Ben Shelley: Matias Rajanimi earns Bronze Medal with Finland at World Juniors

How exciting. Lou really has stockpiled “blue chip” prospects. Wooooo

I am absolutely shocked that Lameriello is considering trading a player that brings so much to this team. I’m sure some other team will pick up this rare talent, locker room hero, speaks 17 languages, and from what I’ve been told a player whose penalty killing is so elite it nullifies whatever negativity his contract may have bought. I’m sure it won’t take long for some team to scoop up this player for a key asset. Like Toews another unfortunate casualty of NOT having any cap issues. I wish both him and his new team luck.


David Pagnotta
@TheFourthPeriod
As the NYI/Barzal negotiations continue, multiple sources tell me the Isles are engaged in trade talks to stay cap compliant. One source said the NYI are "shopping multiple players" -- aside from Hickey, I'm told Komarov is one of them (again). Don't think a deal is close, yet.
5:40 PM · Jan 6, 2021

I am absolutely shocked that Lameriello is considering trading a player that brings so much to this team. I’m sure some other team will pick up this rare talent, locker room hero, speaks 17 languages, and from what I’ve been told a player whose penalty killing is so elite it nullifies whatever negativity his contract may have bought. I’m sure it won’t take long for some team to scoop up this player for a key asset. Like Toews another unfortunate casualty of NOT having any cap issues. I wish both him and his new team luck.


David Pagnotta
@TheFourthPeriod
As the NYI/Barzal negotiations continue, multiple sources tell me the Isles are engaged in trade talks to stay cap compliant. One source said the NYI are "shopping multiple players" -- aside from Hickey, I'm told Komarov is one of them (again). Don't think a deal is close, yet.
5:40 PM · Jan 6, 2021

- Cptmjl

Not enough cap space but Lou signed Martin to that ridiculous contract.

Not enough cap space but Lou signed Martin to that ridiculous contract.
- JimmyP

Maybe signing Leo and Hickey to those deals were not good ideas?

I am absolutely shocked that Lameriello is considering trading a player that brings so much to this team. I’m sure some other team will pick up this rare talent, locker room hero, speaks 17 languages, and from what I’ve been told a player whose penalty killing is so elite it nullifies whatever negativity his contract may have bought. I’m sure it won’t take long for some team to scoop up this player for a key asset. Like Toews another unfortunate casualty of NOT having any cap issues. I wish both him and his new team luck.


David Pagnotta
@TheFourthPeriod
As the NYI/Barzal negotiations continue, multiple sources tell me the Isles are engaged in trade talks to stay cap compliant. One source said the NYI are "shopping multiple players" -- aside from Hickey, I'm told Komarov is one of them (again). Don't think a deal is close, yet.
5:40 PM · Jan 6, 2021

- Cptmjl

Hickey is another candidate. Both these would probably need a sweetener to get a deal done. I think Lou is trying to clear cap space to sign Barzal to a long term deal vs a short bridge deal. My opinion of course.
Here’s a bit from Staples Athletic Article today on Barzal not being signed. Funny thing is, you would think Trotz knows that Barzal has a deal and can’t be sign until JB’s LTIR is official


Staple wrote:

The Islanders held their first scrimmage of training camp on Wednesday, then planned their first day off on Thursday. Mathew Barzal remained unsigned and away from camp, which now has maybe five or six more on-ice sessions to go before the Jan. 14 opener against the Rangers at Madison Square Garden.

Barry Trotz knows time is short, and growing shorter for anyone who isn’t on the ice. He wasn’t speaking specifically about Barzal, but it was clear which player his words would most affect.

“If you’re going to start the season, you’ve got to get going right away,” Trotz said. “It’s hard if you miss some time here. I don’t know if you can replicate what we’re doing here. It’s tough for anyone to catch up. We’re going to have (games), this will be a week from now. There’s not going to be a lot of practices. You need to be in live action as much as you can.”

Maybe signing Leo and Hickey to those deals were not good ideas?
- ses111

Those deal were suspect for sure, however let’s not forget the cap was going up 3 to 5 million before COVID hit which (frank)ed most of the teams in the league.
Moving forward ( next year ) you have to think that the NHL and the NHLPA will negotiate and initiate some sort of Cap relief for Teams to use.

Those deal were suspect for sure, however let’s not forget the cap was going up 3 to 5 million before COVID hit which (frank)ed most of the teams in the league.
Moving forward ( next year ) you have to think that the NHL and the NHLPA will negotiate and initiate some sort of Cap relief for Teams to use.
- nyisles7

Those deals still never made sense even if the Cap was going up. What team was giving Leo 4 years or Martin 4 years now? Lou should have also understood Hickey was not a long term solution and was going to be nothing more than a 7th dman. It's no secret Lou has struggled in FA.

Those deals still never made sense even if the Cap was going up. What team was giving Leo 4 years or Martin 4 years now? Lou should have also understood Hickey was not a long term solution and was going to be nothing more than a 7th dman. It's no secret Lou has struggled in FA.
- ses111

Ses,all I can say is you can pick apart certain deals on any team and any GM has made but at the end of the day the results since Lou has taken over is more than anyone could have imagined. Why do t we just enjoy that and see what the future brings and when the wheels fall off grab the pitchforks and torches and storm Northwell.
In other words enjoy the results and let the little poop go and stop complaining! You could be a Leaf’s Fan.

Ses,all I can say is you can pick apart certain deals on any team and any GM has made but at the end of the day the results since Lou has taken over is more than anyone could have imagined. Why do t we just enjoy that and see what the future brings and when the wheels fall off grab the pitchforks and torches and storm Northwell.
In other words enjoy the results and let the little poop go and stop complaining! You could be a Leaf’s Fan.

- nyisles7

It's been good. The other big question is do the Isles get Trotz without Lou? I don't think there was a chance Trotz would come to the Isles if Snow was still running things.

Ses,all I can say is you can pick apart certain deals on any team and any GM has made but at the end of the day the results since Lou has taken over is more than anyone could have imagined. Why do t we just enjoy that and see what the future brings and when the wheels fall off grab the pitchforks and torches and storm Northwell.
In other words enjoy the results and let the little poop go and stop complaining! You could be a Leaf’s Fan.

- nyisles7

I'm enjoying the results but let's be honest it's Barry's coaching that deserves most of the credit. This is mostly Garth's roster and Islanders got very lucky this was the only job available when Barry was free and Malkin was willing to pay big money. You can still like Lou and also admit he has made some very bad signings.

It's been good. The other big question is do the Isles get Trotz without Lou? I don't think there was a chance Trotz would come to the Isles if Snow was still running things.
- JimmyP

Lou was a big help I'm sure but it helped the Islanders had the only job opening and Barry was looking to get paid which Malkin was more than willing to do. Have to think if the Islanders hired Lombardi as GM or even Fitzgerald Barry still signs.

I'm enjoying the results but let's be honest it's Barry's coaching that deserves most of the credit. This is mostly Garth's roster and Islanders got very lucky this was the only job available when Barry was free and Malkin was willing to pay big money. You can still like Lou and also admit he has made some very bad signings.
- ses111

No, the coach certainly helps however the players have to execute.
I guess the other GMs in the league think he’s done a pretty good job for the most part voted him GM of the year.
Again you can’t focus on one or 2 deals you need to focus on the big picture, PLEASE !

Lou was a big help I'm sure but it helped the Islanders had the only job opening and Barry was looking to get paid which Malkin was more than willing to do. Have to think if the Islanders hired Lombardi as GM or even Fitzgerald Barry still signs.
- ses111

A lot of ifs and unknowns Ses.
One thing you can count on is The Islanders in no way get Trots without Lou. He basically said that he was interested in working with Lou.

It's been good. The other big question is do the Isles get Trotz without Lou? I don't think there was a chance Trotz would come to the Isles if Snow was still running things.
- JimmyP

No way Jimmy, very good point.

Lou has changed the whole culture and reputation of the organization from top to bottom.

A lot of ifs and unknowns Ses.
One thing you can count on is The Islanders in no way get Trots without Lou. He basically said that he was interested in working with Lou.
- nyisles7

I have no doubt he was interested in working with Lou. Barry also did not seem to want to sit a year and he wanted to get paid. That's why he left the Caps.

I have no doubt he was interested in working with Lou. Barry also did not seem to want to sit a year and he wanted to get paid. That's why he left the Caps.
- ses111

He actually left the Caps because they didn’t sign him the year before. They wanted to wait to see how the Caps did the final year of Barry’s contract with Reirden waiting in the wings. That obviously pissed him off and I don’t think he would have signed there regardless. He actually said he was going to take some time off and spend it with his family until Lou called and he was very interested in working with him and turning the Islanders around.

He actually left the Caps because they didn’t sign him the year before. They wanted to wait to see how the Caps did the final year of Barry’s contract with Reirden waiting in the wings. That obviously pissed him off and I don’t think he would have signed there regardless. He actually said he was going to take some time off and spend it with his family until Lou called and he was very interested in working with him and turning the Islanders around.
- nyisles7

My point is it was about money and the Caps were not willing to pay Barry. I'm just glad that other teams did not have job openings because the Islanders track record getting their guy has not been good.

My point is it was about money and the Caps were not willing to pay Barry. I'm just glad that other teams did not have job openings because the Islanders track record getting their guy has not been good.
- ses111

Where did you hear they didn’t want to pay him? He was pissed they didn’t extent him the year before and then he wins the Cup and they say ok Barry let’s negotiate now and he said (frank) you I don’t need your job. He could have gone anywhere and would have gotten paid. He came because of Lou.
As far as not getting their Guy under Wang and Snow, Garth got his guy every time. He never wanted ( nor could he get ) a coach with experience or success that would threaten him and his position. Lou got his Guy right off the bat. Just my opinion but the team under Garth and the Team under Lou are vastly different on the ice, off the ice and in the perception of the team league wide is 1000% times better under Lou.
Give Lou credit he deserves it and let’s not pick at a couple contracts you don’t like and focus on Lee, Nelson etc signing deals and keeping the core together.

Where did you hear they didn’t want to pay him? He was pissed they didn’t extent him the year before and then he wins the Cup and they say ok Barry let’s negotiate now and he said (frank) you I don’t need your job. He could have gone anywhere and would have gotten paid. He came because of Lou.
As far as not getting their Guy under Wang and Snow, Garth got his guy every time. He never wanted ( nor could he get ) a coach with experience or success that would threaten him and his position. Lou got his Guy right off the bat. Just my opinion but the team under Garth and the Team under Lou are vastly different on the ice, off the ice and in the perception of the team league wide is 1000% times better under Lou.
Give Lou credit he deserves it and let’s not pick at a couple contracts you don’t like and focus on Lee, Nelson etc signing deals and keeping the core together.
- nyisles7

I included players in terms of the Islanders not getting their guy. Perception is better but they still missed on Panarin and Hoffman. I'd love to forget about a couple of contracts but it hurts the team right now. Hopefully things work out quickly with Barzal and the Islanders can find a way to add more offense.

Hickey is another candidate. Both these would probably need a sweetener to get a deal done. I think Lou is trying to clear cap space to sign Barzal to a long term deal vs a short bridge deal. My opinion of course.
Here’s a bit from Staples Athletic Article today on Barzal not being signed. Funny thing is, you would think Trotz knows that Barzal has a deal and can’t be sign until JB’s LTIR is official


Staple wrote:

The Islanders held their first scrimmage of training camp on Wednesday, then planned their first day off on Thursday. Mathew Barzal remained unsigned and away from camp, which now has maybe five or six more on-ice sessions to go before the Jan. 14 opener against the Rangers at Madison Square Garden.

Barry Trotz knows time is short, and growing shorter for anyone who isn’t on the ice. He wasn’t speaking specifically about Barzal, but it was clear which player his words would most affect.

“If you’re going to start the season, you’ve got to get going right away,” Trotz said. “It’s hard if you miss some time here. I don’t know if you can replicate what we’re doing here. It’s tough for anyone to catch up. We’re going to have (games), this will be a week from now. There’s not going to be a lot of practices. You need to be in live action as much as you can.”
- nyisles7

With Barzal looking like a goner, I read that Pageau has been filling in at 1C in practice. However, longer term, I'm thinking this is Ross Johnston's position to lose. Thoughts?

I think Ross is better suited for the wing.

I included players in terms of the Islanders not getting their guy. Perception is better but they still missed on Panarin and Hoffman. I'd love to forget about a couple of contracts but it hurts the team right now. Hopefully things work out quickly with Barzal and the Islanders can find a way to add more offense.
- ses111

Fair

With Barzal looking like a goner, I read that Pageau has been filling in at 1C in practice. However, longer term, I'm thinking this is Ross Johnston's position to lose. Thoughts?
- JohnScammo

I would just love to see Barzal on Johnston’s wing

Psst, don’t tell anyone but they can’t sign Barzal until the season starts

With Barzal looking like a goner, I read that Pageau has been filling in at 1C in practice. However, longer term, I'm thinking this is Ross Johnston's position to lose. Thoughts?
- JohnScammo

A brother can dream...