I do want to keep him, but Robertson is the same age and is a premier forward in this league. I'm confident that keeps up and I'm unsure about what direction Dobson's development is going and what his ultimate ceiling will be.
- Gabe Athaus

Would be tough to turn down a 1 for 1 deal.

Would be tough to turn down a 1 for 1 deal.
- ses111

Probably don't see it happening, things get tight real fast for the Isles cap-wise. Still going to be a very fun/interesting offseason.

Probably don't see it happening, things get tight real fast for the Isles cap-wise. Still going to be a very fun/interesting offseason.
- Gabe Athaus

Let's get the Cup over with. Will be very difficult for the Oilers if they lose again to get back to a 3rd straight Cup.

Let's get the Cup over with. Will be very difficult for the Oilers if they lose again to get back to a 3rd straight Cup.
- ses111

Massive game 4 on Thursday. If the Oil go down 3-1 they're in rough shape. 2-2 with the extra home game and it's a best of 3 series that anyone can take.

Let's get the Cup over with. Will be very difficult for the Oilers if they lose again to get back to a 3rd straight Cup.
- ses111

I think this goes 7 and you just never know who wins a game 7. Awesome hockey!

Probably don't see it happening, things get tight real fast for the Isles cap-wise. Still going to be a very fun/interesting offseason.
- Gabe Athaus

I’m excited to see a new PP. Watching the PPs of the Oil and the Panthers is making me want an isles PP that can wins games. I feel like Pulock has really never been utilized with his heavy shot. When he was drafted he was touted as having this 103 MPH clapper and yet he’s not an option on the PP?

I’m excited to see a new PP. Watching the PPs of the Oil and the Panthers is making me want an isles PP that can wins games. I feel like Pulock has really never been utilized with his heavy shot. When he was drafted he was touted as having this 103 MPH clapper and yet he’s not an option on the PP?
- kindlyrick

I'll be excited about the new PP when they have some new personnel. You can't get blood from a stone and just running it back with basically the same units every year is going to yield similar results no matter who the coach is.

I feel like they've tried Pulock in that spot plenty of times and it's just never worked out. His shot is hard but he doesn't typically find open net.

I'll be excited about the new PP when they have some new personnel. You can't get blood from a stone and just running it back with basically the same units every year is going to yield similar results no matter who the coach is.

I feel like they've tried Pulock in that spot plenty of times and it's just never worked out. His shot is hard but he doesn't typically find open net.
- Gabe Athaus

Yeah I’d like to think Darche will make additions and subtractions as needed. The PP must be addressed.
Regarding Pulock, if he’s not being utilized for his #1 asset they must find a way to move him and parlay him for a need.

Massive game 4 on Thursday. If the Oil go down 3-1 they're in rough shape. 2-2 with the extra home game and it's a best of 3 series that anyone can take.
- Gabe Athaus

Must win for the Oilers.

Yeah I’d like to think Darche will make additions and subtractions as needed. The PP must be addressed.
Regarding Pulock, if he’s not being utilized for his #1 asset they must find a way to move him and parlay him for a need.
- kindlyrick

Pulock looked really good his first playoff series and then got hurt. He never lived up on the offensive end. Similar to de Haan.

Pulock looked really good his first playoff series and then got hurt. He never lived up on the offensive end. Similar to de Haan.
- ses111

Yeah which is why I think it’s time to fish or cut bait. Figure out a way to move him and bring in a need.

Massive game 4 on Thursday. If the Oil go down 3-1 they're in rough shape. 2-2 with the extra home game and it's a best of 3 series that anyone can take.
- Gabe Athaus

That was quite a meltdown in the 3rd by the Oilers; it felt like half the team completely lost control. I get stepping over the line once in a while for the purpose of sending a message that you won't be pushed around, but the only message they sent with the spearing, slashing, and parade to the penalty box was that Florida is successfully taking them off their game.

All hypothetical and off the top of my head, thinking as I write:

I think there could potentially be a path to doing close to a 1-for-1 swap with DAL for Robertson using Dobson. Robertson is the better player but Dobson is a RHD with huge potential and that's a real rare find in the NHL. Robertson's extension will likely be more pricey than Dobson's though. Maybe they can do something like Dobson for Robertson/Dumba, and immediately buyout Dumba.

That still leaves the COL 1st round pick available to move for Howard, which would quickly revamp the forward group to look something like:

Robertson-Horvat-Barzal
Lee-Pageau-Palmieri
Howard-Ritchie-Holmstrom
Tsyplakov-Cizikas-Gatcomb
MacLean
Engvall
Duclair

Although, that creates a massive log-jam at LW at both at the team level and organizational level. Eiserman is also a LW. Having Robertson/Howard/Eiserman down the left side might be a "good" problem to have. It probably means they'd have to move someone like Tsyplakov or Lee, or buyout Engvall which Darche already said isn't happening. Trading Engvall is probably near-impossible unless they eat a ton of money or include significant assets to facilitate the deal.

Maybe they go for Robertson and don't bother with Howard. Who knows. Draft will be fun though.
- Gabe Athaus

Obviously RH Dmen are scarce. Dobson was Lou’s boy. He loved Dobson and honestly he hasn’t developed into the player Lou or the organization had hoped he would be at this point. He made huge progress with Chara by his side but hasn’t kept that upward projection going imho.
That said with Schaffer being on the table at the 1st pick. There could be some smoke here.

Pulock looked really good his first playoff series and then got hurt. He never lived up on the offensive end. Similar to de Haan.
- ses111

But he has a 105 mph slapshot. No goalie can stop that!

Obviously RH Dmen are scarce. Dobson was Lou’s boy. He loved Dobson and honestly he hasn’t developed into the player Lou or the organization had hoped he would be at this point. He made huge progress with Chara by his side but hasn’t kept that upward projection going imho.
That said with Schaffer being on the table at the 1st pick. There could be some smoke here.
- nyisles7

I think he still has plenty of time left to continue developing and I don't really want to give up on him because I think his ceiling is very high.

That said, I'd do it for Robertson. I don't think I'd do it for the 4th overall pick unless a) Utah was adding significantly more assets and b) they were moving him because they felt that they weren't going to be able to come to an agreement on a long-term extension.

Utah is up to something for sure though:

NHL Rumour Report
@NHLRumourReport
14h
Elliotte Friedman: Utah is "in the middle of a lot of things" right now - 32 Thoughts Podcast

Maybe with Schaefer eventually coming in they decide to move Romanov, who knows.

From ESPN:

Hagens also dined with the Utah Mammoth (picking fourth) and interviewed with 16 teams overall -- a wide range for a player expected to go very early. If Hagens falls out of the Top 5, you may see a team trade up to grab him because he becomes a value pick after third overall. Utah also had dinner meetings with Jake O'Brien and Brady Martin, though it is believed their 4th overall pick could be available for the right price in trade.

If Hagens is there at No. 4, and we believe he will be, there are a few people who think the Isles will make a play for that pick; one rumored deal would include multiple early-round picks. After all, Hagens did say his dream is win a Stanley Cup with the Islanders.

From ESPN:

Hagens also dined with the Utah Mammoth (picking fourth) and interviewed with 16 teams overall -- a wide range for a player expected to go very early. If Hagens falls out of the Top 5, you may see a team trade up to grab him because he becomes a value pick after third overall. Utah also had dinner meetings with Jake O'Brien and Brady Martin, though it is believed their 4th overall pick could be available for the right price in trade.

If Hagens is there at No. 4, and we believe he will be, there are a few people who think the Isles will make a play for that pick; one rumored deal would include multiple early-round picks. After all, Hagens did say his dream is win a Stanley Cup with the Islanders.
- Gabe Athaus

I would not give up anything more than Romanov and the Col pick.

If the latest rumblings are true, it seems Anaheim sure does love giving up assets for older, declining Rangers

If the latest rumblings are true, it seems Anaheim sure does love giving up assets for older, declining Rangers
- UIF

Drury must have some compromising photos of Verbeek or something He just keeps taking cap dumps off his hands and paying to do it

Drury must have some compromising photos of Verbeek or something He just keeps taking cap dumps off his hands and paying to do it
- Gabe Athaus

Good. Then he can take Mayfield and Pierre. How these teams continue to help the Rangers is ridiculous. I hope of one Darche's skills is being able to move players without paying through the nose.

If the latest rumblings are true, it seems Anaheim sure does love giving up assets for older, declining Rangers
- UIF

I saw that. Why would you give up any assets for him.

I would not give up anything more than Romanov and the Col pick.
- ses111

That seems like an overpay for a draft pick, even if it's 4th overall. Romanov was the best d-man on the Isles last season. Assuming the Isles draft Schaefer, which I hope they do, I would want Romanov in my top 4, especially as Pelech continues to age. I think Florida has proven in the past couple of playoff seasons that you can't have enough physical players. Also, Schaefer likely won't be ready for the NHL for at least a season or two.

That seems like an overpay for a draft pick, even if it's 4th overall. Romanov was the best d-man on the Isles last season. Assuming the Isles draft Schaefer, which I hope they do, I would want Romanov in my top 4, especially as Pelech continues to age. I think Florida has proven in the past couple of playoff seasons that you can't have enough physical players. Also, Schaefer likely won't be ready for the NHL for at least a season or two.
- JohnScammo

I think, like Dobson, they'd have to be far apart in negotiations for them to move him for a draft pick.

That ESPN article suggested it could be a package of picks. Maybe the Islanders give up their own pick next year with some sort of top-5/10 protection, plus something else. Who knows.

That seems like an overpay for a draft pick, even if it's 4th overall. Romanov was the best d-man on the Isles last season. Assuming the Isles draft Schaefer, which I hope they do, I would want Romanov in my top 4, especially as Pelech continues to age. I think Florida has proven in the past couple of playoff seasons that you can't have enough physical players. Also, Schaefer likely won't be ready for the NHL for at least a season or two.
- JohnScammo

It could be an overpayment and a risk John. It's great when a player wants to be an Islanders, but it's no guarantee it's going to work out well. Question, has Florida had issues keeping the physical dmen healthy? Seems to be an issue with the Islanders.

I think he still has plenty of time left to continue developing and I don't really want to give up on him because I think his ceiling is very high.

That said, I'd do it for Robertson. I don't think I'd do it for the 4th overall pick unless a) Utah was adding significantly more assets and b) they were moving him because they felt that they weren't going to be able to come to an agreement on a long-term extension.

Utah is up to something for sure though:

NHL Rumour Report
@NHLRumourReport
14h
Elliotte Friedman: Utah is "in the middle of a lot of things" right now - 32 Thoughts Podcast

Maybe with Schaefer eventually coming in they decide to move Romanov, who knows.
- Gabe Athaus

Robertson certainly will make Darsch stop and listen for sure.
Don’t know if I want to move Romanov. He is basically our most physical player let alone Dman. I think with Cal and Martin gone this past season the Islanders need more physicality not less. I would hate to lose Romy but I guess you need to listen at least. .