B.D. Gallof: Isles Trying To Land Erik Karlsson

Hopefully.... Cal going the other way.


Ottawa still has to win.... or give up Hughes maybe???

It all comes down to what they want for him. If it's a one-year rental then a first rd pick and a second, probably Brock Nelson, Ho-Sang and a dman prospect or if they want one of Islanders contract defensemen like Leddy, Boychuk, Hickey, Mayfield and Pelech.

Owners pushing for this. Don't be surprised if one of the Isles 1st round pickups this past draft part of this. Or Both.

So I had this thought, maybe it is completely ridiculous but maybe not. We do not need to go into rebuild-mode but Ottawa, if losing Erik Karlsson, kinda really needs to. Why not make it a truly mega-deal and try to get Duchene too. Mathew Barzal would be the only truly untouchable. I would consider Pulock if the deal was there. We could take Ryan's contract if they take Ladd or Clutter to get to cap floor and/or buyout or eat some of Ryan's money. I'm not super familiar with buyouts so not sure if that part makes sense. Add Craig Anderson and he could be a acceptable stopgap in net. Obviously extending Karlsson is a must, preferably Duchene too. It would take a considerable amount of young talent but we do kind of have a lot. Also, at least two first round picks which sounds like a lot but think of it in terms of an offer sheet. Now it's time to be told how stupid I am, and.... GO!

(Side note: I have this wincing look on my face each time I hit refresh to see what responses I get, haha!)

Breaking: isles don’t land Karlsson, but trade for Luca Sbisa as a consolation prize

Hopefully.... Cal going the other way.


Ottawa still has to win.... or give up Hughes maybe???
- jimmc7722

The pick is already gone so we're not "giving up anyone". Also: http://www.tankathon.com/nhl/pick_odds

And

https://www.nhlnumbers.co...-a-season-because-of-luck

So I had this thought, maybe it is completely ridiculous but maybe not. We do not need to go into rebuild-mode but Ottawa, if losing Erik Karlsson, kinda really needs to. Why not make it a truly mega-deal and try to get Duchene too. Mathew Barzal would be the only truly untouchable. I would consider Pulock if the deal was there. We could take Ryan's contract if they take Ladd or Clutter to get to cap floor and/or buyout or eat some of Ryan's money. I'm not super familiar with buyouts so not sure if that part makes sense. Add Craig Anderson and he could be a acceptable stopgap in net. Obviously extending Karlsson is a must, preferably Duchene too. It would take a considerable amount of young talent but we do kind of have a lot. Also, at least two first round picks which sounds like a lot but think of it in terms of an offer sheet. Now it's time to be told how stupid I am, and.... GO!
- rob_one_six

No. Rebuild right. You guys got some good young talent to start out with. A lot more than most have when they start out. Patience.

He won't sign with Lou, he'd have to cut off his Captain Jack Sparrow look.

Now that one guy left on Sunday that in the end didn't want to be there, let's go get another one just like him.

Maybe the Isles need to focus on the Russians and the beauty of Brooklyn and Brighton Beach.

For Belmont, maybe sell the horse racing aspect?

This team doesn't need a "full rebuild". More of a retooling, because it is ahead of the curve in terms of assets. They already have a ton of youth and a bunch of vets. They need a stopgap in goal until one of their prospects (sorokin, soderstrom, the new kid they just drafted) is ready to take the reins. They have a good coach in Trotz, experienced management in Lou and Co. and ownership that is committed to winning. I can understand where everyone sees Tavares leaving to fulfill his boyhood dream and automatically yells, "YOU MUST REBUILD!". But in truth, they just need to retool.

Now that one guy left on Sunday that in the end didn't want to be there, let's go get another one just like him.

Maybe the Isles need to focus on the Russians and the beauty of Brooklyn and Brighton Beach.

For Belmont, maybe sell the horse racing aspect?
- Fan101

I would suspect they would only trade for E.K. IF he signed the extension. Owners aren't giving players the benefit of the doubt any more.

Its all well and good to make a play for obtaining Mr. Karlsson — but not if it costs the the franchise in too many assets.

Would have to hope that Barzal is untouchable (or as untouchable as it gets). The Islanders would likely deal what currently projects to be a top 5 pick if they deal the 2019 first rounder. PLUS.... + and +

Something along the lines of Brock Nelson and a 1st wont cut it as a package going back.

Bobby Ryan... perhaps Craig Anderson — taking those two contracts would help Ott. So perhaps the price tag wont be horrific either.

We shall see.

I just dont want them overreacting either. As much as 2018-19 could be a hot mess, trying the crazy trade panic Milbury method is NOT the way to go here.

WORTH NOTING: It could be worth a slight overpayment if it means he doesnt land with a division rival!!!!!!

I love Barzal and think he is great but lets just see how he does when there is no ine but him to throw out there. I am assuming JT did most of the heavy lifting making it easier for Barzal to do his thing, but when he becomes the go to guy will he still have that same success. I meant right now that kid has to be the face of the franchise so now the pressure will unfairly fall on him, hopefully he is ready for it !

Really, it was terrible asset management by the Islanders.
They should have demanded Tavares sign an extension before the trade deadline and if not, trade him. The fact that he wouldn't anti up was a clear sign that he was looking elsewhere. I don't think JT was ever 100% leaving NY and was very crossed up on what to do - but NY needed to be the final decision maker on how this ended because by allowing that to be JT, they got zilch.
Not smart!

I love Barzal and think he is great but lets just see how he does when there is no ine but him to throw out there. I am assuming JT did most of the heavy lifting making it easier for Barzal to do his thing, but when he becomes the go to guy will he still have that same success. I meant right now that kid has to be the face of the franchise so now the pressure will unfairly fall on him, hopefully he is ready for it !
- Shampoo

Completely agree. They need to do for him what wasn't done for JT: surround him with talent from Day 1. To be honest, the Isles fielded a pretty talented team up front last year. If they can add a couple of assets on the back end and a decent goalie, they could be alright this year.

He'll go to the Islanders and be like "Hey my dudes, we can talk extension soon." and then next July 1st be like "I've always wanted to play for Djurgarden." bam, SEL bound

B.D. Gallof: Isles Trying To Land Erik Karlsson
- B.D. Gallof

In related news, I'm trying to land Taylor Swift.

Nice blog. What's the word on Karlsson's ankle? That would be my biggest concern in terms of negotiating a 7-8 year deal.

In related news, I'm trying to land Taylor Swift.
- BINGO!

OTT would need some NHL players back bc they cant tank or their prize pick goes to COL & there is a cap floor, so some sort of salaries have to go back.....

Not trying to be a d**k here but i don't think there is any way Karlsson signs an extension with the islanders. That would also be true for Buffalo, Arizona, Detroit, Montreal, Vancouver. I think he looks for a team that at most is 2 to 3 years away from serious cup contention.

Nice blog. What's the word on Karlsson's ankle? That would be my biggest concern in terms of negotiating a 7-8 year deal.
- islesfanforever

Thanks. That is a VERY good question. I am told no concern on his ankle. Not sure if that is judging overall ankle injuries on NHLers vs output or IF someone looked at his play pre/post. My guess here is both.

Not trying to be a d**k here but i don't think there is any way Karlsson signs an extension with the islanders. That would also be true for Buffalo, Arizona, Detroit, Montreal, Vancouver. I think he looks for a team that at most is 2 to 3 years away from serious cup contention.
- Banditt

I think this is a valid point and concern about the reality of getting him vs a Vegas, etc. Lou and Barry would need to sell him.