I just don't think it's smart to be in the rental market at this point, especially if Brassard is out long-term. None of the rentals out there are going to turn this team around, that's gonna have to come from within.
- eichiefs9

I only want a move if it's for a higher end player with term or they can resign but wish in one hand and shat in the other and see which one fills up faster

They just cant finish although the avs speed or isles lack of was glaring last night. They can win if they play hard but it's hard to do it every game and I think sometimes teams are bad but star players make that great play and they pull a win out. If hitting posts were goals this team would be on a 4 game winning streak. Hard to say if they are unlucky or what here but it needs to change and fast. They went from an 8 point lead over 3rd place to tied for the wildcard........they have been pretty bad since the win streak tbh and honestly what trade can they make that's really going to put them over the top? 53 and 15 back would be huge but they don't score a ton I think a trade may just be throwing picks they also need for the future for a team that's not in win now mode. I'd love to be wrong and see a move that reinvigorated this team and they go on a run but I'm skeptical that they can
- Upstate_isles

This Isles team is slow. They need to start developing players with speed and skill. Lou needs to do more house cleaning with the scouts. I also do not see a trade that will turn things around. The Isles need to play such a structured system they have very little room for error with the lack of high end talent.

I agree. Just call up Otto and Wahlstrom if you have to.
- ses111

The "come from within" part was really meant more as in "they're going to have to reach down, grab their balls, and start playing like their season is on the line. JG Pageau ain't fixing whatever's wrong with this team right now.

I only want a move if it's for a higher end player with term or they can resign but wish in one hand and shat in the other and see which one fills up faster
- Upstate_isles

Young guy with term is different. But I suspect ANA/SJS are probably asking a fortune for Kase/Labanc given what Blake (frank)ing Coleman went for.

Young guy with term is different. But I suspect ANA/SJS are probably asking a fortune for Kase/Labanc given what Blake (frank)ing Coleman went for.
- eichiefs9

And the issue with the isles is they will want wahlstrom or Dobson and a picknor two which the isles dont have a ton of and they need to restock the system too. They are all around ducked going forward unless they just stand pat and tank away . Maybe they get it together on the home stand and win 4 or 5 and things will be looking up

The "come from within" part was really meant more as in "they're going to have to reach down, grab their balls, and start playing like their season is on the line. JG Pageau ain't fixing whatever's wrong with this team right now.
- eichiefs9

I agree about Pageau but I meant if Brassard is out call up Otto instead of trading for Thompson.

I agree about Pageau but I meant if Brassard is out call up Otto instead of trading for Thompson.
- ses111

We needed depth at center and lost one......cant win cause that would let brass go to wing where hes been good this year

And the issue with the isles is they will want wahlstrom or Dobson and a picknor two which the isles dont have a ton of and they need to restock the system too. They are all around ducked going forward unless they just stand pat and tank away . Maybe they get it together on the home stand and win 4 or 5 and things will be looking up
- Upstate_isles

Assuming he'd have come here, not signing Kovalchuk to the league minimum was stupid. No risk move.

Assuming he'd have come here, not signing Kovalchuk to the league minimum was stupid. No risk move.
- eichiefs9

Vukota was right on Kovalchuk. As crazy as this sounds, would it have been almost better for the long run if the Isles struggled last year and Lou had to sell of some pieces?

Vukota was right on Kovalchuk. As crazy as this sounds, would it have been almost better for the long run if the Isles struggled last year and Lou had to sell of some pieces?
- ses111

Assuming he'd have come here, not signing Kovalchuk to the league minimum was stupid. No risk move.
- eichiefs9

But his defense.......

At the end of the day, they have to beat out two of the teams around them. Is it crazy to think they outplay, say, Philly and Columbus down the stretch? I don't think so. Once they get in, they'll get back their shutdown line and their top-pair d-man in addition to whatever else they add at the deadline. As long as that's the case, I say you go for it and let the chips fall where they may.

They just re-signed a bunch of guys who aren't getting any younger. I don't know if you bring back players like Eberle, Lee, and Nelson -- who are all a year or two away from 30 -- if the plan is to play it safe and stay in neutral, or wait years for prospects to develop and save the day. It makes as little sense to me as trading a pick for Greene and calling it a day. If you bring those guys back, you've already made the decision to go for it. Now you have to make the best of that decision and give it the best chance to succeed.

But his defense nationality.......
- Upstate_isles

fixed

At the end of the day, they have to beat out two of the teams around them. Is it crazy to think they outplay, say, Philly and Columbus down the stretch? I don't think so. Once they get in, they'll get back their shutdown line and their top-pair d-man in addition to whatever else they add at the deadline. As long as that's the case, I say you go for it and let the chips fall where they may.

They just re-signed a bunch of guys who aren't getting any younger. I don't know if you bring back players like Eberle, Lee, and Nelson -- who are all a year or two away from 30 -- if the plan is to play it safe and stay in neutral, or wait years for prospects to develop and save the day. It makes as little sense to me as trading a pick for Greene and calling it a day. If you bring those guys back, you've already made the decision to go for it. Now you have to make the best of that decision and give it the best chance to succeed.
- UIF

Yup they are a fringe playoff team and stuck there for a while until the move guys out or rebuild and they've been doing that since 93

- eichiefs9

At the end of the day, they have to beat out two of the teams around them. Is it crazy to think they outplay, say, Philly and Columbus down the stretch? I don't think so. Once they get in, they'll get back their shutdown line and their top-pair d-man in addition to whatever else they add at the deadline. As long as that's the case, I say you go for it and let the chips fall where they may.

They just re-signed a bunch of guys who aren't getting any younger. I don't know if you bring back players like Eberle, Lee, and Nelson -- who are all a year or two away from 30 -- if the plan is to play it safe and stay in neutral, or wait years for prospects to develop and save the day. It makes as little sense to me as trading a pick for Greene and calling it a day. If you bring those guys back, you've already made the decision to go for it. Now you have to make the best of that decision and give it the best chance to succeed.
- UIF

If I'm being honest, I don't think they have to do that. That reeks of desperation and that's the kind of thing that sets teams back years. Lou needs to be honest with himself and realize that this team is not a Cup contender even if they go land Pageau.

If I'm being honest, I don't think they have to do that. That reeks of desperation and that's the kind of thing that sets teams back years. Lou needs to be honest with himself and realize that this team is not a Cup contender even if they go land Pageau.
- eichiefs9

It will only make things much worse if Lou starts making desperation moves. I cannot see Lou making panic moves.

At the end of the day, they have to beat out two of the teams around them. Is it crazy to think they outplay, say, Philly and Columbus down the stretch? I don't think so. Once they get in, they'll get back their shutdown line and their top-pair d-man in addition to whatever else they add at the deadline. As long as that's the case, I say you go for it and let the chips fall where they may.

They just re-signed a bunch of guys who aren't getting any younger. I don't know if you bring back players like Eberle, Lee, and Nelson -- who are all a year or two away from 30 -- if the plan is to play it safe and stay in neutral, or wait years for prospects to develop and save the day. It makes as little sense to me as trading a pick for Greene and calling it a day. If you bring those guys back, you've already made the decision to go for it. Now you have to make the best of that decision and give it the best chance to succeed.
- UIF

I agree, they are in a funk currently and have some key injuries.
It’s better to be in a funk now and then get back on a streak going into and during the POs. Every team just wants to get in and after that it’s a new season.

It will only make things much worse if Lou starts making desperation moves. I cannot see Lou making panic moves.
- ses111

If Brassard is gone for a few weeks or more, there is nothing they can afford that's going to help the team.

You could go get Thompson and try and bump Cizikas up to a 3C role and give him new linemates, but then you're breaking up Barry's favorite energy line. Thompson isn't skilled enough to center a third line.

They could try to shoe-horn Namestnikov into that role, but I'm not sure how well that'd really work out.

They're not in a good place right now. A loss to DET (who's upset a playoff team or two recently) on Friday would pretty much signify that it's time to panic.

If I'm being honest, I don't think they have to do that. That reeks of desperation and that's the kind of thing that sets teams back years. Lou needs to be honest with himself and realize that this team is not a Cup contender even if they go land Pageau.
- eichiefs9

Well then he wasted a 2nd rounder on greene if he goes this route

Well then he wasted a 2nd rounder on greene if he goes this route
- Upstate_isles

Possibly, yes. I don't see that as a reason to make more potential mistakes though.

If Brassard is gone for a few weeks or more, there is nothing they can afford that's going to help the team.

You could go get Thompson and try and bump Cizikas up to a 3C role and give him new linemates, but then you're breaking up Barry's favorite energy line. Thompson isn't skilled enough to center a third line.

They could try to shoe-horn Namestnikov into that role, but I'm not sure how well that'd really work out.

They're not in a good place right now. A loss to DET (who's upset a playoff team or two recently) on Friday would pretty much signify that it's time to panic.
- eichiefs9

To me the safest thing is running with Otto at least you find out about him and you do not waste giving up assets for non impact players. It hard not to want to bring someone in but I'd rather hold onto assets for summer moves. Many of these deadline moves just do not have the impact teams expected.

To me the safest thing is running with Otto at least you find out about him and you do not waste giving up assets for non impact players. It hard not to want to bring someone in but I'd rather hold onto assets for summer moves. Many of these deadline moves just do not have the impact teams expected.
- ses111

Well at this point they don't have much of a choice. Right now their 3C/4C are probably.........Bailey and Komarov??

Possibly, yes. I don't see that as a reason to make more potential mistakes though.
- eichiefs9

I agree, tough call here go for it and hope it works or throw in the towel and build through the draft. Interestingly lou wont live through a rebuild hes like 85 hes 7s younger brother

Well at this point they don't have much of a choice. Right now their 3C/4C are probably.........Bailey and Komarov??


- eichiefs9

Greene is obviously better but I think it would have been smart to get Aho into a few games. At some point, Isles need to start finding out about some of these Bridge players.