god no. If Ekblad leaves FLA some team is going to make a colossal mistake in signing him to a big ticket. He's slowing down fast.
- Gabe Athaus

Unless they front load, where the buyout in year 4 or 5 is minimal. 🤷‍♂️. I’m just throwing darts at the board. He could be a good mentor for Schaefer..

Unless they front load, where the buyout in year 4 or 5 is minimal. 🤷‍♂️. I’m just throwing darts at the board. He could be a good mentor for Schaefer..
- kindlyrick

Maybe, but still. He got his cookie(s) the last two years. He's going to look to sign a big ticket and probably just coast for the rest of his career. I think they can get a mentor for cheaper if that's the main goal.

Frank Seravalli
@frank_seravalli
9s
Sources indicate #isles have shifted approach in Noah Dobson talks from roster players to futures and Round 1 picks tonight.

Belief is NYI seeking to package return to reach up and grab Long Island native James Hagens.

Lot of work ahead for Darche to make #Schaegens a reality.

Frank Seravalli
@frank_seravalli
9s
Sources indicate #isles have shifted approach in Noah Dobson talks from roster players to futures and Round 1 picks tonight.

Belief is NYI seeking to package return to reach up and grab Long Island native James Hagens.

Lot of work ahead for Darche to make #Schaegens a reality.
- Gabe Athaus

Schaegens lol. Clever

That’s some rebuild talk right there. I’m into it. Let’s get this ship on the right path. It’s about time we didn’t get “the better Lindross”

I’d think that it’s ideal to have a lefty and righty on your top pair, especially for PP1. But if moving Dobson achieves the goal of bettering this roster I’m ok with it. I like the idea of Tony D short term as he looked super solid for the short time he was here. After all this public tweeting about Dobson (something we’re not used to) it’s clear that Darche is forming this team and I’m confident if he drafts Schaefer that he will get him his partner for the top pair.
- kindlyrick

I always got my panties bunched up when we played two Lefty D men together, or had an entire line of Lefties, but after watching the Panthers dominate to win the cup again playing with multiple Left handed shots, I am not as hung up on this. Ideally you would like some balance, but it obviously isn't as important if you have the right players.

Nonetheless, exciting time to be an Islander fan!!

Yes. The Hagens pick plus maybe a prospect would do it. Or the Hagens pick plus even a pick in next year's draft.
- JohnScammo

We are aligned.
Honestly I think Dobson is extremely talented but I don’t think he’s the sharpest knife in the drawer. I think that’s his biggest problem.

David Pagnotta
@TheFourthPeriod
14s
Columbus and Montreal have been discussing their first rounders with teams. Habs have picks 16+17, Blue Jackets have picks 14+20. If a team trades one or both, a roster player may join the package. Voronkov may be in play from CBJ end.

David Pagnotta
@TheFourthPeriod
14s
Columbus and Montreal have been discussing their first rounders with teams. Habs have picks 16+17, Blue Jackets have picks 14+20. If a team trades one or both, a roster player may join the package. Voronkov may be in play from CBJ end.
- Gabe Athaus

I think Shaegens is the end goal with trading Dobson if at all possible.
That said Darsch isn’t going to reneg a deal that makes the Isles better now or in the near future.

A pair of mid first rounders in this draft would be underwhelming, so adding a prospect would be key. The drop off from the top five is always significant but it's cliff-like this year especially.

A pair of mid first rounders in this draft would be underwhelming, so adding a prospect would be key. The drop off from the top five is always significant but it's cliff-like this year especially.
- keaner17

Sounds like it's just the first step in trading up into the early part of the round, what pick exactly is anyone's guess right now. But I doubt he'd be doing it if he didn't speak to whatever team's pick he wants for Hagens and have an understanding of whether they'd do it for Montreal's picks + whatever or not

Sounds like it's just the first step in trading up into the early part of the round, what pick exactly is anyone's guess right now. But I doubt he'd be doing it if he didn't speak to whatever team's pick he wants for Hagens and have an understanding of whether they'd do it for Montreal's picks + whatever or not
- Gabe Athaus

I think it would be a wait and see, regardless. There's no telling what happens with Utah’s pick. There's also no guarantee that Hagens is the end goal here, though he certainly must be on their radar. Ultimately they have to trade Dobbins and he has the leverage. As I said earlier, I don't think Dobson gets you a top five pick , given the situation, and I don't think 15&16 do either. So it depends on what other elements are involved.

I think it would be a wait and see, regardless. There's no telling what happens with Utah’s pick. There's also no guarantee that Hagens is the end goal here, though he certainly must be on their radar. Ultimately they have to trade Dobbins and he has the leverage. As I said earlier, I don't think Dobson gets you a top five pick , given the situation, and I don't think 15&16 do either. So it depends on what other elements are involved.
- keaner17

I think the Isles have decent leverage here, at least when it comes to the trade front. They have an in-demand young RHD that multiple teams are bidding over. It's been a minute since the Isles were in this kind of position.

I think it would be a wait and see, regardless. There's no telling what happens with Utah’s pick. There's also no guarantee that Hagens is the end goal here, though he certainly must be on their radar. Ultimately they have to trade Dobbins and he has the leverage. As I said earlier, I don't think Dobson gets you a top five pick , given the situation, and I don't think 15&16 do either. So it depends on what other elements are involved.
- keaner17

Apparently Dobson wants to stay in the East, so that eliminates SJS at 2, CHI at 3, Utah at 4, and NSH at 5. PHI/BOS have 6th and 7th picks.

I'm betting it's Montreal and the return is something like both 1st rounders + one of Mailloux or Reinbacher. Maybe Hage instead. Mailloux and Reinbacher are both RHD, so that seems to make more sense.

I think the Isles have decent leverage here, at least when it comes to the trade front. They have an in-demand young RHD that multiple teams are bidding over. It's been a minute since the Isles were in this kind of position.
- UIF

I dunno. Dobson narrows down the field when he suggests he only wants to sign with an east coast team. Then his financial demand further impacts those options.
The only real leverage we have then is to say 'Fine, you sit the year out'

I dunno. Dobson narrows down the field when he suggests he only wants to sign with an east coast team. Then his financial demand further impacts those options.
The only real leverage we have then is to say 'Fine, you sit the year out'
- keaner17

They can go to arbitration and get him on a 1 year deal at whatever the arbiter awards him. But then he's a pending UFA and they lose all leverage and he effectively just becomes a rental, albeit a very good one.

Chris Johnston
@reporterchris
26s
NEWS: John Tavares signs a four-year extension with the #leafs carrying a $4.38M AAV.

Chris Johnston
@reporterchris
26s
NEWS: John Tavares signs a four-year extension with the #leafs carrying a $4.38M AAV.
- Gabe Athaus

Wow...word was it was dragging out a bit because he was upset they offered him so little, and they apparently said, "Shut up, John, and take it," and he meekly said, "OK."

Honestly, great deal for the Leafs to basically get a 100% discount on a talented center who's still putting up really good numbers.

A pair of mid first rounders in this draft would be underwhelming, so adding a prospect would be key. The drop off from the top five is always significant but it's cliff-like this year especially.
- keaner17

I totally agree on the draft after #5. I think if Montreal or Columbus are involved it may be a 3 way trade that gets the Isles a true shot at Hagens, so fifth pick or better.
After #5 as you said the is underwhelming.

I totally agree on the draft after #5. I think if Montreal or Columbus are involved it may be a 3 way trade that gets the Isles a true shot at Hagens, so fifth pick or better.
After #5 as you said the is underwhelming.
- nyisles7

I think it's really after like pick 9 or 10 is when it starts to drop off.

Top 10, in no particular order, should be some mix of:

Schaefer, Misa, Frondell, Desnoyers, Martone, O'Brien, Martin, Hagens, and McQueen if teams are comfortable with his back injury. He'd have been a top 3-5 pick if he were healthy.

Chris Johnston
@reporterchris
26s
NEWS: John Tavares signs a four-year extension with the #leafs carrying a $4.38M AAV.
- Gabe Athaus

Interesting. Gotta respect the pay cut….he still puts up pts

I think it's really after like pick 9 or 10 is when it starts to drop off.

Top 10, in no particular order, should be some mix of:

Schaefer, Misa, Frondell, Desnoyers, Martone, O'Brien, Martin, Hagens, and McQueen if teams are comfortable with his back injury. He'd have been a top 3-5 pick if he were healthy.
- Gabe Athaus

Well, by all right, there's Schaefer alone in the top tier. I think tier two us Misa, Hagens, Martone and Frondell. After that, there's a notable drop. McQueen is interesting, since he's huge and can skate really well. The reality is a lot of those guys from say 6-10 would be late first rounders next year

I think it's really after like pick 9 or 10 is when it starts to drop off.

Top 10, in no particular order, should be some mix of:

Schaefer, Misa, Frondell, Desnoyers, Martone, O'Brien, Martin, Hagens, and McQueen if teams are comfortable with his back injury. He'd have been a top 3-5 pick if he were healthy.
- Gabe Athaus

If the Habs are offering Logan Mallioux, Mike Matheson and the 16th and 17th this year it’s a do. That, coupled with whatever other assets give Darche a real shot at landing in the top 10.
Mallioux is a RHD who is a PP guy with a great shot and a great pass. Could be a nice tandem with Schaefer

Kevin Weeks saying its done. Dobson to Habs breaking news, but never gave the return. Lol


Stefen Rosner

Believe 23-year-old Emil Heineman is part of the return. Also believe both MTL picks (No. 16 & No. 17) will be part of this as well.

We will wait for official wording.


Noah Dobson is being traded to Montreal and signing an 8x$9.5M extension with the Canadiens

Kevin Weeks saying its done. Dobson to Habs breaking news, but never gave the return. Lol


Stefen Rosner

Believe 23-year-old Emil Heineman is part of the return. Also believe both MTL picks (No. 16 & No. 17) will be part of this as well.

We will wait for official wording.


Noah Dobson is being traded to Montreal and signing an 8x$9.5M extension with the Canadiens
- kindlyrick

Interesting that suggestions are he was willing to take less money to leave