Ben Shelley: Islanders should steer clear of deadline rentals

Thank You for the write up Ben! Lou will have a difficult decision to make. Pageau fits a need for sure. If I can make a deal around Otto plus I would be interested. No interest in moving Dobson for a rental.

Totally disagree with you on this Ben.
How likely was it that The Blues we’re winning the Cup at this point last year?
The POs are about defense not offense. Of course you need to score but keeping the puck out of your net is key. Ask Toronto and Tampa how the offensive production helped them in the POs. As a matter of fact the Capitals pre Trotz were an offensive dynamo that never had success in the POs until they learned how to play defense.
If the Islanders can add to their forward group for a PO run I say now’s the time to take a flyer on it.
This team is for real you need to go for it when the opportunity knocks.

Totally disagree with you on this Bem.
How likely was it that The Blues we’re winning the Cup at this point last year.
The POs are about defense not offense. Of course you need to score but keeping the puck out of your net is key. Ask Toronto and Tampa how the offensive production helped them in the POs. As a matter of fact the Capitals pre Trotz were an offensive dynamo that never had success in the POs until they learned how to play defense.
If the Islanders can add to their forward group for a PO run I say now’s the time to take a flyer on it.
This team is for real you need to go for it when the opportunity knocks.
- nyisles7

Agreed and I’ll also add;

“Would the likes of Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Vladislav Namestnikov or Tyler Toffoli really make the difference in winning or not winning a Stanley Cup?”

Pageau or bust at this point and I think he can add a ton to this team as our third line center. Potentially that depth could have almost more of a positive effect on this team by allowing our top six players to stay in the top 6. We don’t need a star we need depth and it’s kind of a forgone conclusion we need a third line center. Hall would’ve been great but Pageau could be great also. His price just dropped also😂

Also I’ll add again, we’re third in the league and picked up right where we left off last season. Team is playing incredible. When do we qualify as Stanley Cup contenders?😂

Agreed and I’ll also add;

“Would the likes of Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Vladislav Namestnikov or Tyler Toffoli really make the difference in winning or not winning a Stanley Cup?”

Pageau or bust at this point and I think he can add a ton to this team as our third line center. Potentially that depth could have almost more of a positive effect on this team by allowing our top six players to stay in the top 6. We don’t need a star we need depth and it’s kind of a forgone conclusion we need a third line center. Hall would’ve been great but Pageau could be great also. His price just dropped also😂

Also I’ll add again, we’re third in the league and picked up right where we left off last season. Team is playing incredible. When do we qualify as Stanley Cup contenders?
- Cptmjl

Exactly Cpt.
This team is legit. Nelson and Beau have stepped it up. Our D is playing very well and the goaltending has left off right where they were last year. At some point you have to reach down and grab your balls and go for it.
The Yotes just did. Good for them, I’m sure their fan base is stoked Hall will be joining them for the run. Will they win, no one knows but they sure as hell have a better shot with Hall then the picks and prospects they gave up for him.

As you and I have discussed recently, Pageau would be a nice addition and fill a soft spot at center and keep Brassard on the wing.

Agreed and I’ll also add;

“Would the likes of Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Vladislav Namestnikov or Tyler Toffoli really make the difference in winning or not winning a Stanley Cup?”

Pageau or bust at this point and I think he can add a ton to this team as our third line center. Potentially that depth could have almost more of a positive effect on this team by allowing our top six players to stay in the top 6. We don’t need a star we need depth and it’s kind of a forgone conclusion we need a third line center. Hall would’ve been great but Pageau could be great also. His price just dropped also😂

Also I’ll add again, we’re third in the league and picked up right where we left off last season. Team is playing incredible. When do we qualify as Stanley Cup contenders?😂
- Cptmjl

I think Lou has to do what he can to get Pageau and Pageau might be willing to re-sign. I just do not think Lou can go into the playoffs with this exact roster. Lou needs to end his streak of no deadline deals.

Exactly Cpt.
This team is legit. Nelson and Beau have stepped it up. Our D is playing very well and the goaltending has left off right where they were last year. At some point you have to reach down and grab your balls and go for it.
The Yotes just did. Good for them, I’m sure their fan base is stoked Hall will be joining them for the run. Will they win, no one knows but they sure as hell have a better shot with Hall then the picks and prospects they gave up for him.
- nyisles7

Looks like the return is pretty underwhelming the Devils got we could’ve definitely outbid them without really hurting our prospect depth too much imo. I’m not sure if being in their division played a role but I would think not too much imo we’re not the Rangers. Are you pissed Lameriello didn’t trade for Hall?

I think Lou has to do what he can to get Pageau and Pageau might be willing to re-sign. I just do not think Lou can go into the playoffs with this exact roster. Lou needs to end his streak of no deadline deals.
- ses111

If he wants to add it would be better to make it happen now even if that means paying more up front. Get the player acclimated much sooner...

Looks like the return is pretty underwhelming the Devils got we could’ve definitely outbid them imo. I’m not sure of being in their division played a role but I would think not too much imo we’re not the Rangers. Are you pissed Lameriello didn’t trade for Hall?
- Cptmjl

I’m not pissed, however I’m not happy either. You have to think that Lou was in there hard and for whatever reason which we obviously don’t know he didn’t get Hall.
I guess him going out west and not to our conference is a silver lining.

If he wants to add it would be better to make it happen now even if that means paying more up front. Get the player acclimated much sooner...
- Cptmjl

Totally agree. Problem is some teams on the fence aren’t ready to trade until they are out of the PO picture.

What do you think about Kreider for a rental?

If he wants to add it would be better to make it happen now even if that means paying more up front. Get the player acclimated much sooner...
- Cptmjl

I'm interested to see Hall's trade has any affect on other GM's deciding to move now instead of waiting until the trade deadline. I have a feeling it won't, but if they think they can get more for guys now then they might be inclined to go for it early. Roster freeze is Thursday.

Granlund is another buy-low guy I like. He was great with the Wild but has struggled a bit with Nashville. UFA-to-be that would be great depth and shouldn't cost a ton.

Totally agree. Problem is some teams on the fence aren’t ready to trade until they are out of the PO picture.

What do you think about Kreider for a rental?
- nyisles7

Love Kreider but given that there's been one Islanders-Rangers trade in like the last 50 years (and a majorly-insignificant one at that) I'm not holding my breath for that.

Totally agree. Problem is some teams on the fence aren’t ready to trade until they are out of the PO picture.

What do you think about Kreider for a rental?
- nyisles7

Not a fan. Guy is the epitome of inconsistent in every aspect of his game. He’s having himself a good season but meh. Plus he’s a ranger (frank) him.

Not a fan. Guy is the epitome of inconsistent in every aspect of his game. He’s having himself a good season but not a fan. Plus he’s a ranger (frank) him.
- Cptmjl

Yeah but wouldn't it be awesome for them to have to watch him succeed with us?

He also just scored

I'm interested to see Hall's trade has any affect on other GM's deciding to move now instead of waiting until the trade deadline. I have a feeling it won't, but if they think they can get more for guys now then they might be inclined to go for it early. Roster freeze is Thursday.

Granlund is another buy-low guy I like. He was great with the Wild but has struggled a bit with Nashville. UFA-to-be that would be great depth and shouldn't cost a ton.
- eichiefs9

Was thinking the same thing. You would have to think a player like Pageau holds more value if traded now with more term. Plus a team like Ottawa who just crapped the bed taking chances on a couple trades not long ago and losing a high draft pick in the process would be more apt to make a trade then risk a possible injury between now and the deadline. Makes sense to me if there are teams knocking on their door but like you said they’ll probably wait.

Yeah but wouldn't it be awesome for them to have to watch him succeed with us?

He also just scored
- eichiefs9

They would also love it if they saw inconsistent no contact Kreider on the Islanders that they know so well. At least Brassard got decontaminated through a couple teams before he came here.😂

Athletic breakdown of the prospects the Devils got. Pretty unspectacular, but I think it's becoming clear that the market is in an ongoing adjustment where GM's are starting to value their first rounders and top prospects more and more. Even higher-end rentals aren't going to go for as much as they may have in the past.

The key to this package is the 2020 first-rounder. Devils fans should be openly rooting against the Coyotes because it provides the most hope for an elite player. Even though it’s protected outside the top three, if it’s a top 10 pick that changes the equation here. But if Arizona continues to play well and it drops well into the 20s, that lowers the appeal.

“I don’t think there’s much difference in this draft between 20 and 40,” said one talent evaluator on Monday.

The Coyotes were able to add a star without touching their most prized prospects – Barrett Hayton and Victor Soderstrom. One source also pointed out that none of the prospects in this deal were drafted since Lindsay Hofford was named director of scouting in Arizona, so they’re from a previous regime.

Of the three prospects, the Devils are most excited about defenseman Kevin Bahl, who is currently playing for the Ottawa 67’s. They love his size (he’s 6-foot-7) and his mobility. He appears to be a legit NHL prospect, the debate is more about his ceiling.

“I appreciate the way he plays,” said an amateur scout on Monday. “He’s very simple. He’s not going to wow you. There’s a connection there with (New Jersey) and Ottawa. They’ve drafted quite a few kids with Ottawa. He’s going to be a PK guy, physical. But puck skills and being able to make high end plays – that’s not him.”

This scout saw him as a good skating, hard playing, shut down defensive defenseman. A nice piece but not top pair.

Schnarr is a third-round pick from 2017 who is in his first AHL season.

“Two-way center. I don’t see him more than possible third or fourth line upside,” said an amateur scout. “Borderline AHL call-up.”

Merkley is a first-round pick from 2015 but still hasn’t made his impact at the NHL level in part because of injury issues. He has a completely torn ACL on his record along with a history of shoulder injuries.

He’s a player loved by teammates.

“When (the Coyotes) drafted Merkley, I think their projection was a little bit higher,” said an amateur scout. “He’s got lots of character. He’s a rink rat. It’s his skating. I’m a little bit concerned what he’s going to be able to do at the NHL level because of it.”

Not a fan. Guy is the epitome of inconsistent in every aspect of his game. He’s having himself a good season but not a fan. Plus he’s a ranger (frank) him.
- Cptmjl

Has some speed and can score but yes inconsistent for sure. Would be fun to see Trotz give him a kick in the ass and change him up

If he wants to add it would be better to make it happen now even if that means paying more up front. Get the player acclimated much sooner...
- Cptmjl

Now would be nice but most teams probably want to wait for the deadline.

Now would be nice but most teams probably want to wait for the deadline.
- ses111

Or until they are out of PO contention.

Has some speed and can score but yes inconsistent for sure. Would be fun to see Trotz give him a kick in the ass and change him up
- nyisles7

To me if we’re not getting a legit top line forward we should be looking to fill that 3rd line center spot. Trotz may work some magic with the guy but I think what’s more funny right now is those proposed trades on their thread just went in the crapper after what Hall got😂

Or until they are out of PO contention.
- nyisles7

Senators were out of playoff contention before the season started😂

How about another Ranger castoff Duclair? 🤮

Senators were out of playoff contention before the season started😂

How about another Ranger castoff Duclair? 🤮
- Cptmjl

The way Duclair is playing he might cost more than Hall

I suspect he'll be #1 or #2 on their "must sign" list this summer

The way Duclair is playing he might cost more than Hall

I suspect he'll be #1 or #2 on their "must sign" list this summer
- eichiefs9

He’s kicking ass but that was a joke. Haven’t watched a senator game this season but I can’t get over any time I’ve watched him play. No thanks. Doesn’t fit this teams mold. Pageau or bust.

He’s kicking ass but that was a joke. Haven’t watched a senator game this season but I can’t get over any time I’ve watched him play. No thanks. Doesn’t fit this teams mold.
- Cptmjl

He probably doesn't fit, but it's almost certainly a moot point anyway.

I'd still love to pry Labanc out of San Jose. If they fall out of the playoff race they could be an interesting seller. He's going to be an RFA still when his 1yr deal expires and he's a local guy, I like that idea a lot. Doesn't fill in the 3C spot, but he's young and talented and shouldn't be unreasonably expensive.