and giving up what he did.
- Cptmjl

Can totally understand that. But the Horvat deal doesn’t preclude a retool. If anything, it may even shorten the time required to do so.

On Twitter a minute ago. Bailey said he has 1 year left and plans on playing it out.

Can totally understand that. But better the Horvat deal doesn’t preclude a retool. If anything, it may even shorten the time required to do so.
- Wildschwein

Agree. Bo and Barzal are nice 1st line pieces.

If Parise wants to come back for minimum I am all for it unless he would be specifically blocking a young player from playing time. Varly coming back has to be for no more than half of what he was making. I think Bailey sees the writing on the wall. Maybe he will ask for a trade??? Please. The rest, I still say they have to trade someone. But what do I know.
- chazpet

He can ask for a trade all he wants. I’m all for it. Problem is you need someone to want him.

On Twitter a minute ago. Bailey said he has 1 year left and plans on playing it out.
- chazpet

Hopefully we don’t plan on letting that happen.

Well…

They're both bald and won a Cup?
- Wildschwein

Can totally understand that. But better the Horvat deal doesn’t preclude a retool. If anything, it may even shorten the time required to do so.
- Wildschwein

I like any other sane person expects Horvat to play a heck of a lot better but I would have a hard time understanding doing a retool now under the circumstances I pointed out. Maybe he does but I can’t see it. Again, it makes no sense after what he just did and gave up but who knows I guess. If he does do it, to me, it makes what he did at the TDL look even more ridiculous after giving up a first and Raty. Even before seeing his uninspired play I would think sacrificing the most obvious, optimum, time to do a retool with the strength of this draft to sign Horvat would be pretty dumb imo. But like I said who knows but I bet he doesn’t.

With Fasching they have 13 forwards signed for next year. Thats not counting Engvall, Wally or Parise. Someone has to go to either bring those 3 back or to bring in someone else. I guess Holmstrom and Johnston could be sent down. So I still say they trade someone besides Bailey.

With Fasching they have 13 forwards signed for next year. Thats not counting Engvall, Wally or Parise. Someone has to go to either bring those 3 back or to bring in someone else. I guess Holmstrom and Johnston could be sent down. So I still say they trade someone besides Bailey.
- chazpet

Buyout Bailey. His last year isn’t prohibitive.