Ben Shelley: Islanders face dilemma on whether to trade 13th overall pick

He'd have to be creative as hell to make it work cap space wise for a noticeable upgrade. There is no harm in tying in a good offensive prospect while you make the small moves to free up cap space in the next year.

Why isn’t the team’s core overly young?

Because it’s the same core we had when 🐴hole took the team over 4 years ago!

Why doesn’t the team have many young valuable assets?

Because 🐴hole has squandered away most of his premium draft picks for garbage and the ones he has used have been for the most part on nobodies. He has only two picks in 4 drafts that have ever played an NHL game and those were slam dunk lottery picks that no idiot could have screwed up.

Seems like the oil could use varly. Maybe Nug-Hop comes back and we add a few pieces w Varly and find a suitable backup in the secondary market?

Seems like the oil could use varly. Maybe Nug-Hop comes back and we add a few pieces w Varly and find a suitable backup in the secondary market?
- streaks

Varlamov reportedly wouldn't waive his partial NTC for EDM and Nugent-Hopkins has a full NMC.

Even without trade protection though I don't think they're in the same ballpark value-wise, especially considering the difference in age and contract term between them (plus Nugent-Hopkins' extremely team-friendly cap hit).

I think the ideal option would probably be to move Varlamov for draft picks and cap space, then have the option to move the picks/use cap space elsewhere.

Why isn’t the team’s core overly young?

Because it’s the same core we had when 🐴hole took the team over 4 years ago!

Why doesn’t the team have many young valuable assets?

Because 🐴hole has squandered away most of his premium draft picks for garbage and the ones he has used have been for the most part on nobodies. He has only two picks in 4 drafts that have ever played an NHL game and those were slam dunk lottery picks that no idiot could have screwed up.
- BringNYIhome

Are you blaming this on Snow or Lou?

Why isn’t the team’s core overly young?

Because it’s the same core we had when 🐴hole took the team over 4 years ago!

Why doesn’t the team have many young valuable assets?

Because 🐴hole has squandered away most of his premium draft picks for garbage and the ones he has used have been for the most part on nobodies. He has only two picks in 4 drafts that have ever played an NHL game and those were slam dunk lottery picks that no idiot could have screwed up.
- BringNYIhome

Barzal needs some more time we should all be willing to give it to him. This is a big offseason for Barzal. I’ll hold my judgement till the start of the season.

Are you blaming this on Snow or Lou?
- Nfdbulldawg

Yes

I have always been in favor of trading draft picks for established players. My reasoning has always been that there is no guarantee what the pick will be or how long it will take to develop.

My feeling is the same with this pick. If there is any doubt in player that the Isles would be selecting, more the pick. Especially if it will help the current team on its closing window of opportunity.

Varlamov reportedly wouldn't waive his partial NTC for EDM and Nugent-Hopkins has a full NMC.

Even without trade protection though I don't think they're in the same ballpark value-wise, especially considering the difference in age and contract term between them (plus Nugent-Hopkins' extremely team-friendly cap hit).

I think the ideal option would probably be to move Varlamov for draft picks and cap space, then have the option to move the picks/use cap space elsewhere.
- Ben.Shelley.

Ok we’ll take Draisaitl then. But seriously, I knew RNH was signed to a friendly contract, but failed to remember the NTC.

The Oilers are in serious need of a goalie - and we need a top line winger. You’re probably right that Varly isn’t the piece that brings that back.

Why isn’t the team’s core overly young?

Because it’s the same core we had when 🐴hole took the team over 4 years ago!

Why doesn’t the team have many young valuable assets?

Because 🐴hole has squandered away most of his premium draft picks for garbage and the ones he has used have been for the most part on nobodies. He has only two picks in 4 drafts that have ever played an NHL game and those were slam dunk lottery picks that no idiot could have screwed up.
- BringNYIhome

The 2 years of no 1st rd pick those picks would have been 28 or 29th overall, please STFU! I guess you miss Garth and Cappy? And slam dunk picks? Rags took Kratsov before Isles picked, slam dunk?

Ok we’ll take Draisaitl then. But seriously, I knew RNH was signed to a friendly contract, but failed to remember the NTC.

The Oilers are in serious need of a goalie - and we need a top line winger. You’re probably right that Varly isn’t the piece that brings that back.
- streaks

Nope not enough most likely but after the shalacking they’re getting from the ‘lanche who knows how much more it would take? Not sure about Varlamov’s final yr contract status and don’t feel like looking it up but I’m not sure Lameriello parts ways with him anyway. I think he values having two capable goaltenders and may find another way to dump salary.

Nope not enough most likely but after the shalacking they’re getting from the ‘lanche who knows how much more it would take? Not sure about Varlamov’s final yr contract status and don’t feel like looking it up but I’m not sure Lameriello parts ways with him anyway. I think he values having two capable goaltenders and may find another way to dump salary.
- Cptmjl

Varly is a UFA after next season.

Nope not enough most likely but after the shalacking they’re getting from the ‘lanche who knows how much more it would take? Not sure about Varlamov’s final yr contract status and don’t feel like looking it up but I’m not sure Lameriello parts ways with him anyway. I think he values having two capable goaltenders and may find another way to dump salary.
- Cptmjl

Bailey is a must trade. Will be interesting to see if the Isles can sign a big UFA. The building is no longer an excuse.

Are you blaming this on Snow or Lou?
- Nfdbulldawg

Who has been the GM the past 4 years? It’s pretty obvious who’s to blame

Barzal needs some more time we should all be willing to give it to him. This is a big offseason for Barzal. I’ll hold my judgement till the start of the season.
- Cptmjl

Agreed. Lou needs to find the right talent to allow Barzal to succeed. Barzy is incredibly talented. But he needs a talented sniper. We’ve all known this for years. Hopefully Lou does as well

The 2 years of no 1st rd pick those picks would have been 28 or 29th overall, please STFU! I guess you miss Garth and Cappy? And slam dunk picks? Rags took Kratsov before Isles picked, slam dunk?
- HolyDiver83

The Rags ruined KraVtsov. And you STFU. We missed the playoffs by a mile and blow holes like you still think Lou is doing a great job

Bailey is a must trade. Will be interesting to see if the Isles can sign a big UFA. The building is no longer an excuse.
- ses111

Agreed. It’s time to move on from him

Who has been the GM the past 4 years? It’s pretty obvious who’s to blame
- BringNYIhome

Yeah, you're right. He sucks. All he's done is put together a team that went to the ECF's 2 years in a row, brought respect and credibility to the organization and brought on a first-rate coaching staff. Unlike Snow who was so successful in his 12 year reign.

What is your actual point? If you want to say the talent pool is pretty shallow, yes, it is. But it hasn't exactly been overflowing with talent for a long time.

The Rags ruined KraVtsov. And you STFU. We missed the playoffs by a mile and blow holes like you still think Lou is doing a great job
- BringNYIhome

Dude, you really need a drink. They missed the playoffs once in 4 years, that's better than most teams in the league. Not to mention that there were several factors that contributed to this bad season. I'll wait to see what Lou does this off-season before passing any further judgement.
It was asked of you previously, but you did not answer. Would you rather have Snow back?

Varly is a UFA after next season.
- Isleshockeyman

I’m aware of that was referring to his NTC or NMC status next season.

Dude, you really need a drink. They missed the playoffs once in 4 years, that's better than most teams in the league. Not to mention that there were several factors that contributed to this bad season. I'll wait to see what Lou does this off-season before passing any further judgement.
It was asked of you previously, but you did not answer. Would you rather have Snow back?
- Isleshockeyman

Pretty much agree with this. If Lameriello signs a couple of over the hill dolts and expects them to play serious minutes and the team sputters again well he deserves the criticism but he has earned another year to correct this past season imo.

Nope not enough most likely but after the shalacking they’re getting from the ‘lanche who knows how much more it would take? Not sure about Varlamov’s final yr contract status and don’t feel like looking it up but I’m not sure Lameriello parts ways with him anyway. I think he values having two capable goaltenders and may find another way to dump salary.
- Cptmjl

I was thinking Varly as a centerpiece, plus whatever. There are plenty of teams in need of goalies, but I'd think Lou would like to trade out west. And after the Oilers abysmal goaltending display during these playoffs, they are a possible partner. But I agree, it's likely Lou values having two capable goalies. Which is why he wasn't traded at the past deadline. I'm sure his phone was ringing on him. At least I would think so.

Pretty much agree with this. If Lameriello signs a couple of over the hill dolts and expects them to play serious minutes and the team sputters again well he deserves the criticism but he has earned another year to correct this past season imo.
- Cptmjl

In a couple of decades of Milbury and Snow, the Islanders won one playoff round, missing the playoffs altogether most of the time. In four years with Lou as GM, 3 years of playoffs, and back-to-back deep playoff runs for the first time since the dynasty years.

Is this the guy who used to claim he had inside info, because he dined with the players?

In a couple of decades of Milbury and Snow, the Islanders won one playoff round, missing the playoffs altogether most of the time. In four years with Lou as GM, 3 years of playoffs, and back-to-back deep playoff runs for the first time since the dynasty years.

Is this the guy who used to claim he had inside info, because he dined with the players?
- JohnScammo

Yes so I trust his judgement.