I really don't hold it against Lou for standing pat at the deadline, but the consequences of that are showing now. They couldn't score on an AHL team
- eichiefs9

Would have been nice to be able to make a deal without giving up a big prospect like Dobson or Wilde. Team needed help but is not ready for a big trade.

Would have been nice to be able to make a deal without giving up a big prospect like Dobson or Wilde. Team needed help but is not ready for a big trade.
- ses111

I’m not a big fan of this mantra and don’t agree with it pretty much ever. I’ll state it again because this is hockeybuzz let me be clear I’m fine that Lou didn’t do anything even with our teams current ineptitude with scoring I’m not wavering from that. With that said I don’t think making a trade would’ve been a terrible thing and saying we “weren’t ready” for a big trade to me is just an explanation for no trade happening with little substance backing it up. Aka it’s the easy answer that won’t get a negative reaction from anyone on here. Every trade made could’ve had implications for the future as we all know as well as having an unknown impact on the present. In other words you don’t know unless you try it and doing nothing for years has yielded exactly nothing. I’m hoping these picks and prospects are all we hope and Lou has an excellent offseason because if we don’t I think our inaction at the TDL becomes a little questionable even with our unknowns as far as FA and who is going/staying.

I still think this is an evaluation year. Making playoffs just gives Lou a chance to see these guys in that situation too. Sure he tried and could have made some trades at deadline but he didn’t overpay and all those guys minus Stone , can still be gotten. Just neeed to wake up on offense and maybe win a round in playoffs now. Let’s hope they can at least do that and then wait for July 1

I'm not even super confident about Bellows and Wahlstrom. Bellows had, honestly, a pretty bad first pro year. Wahlstrom, for all his goal-scoring hype, managed to muster up a whopping 7 goals in 35gp with BC.

Wahlstrom, like Wilde, is AHL-eligible next season. I imagine he stays at BC but he's already filled out his frame and they might just get him out of there and try and handle his development in-house.
- eichiefs9

Only thing I have on wahlstrom is hes 18 playing 20 to 24 year olds because of his talent. It may be hes not physically ready or I hope

I’m not saying Stone would’ve gotten us a cup what I’m saying is getting a signed Stone would’ve been extremely beneficial to this teams future. We’re pretty weak on the right side. He’s a player that would fit Trotz’s system to a tee while of course making us more competitive now imo. As I said before I’m not upset we didn’t get him I’m fine keeping Dobson BUT I definitely wouldn’t have been negative on the idea if we had a legit shot to get him to begin with.
- Cptmjl

And a signed stone helps lure other players

I’m not a big fan of this mantra and don’t agree with it pretty much ever. I’ll state it again because this is hockeybuzz let me be clear I’m fine that Lou didn’t do anything even with our teams current ineptitude with scoring I’m not wavering from that. With that said I don’t think making a trade would’ve been a terrible thing and saying we “weren’t ready” for a big trade to me is just an explanation for no trade happening with little substance backing it up. Aka it’s the easy answer that won’t get a negative reaction from anyone on here. Every trade made could’ve had implications for the future as we all know as well as having an unknown impact on the present. In other words you don’t know unless you try it and doing nothing for years has yielded exactly nothing. I’m hoping these picks and prospects are all we hope and Lou has an excellent offseason because if we don’t I think our inaction at the TDL becomes a little questionable even with our unknowns as far as FA and who is going/staying.
- Cptmjl

All fair points Cpt. I just think the Isles are not one player away yet. Outside of dman, Isles prospects are not great and they could use another draft to hopefully build up the forward prospects. I would like to see more mid level trades where you do not have to give up a top prospect but still get a useful player. Isles could be set for years on D with Pulock, Toews, Dobson, and Wilde.

And a signed stone helps lure other players
- Upstate_isles

Well yeah for a couple different reasons. It shows we’re trying to be competitive while making us more competitive. It also says well Stone signed there can’t be all bad right? That’s why I don’t go along with the whole we’re not ready for a trade thought process.

And a regulation win puts magic number at 7
- Upstate_isles

Yes

Well yeah for a couple different reasons. It shows we’re trying to be competitive while making us more competitive. It also says well Stone signed there can’t be all bad right? That’s why I don’t go along with the whole we’re not ready for a trade thought process.
- Cptmjl

Isles really need to get a big UFA for once. Then they could use a prospect to trade for someone down the line if needed.

All fair points Cpt. I just think the Isles are not one player away yet. Outside of dman, Isles prospects are not great and they could use another draft to hopefully build up the forward prospects. I would like to see more mid level trades where you do not have to give up a top prospect but still get a useful player. Isles could be set for years on D with Pulock, Toews, Dobson, and Wilde.
- ses111

I see Lou not making a trade at the deadline more connected to the unknowns we have with who is staying or going in free agency, who we have a shot at signing, etc more than our lack of forward prospects. That to me is a big reason why he most likely didn’t make a trade imo. I don’t think a first round pick, a prospect, or “we’re not ready”, was the make or break in that decision process. Maybe he’s confident he can sign a Panarin or player along those lines and didn’t want to sabotage that? Maybe he wants to sign both Nelson and Lee and was unsure on what it’ll take? Those kind of “unknowns” and potentially huge, positive scenarios... Just my opinion.

I see Lou not making a trade at the deadline more connected to the unknowns we have with who is staying or going in free agency, who we have a shot at signing, etc more than our lack of forward prospects. That to me is a big reason why he most likely didn’t make a trade imo. I don’t think a first round pick, a prospect, or “we’re not ready”, was the make or break in that decision process. Maybe he’s confident he can sign a Panarin or player along those lines and didn’t want to sabotage that? Maybe he wants to sign both Nelson and Lee and was unsure on what it’ll take? Those kind of “unknowns” and potentially huge, positive scenarios... Just my opinion.
- Cptmjl

I think Lou and Barry really need to earn their money buying getting a top FA to sign here. Players should see other players like Barzal, Lee, Pulock, Toews, and the job Barry has done and want to be a part of this team. It will be a huge letdown if the Isles still have trouble attracting quality FA. This offseason needs to be a major upgrade in FA signed.

I think Lou and Barry really need to earn their money buying getting a top FA to sign here. Players should see other players like Barzal, Lee, Pulock, Toews, and the job Barry has done and want to be a part of this team. It will be a huge letdown if the Isles still have trouble attracting quality FA. This offseason needs to be a major upgrade in FA signed.
- ses111

We have a better chance of luring a free agent here than anytime in the last thirty years with the collection of idiots we had running this team😂

We have a better chance of luring a free agent here than anytime in the last thirty years with the collection of idiots we had running this team😂
- Cptmjl

Definitely easier Cpt. But me thinks still a challenge. I mean we weren’t very successful signing our last FA and this year we have more key players including once again our Captain that can walk as well.

I think a shovel in the ground at Belmont and finally the reality of a new home would be a huge difference.

Definitely easier Cpt. But me thinks still a challenge. I mean we weren’t very successful signing our last FA and this year we have more key players including once again our Captain that can walk as well.

I think a shovel in the ground at Belmont and finally the reality of a new home would be a huge difference.
- nyisles7

Agreed. I think we moved up a couple rungs on the respectability ladder but we still have a ways to go. If we can legitimately compete in the playoffs it’ll go a long way to helping that cause imo...

Definitely easier Cpt. But me thinks still a challenge. I mean we weren’t very successful signing our last FA and this year we have more key players including once again our Captain that can walk as well.

I think a shovel in the ground at Belmont and finally the reality of a new home would be a huge difference.
- nyisles7

No excuse. We kept hearing the Coli was not keeping players away it was the lousy GM and coaches. Lou and Barry need to get it done this offseason.

No excuse. We kept hearing the Coli was not keeping players away it was the lousy GM and coaches. Lou and Barry need to get it done this offseason.
- ses111

The state of the Art BC in your backyard is still in the picture Ses. It’s not a draw. The Coli is a great venue because of the pationate fans that make it the loud ravenous venue it is but lacks in amenities for the fans and unfortunately players compared to what the standard is in the NHL today. It also lacks in total capacity and luxury suites and seats to earn the revenue needed to make the team profitable.

Having Barry and Lou here is a total improvement from the past clowns occupying those positions and definitely a FA draw but again it’s the whole package taken into consideration and compared to other options. I think players that play here and live here do come to love the Island but again I think finality in where this team plays and calls home is still a question, until the shovels are in the ground and Belmont is a reality. Hopefully that will be this spring.

Agreed. I think we moved up a couple rungs on the respectability ladder but we still have a ways to go. If we can legitimately compete in the playoffs it’ll go a long way to helping that cause imo...
- Cptmjl

No doubt a run in the POs will help, but that is if the team stays together.
As we have said there are a lot of questions.

The state of the Art BC in your backyard is still in the picture Ses. It’s not a draw. The Coli is a great venue because of the pationate fans that make it the loud ravenous venue it is but lacks in amenities for the fans and unfortunately players compared to what the standard is in the NHL today. It also lacks in total capacity and luxury suites and seats to earn the revenue needed to make the team profitable.

Having Barry and Lou here is a total improvement from the past clowns occupying those positions and definitely a FA draw but again it’s the whole package taken into consideration and compared to other options. I think players that play here and live here do come to love the Island but again I think finality in where this team plays and calls home is still a question, until the shovels are in the ground and Belmont is a reality. Hopefully that will be this spring.
- nyisles7

Sorry 7. I meant the old Coli and we kept hearing it was a lousy GM and coach keeping players away. Hopefully Lou and Barry have success with FA's this offseason. Isles cannot afford to strike out and sign the same FA's they normally sign. I rather Lou not have to trade Wilde or Dobson to get the big forward they need.

does anyone see us getting rid of a bad contract or two to Seattle? If so who?

Sorry 7. I meant the old Coli and we kept hearing it was a lousy GM and coach keeping players away. Hopefully Lou and Barry have success with FA's this offseason. Isles cannot afford to strike out and sign the same FA's they normally sign. I rather Lou not have to trade Wilde or Dobson to get the big forward they need.
- ses111

Gotcha Ses,
I think everyone hopes that will be the case but again there are a lot of choices in the league, and unfortunately Coach and GM aren’t the only thing considered.

Honestly the Organization was a laughing stock for years and couldn’t sign it’s Cpt / franchise player to an extension. Other players see that as a positive? I would say no.
The Coli new or old isn’t the answer. If Belmont isn’t built there’s an outside shot that the Coli is totally refurbished but that’s a long shot.
The reality is they would probably be forced to move.
I think this off season is huge in the direction that Lou and the organization takes from players staying / leaving, and also the start of Belmont.

does anyone see us getting rid of a bad contract or two to Seattle? If so who?
- LItransplant44

It’s a couple years off but Ladd or Boychuck come to mind.

Well yeah for a couple different reasons. It shows we’re trying to be competitive while making us more competitive. It also says well Stone signed there can’t be all bad right? That’s why I don’t go along with the whole we’re not ready for a trade thought process.
- Cptmjl

We aren't 1 guy away but that's a huge piece I agree on the thought process though

We aren't 1 guy away but that's a huge piece I agree on the thought process though
- Upstate_isles

Gotta think if there was a trade that made sense for now and the future of the Team, Lou would have pulled the trigger. My opinion of course.

Big game tonight, need a win.

Gotta think if there was a trade that made sense for now and the future of the Team, Lou would have pulled the trigger. My opinion of course.

Big game tonight, need a win.
- nyisles7

Need the beau fritz komorov line on the bench for all but 7 minutes tonight

Need the beau fritz komorov line on the bench for all but 7 minutes tonight
- Upstate_isles

I refuse to comment