I love their officiating 'specialist' trying to say
"The hit drove through the core, so no penalty" while they show eight replays of the point of contact unquestionably being to Meier's head


Sidenote: Akira Schmid has been unreal
- keaner17

If that was on Kane or a Ranger it would have been a major

It’s amazing how many players come from the west and don’t play as they did in the west. A lot more physical play and less room.
Tank and Kane found out as did Horvat.

Again this is on the Islanders if the players are not good enough. The players did not just show up saying you are taking us. Maybe Lou should have cleaned house with the scouts and with Bridge? Did Charles give them lifetime deals like Garth? Lou's big move was Barry, but what else was done to fix things?
- ses111

Thank you for the concert! Again and again and again and again …..,,,,

Again this is on the Islanders if the players are not good enough. The players did not just show up saying you are taking us. Maybe Lou should have cleaned house with the scouts and with Bridge? Did Charles give them lifetime deals like Garth? Lou's big move was Barry, but what else was done to fix things?
- ses111

Not sure what you’re expecting when we haven’t had a first round pick in four years and that was the 23rd pick. I believe a couple of drafts we didn’t even have a second. We have the worst or close to the worst prospect pool in the NHL. Our prospects aren’t good. Not sure you can blame scouts for not finding diamonds in the rough every draft. Again, maybe we get lucky but this is what happens when you trade consecutive first round picks and whatever decent prospects you have. That’s the issue more then development or anything you’re mentioning in this post. Lameriello needs to stop trading first round picks that would solve the problem more then likely. Not sure what you’re not getting.

- nyisles7

- ses111

Best picture I found of you guys.

I love their officiating 'specialist' trying to say
"The hit drove through the core, so no penalty" while they show eight replays of the point of contact unquestionably being to Meier's head


Sidenote: Akira Schmid has been unreal
- keaner17

I was thinking the same thing...right when he said that they showed the most crushing angle of it in super slow mo

Maybe some of these teams bowing out in the first round want to give up some players that underperformed opening up some opportunities for us? I’ll say we may have dodged a bullet with Panarin. Wow.

Maybe some of these teams bowing out in the first round want to give up some players that underperformed opening up some opportunities for us? I’ll say we may have dodged a bullet with Panarin. Wow.
- Cptmjl

Not sure about that. Would you rather have Panarin or Horvat?

Not sure about that. Would you rather have Panarin or Horvat?
- PeteM

Horvat he’s 3 million bucks less.

Engvall seemed like a good fit, and adds some elements the Isles don't otherwise have. I don't know, maybe teams will be lining up to throw money at him, but I'm not sure he's up for some massive payday or anything. He just doesn't strike me as a player teams are talking about much or would go all-in for.

If he's affordable, why not bring him back? If the number on Fasching is correct ($775K?), and Parise comes back for super cheap, and Engvall can be had for a reasonable amount, then that allows the Isles to fill roster spots with decent players without shoveling out unreasonable deals for support players the way they have in the past. Maybe that frees up some money to take a swing at someone notable.
- UIF

I think the Isles are in the place they're in because they made a bunch of "affordable" signings. The best teams in the league are able to have star power because they're able to develop bottom six talent and/or make shrewd trades to fill in the bottom six roles with effective players on the cheap. Paying UFA prices for 3rd liners isn't a smart way to operate unless that's something that really puts you over the top to be a serious contender, like the Lightning did when they went out and got Coleman and Goodrow.

I think the Isles are in the place they're in because they made a bunch of "affordable" signings. The best teams in the league are able to have star power because they're able to develop bottom six talent and/or make shrewd trades to fill in the bottom six roles with effective players on the cheap. Paying UFA prices for 3rd liners isn't a smart way to operate unless that's something that really puts you over the top to be a serious contender, like the Lightning did when they went out and got Coleman and Goodrow.
- eichiefs9

Looking back, was it a mistake to give up #1's for JGP and Palms and not to acquire more proven top 6 players?

Horvat he’s 3 million bucks less.
- Cptmjl

Panarin's skill set is everything this Isles team is missing. If the Rangers want to save $3m on the cap, I'd happily trade them Horvat for Panarin straight up

Panarin's skill set is everything this Isles team is missing. If the Rangers want to save $3m on the cap, I'd happily trade them Horvat for Panarin straight up
- UIF

Incredible how Panarin was such a no show during the playoffs. Pretty much the same for Bo.

Timo Meier another western conference player who came over to the Devils and in the POs had no points and was a -3.

Panarin's skill set is everything this Isles team is missing. If the Rangers want to save $3m on the cap, I'd happily trade them Horvat for Panarin straight up
- UIF

Yeah I was joking of course at least partially. Guy is a bit older and has been completely non impactful for them in the playoffs though. I imagine him and Barzal would cause fits for the opposition. Never happening for multiple reasons of course.

I think the Isles are in the place they're in because they made a bunch of "affordable" signings. The best teams in the league are able to have star power because they're able to develop bottom six talent and/or make shrewd trades to fill in the bottom six roles with effective players on the cheap. Paying UFA prices for 3rd liners isn't a smart way to operate unless that's something that really puts you over the top to be a serious contender, like the Lightning did when they went out and got Coleman and Goodrow.
- eichiefs9

I think they got in the place they're in for paying players too much for the roles they fill (or don't fill), regardless of whether they were FAs, in-house, 4th liners, 3rd liners, 1st liners, or bench warmers. Take away the $2.5m for Hickey at that time and $1m for Johnston, and you nearly free up the money it would have taken to keep Toews, for example, and those two players barely played any games at all. That was just bad asset management and had nothing to do with signing FAs.

They've taken two stabs at bringing in a first line RW with underwhelming results, and now they'll have $13.5m tied up in those two players come next season (Horvat and Palmieri). Maybe Horvat will wake up, and Palmieri has his uses, but here we are still looking for that go-to winger with a lot of money spent on the problem already. Not the best asset management, and none of that was spent on 3rd liners.

The third line wingers the Isles did pay for in free agency are Parise and Fasching, and both are downright affordable even compared to any other team's cheap, in-house options.

Regarding Engvall specifically, we can call him a 3rd liner, but on this team he's found a role on the 2nd line. If they have a surefire upgrade in mind for that line...either a legit top-six FA who finally says "I want to play for the New York Islanders" or a trade option who can be had for Parker Wotherspoon and Lou's dirty socks (pretty much the extent of our tradable assets at this point), then sure, I'll reconsider. But right now Engvall is this team's second-best (if you consider Lee its best) LW, and if he'd come back for under $3m, I don't think that'd even show up on the radar of misguided Islander signings over the past few years. I do agree that if he thinks he'll get paid more elsewhere, then so be it...thank him for his time here and send him on his way.

I think they got in the place they're in for paying players too much for the roles they fill (or don't fill), regardless of whether they were FAs, in-house, 4th liners, 3rd liners, 1st liners, or bench warmers. Take away the $2.5m for Hickey at that time and $1m for Johnston, and you nearly free up the money it would have taken to keep Toews, for example, and those two players barely played any games at all. That was just bad asset management and had nothing to do with signing FAs.

They've taken two stabs at bringing in a first line RW with underwhelming results, and now they'll have $13.5m tied up in those two players come next season (Horvat and Palmieri). Maybe Horvat will wake up, and Palmieri has his uses, but here we are still looking for that go-to winger with a lot of money spent on the problem already. Not the best asset management, and none of that was spent on 3rd liners.

The third line wingers the Isles did pay for in free agency are Parise and Fasching, and both are downright affordable even compared to any other team's cheap, in-house options.

Regarding Engvall specifically, we can call him a 3rd liner, but on this team he's found a role on the 2nd line. If they have a surefire upgrade in mind for that line...either a legit top-six FA who finally says "I want to play for the New York Islanders" or a trade option who can be had for Parker Wotherspoon and Lou's dirty socks (pretty much the extent of our tradable assets at this point), then sure, I'll reconsider. But right now Engvall is this team's second-best (if you consider Lee its best) LW, and if he'd come back for under $3m, I don't think that'd even show up on the radar of misguided Islander signings over the past few years. I do agree that if he thinks he'll get paid more elsewhere, then so be it...thank him for his time here and send him on his way.
- UIF

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.

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

$2.75, I jump at it. $3m, I strongly consider it. $3.5m, I pass.

I'll be surprised if he gets that much for a guy with unimpressive offensive numbers who's also not your typical checking forward, but, hey, who knows. He brings some subtle skills that I think you can appreciate if you watch him enough, but I still say that's a tough sell for a GM throwing nearly $4m at him. If he gets it, God bless him.

$2.75, I jump at it. $3m, I strongly consider it. $3.5m, I pass.

I'll be surprised if he gets that much for a guy with unimpressive offensive numbers who's also not your typical checking forward, but, hey, who knows. He brings some subtle skills that I think you can appreciate if you watch him enough, but I still say that's a tough sell for a GM throwing nearly $4m at him. If he gets it, God bless him.
- UIF

I'm not entirely convinced Lou even plans to bring him back. I honestly believe Engvall was brought in as a rental/insurance when the team wasn't sure if Barzall would return. Lou didn't exactly jump at the opportunity to extend him like he has typically done after trades. Additionally, I'm not even sure Engvall wants to return. As I said yesterday, this is a lame UFA class which will likely result in overpaying for guys who can do what Pierre does. The Isles are in no position to get into bidding matches

$2.75, I jump at it. $3m, I strongly consider it. $3.5m, I pass.

I'll be surprised if he gets that much for a guy with unimpressive offensive numbers who's also not your typical checking forward, but, hey, who knows. He brings some subtle skills that I think you can appreciate if you watch him enough, but I still say that's a tough sell for a GM throwing nearly $4m at him. If he gets it, God bless him.
- UIF

Don’t see him getting 4 million either. He deserves 2.5 with his numbers. With the strong showing with the Isles 3 million but that’s tops.

I'm not entirely convinced Lou even plans to bring him back. I honestly believe Engvall was brought in as a rental/insurance when the team wasn't sure if Barzall would return. Lou didn't exactly jump at the opportunity to extend him like he has typically done after trades. Additionally, I'm not even sure Engvall wants to return. As I said yesterday, this is a lame UFA class which will likely result in overpaying for guys who can do what Pierre does. The Isles are in no position to get into bidding matches
- keaner17

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.

Don’t see him getting 4 million either. He deserves 2.5 with his numbers. With the strong showing with the Isles 3 million but that’s tops.
- nyisles7

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.

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

I'm not sure any of the later commentary here won't play into Engvall's decision as well. It's hard to tell when a player is being carefully-worded for the sake of negotiations or just really isn't all that excited about returning. Pierre essentially said that he enjoyed his time here and that was it. As far as the money aspect goes, that $4m amount has been floated about in more places than just Hockeybuzz. I don't think it's out of the question based on his 15-17 goal production over two years in this market that a $3-4m tag is possible if a team believes that number can become 20+. We paid Beau $4.25m for a couple of 18 goal campaigns.
In terms of how we replace him, that becomes more of the inconvenient truth that we likely can't. They may be forced to look internally for answers, which is why the future isn't exactly bright right now. We now have $6.1m available. We have to sign a backup goaltender. We need to likely replace Mayfield. We have to resign Bolduc, Wahlstrom, perhaps Parise. There's not much room to work with here.
A Bailey buyout may be the only other option and even that leaves us thin on the blueline if Dobson doesn't get his act together.

I'm not sure any of the later commentary here won't play into Engvall's decision as well. It's hard to tell when a player is being carefully-worded for the sake of negotiations or just really isn't all that excited about returning. Pierre essentially said that he enjoyed his time here and that was it. As far as the money aspect goes, that $4m amount has been floated about in more places than just Hockeybuzz. I don't think it's out of the question based on his 15-17 goal production over two years in this market that a $3-4m tag is possible if a team believes that number can become 20+. We paid Beau $4.25m for a couple of 18 goal campaigns.
In terms of how we replace him, that becomes more of the inconvenient truth that we likely can't. They may be forced to look internally for answers, which is why the future isn't exactly bright right now. We now have $6.1m available. We have to sign a backup goaltender. We need to likely replace Mayfield. We have to resign Bolduc, Wahlstrom, perhaps Parise. There's not much room to work with here.
A Bailey buyout may be the only other option and even that leaves us thin on the blueline if Dobson doesn't get his act together.
- keaner17

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

That ain’t gonna help Engvall’s case.