You are only required to protect guys with no movement clauses, not no trade clauses. I'm sure they intend on protecting Lee/JGP anyway, but you are not required to protect anyone that only has a NTC.

The Islanders are almost certainly going the 7-3-1 route, not the 4-4-1 like the last time around. They'll protect 7 forwards plus Pelech/Pulock/Mayfield or Leddy (and it certainly seems like Mayfield will be the guy right now)

I think the protection list should be relatively obvious, as the roster looks right now anyway. It should likely be:

Barzal
Lee
Nelson
Bailey
Eberle
Beau
Pageau

Pelech
Pulock
Mayfield

Varly
- eichiefs9

You don’t think there’s a chance they expose Eberle?

You don’t think there’s a chance they expose Eberle?
- Cptmjl

who would u protect instead Bellows?

You don’t think there’s a chance they expose Eberle?
- Cptmjl

There's definitely a chance they do. I just don't know who else you're protecting then. Maybe Martin? I don't really see the Kraken taking Martin but I suppose if you're dangling Eberle out there as bait then Martin would be the next most-obvious body to protect, with Wahlstrom/Sorokin being exempt.

If there's a real chance, and only if, that they are going to be able to use Bellows as the/a sweetener to move Ladd then I wonder if they don't kinda surprise everyone and protect him so they can continue working on a deal involving him.

From the last thread....courtesy of 7:

If Leddy is dealt, then you are losing someone else for nothing in the expansion draft. So if you are trading Leddy it better be a trade that can make up for losing 2 pieces of the current roster.
I'm thinking Lou wants to lose no one, if possible from this current roster's core let alone 2. Having Seattle take Ladd by throwing a sweetener like maybe Bellows and a pick their way is probably the best way to reduce our salary, keep the current roster together and not lose anyone significant to the teams success in the expansion draft. Just my opinion off course which is typically wrong.

You're right that you'll lose someone else for nothing. But Leddy IMO has significant value, and the next guy is probably worth less. So losing someone else for nothing is preferable to losing Leddy for nothing.

On the other hand, that would be great if Lou can convince Seattle to take Ladd for Bellows and a pick. It kills 2 birds with one stone: you keep the team intact and you gain cap space.
- JohnScammo

Which is why I said Lou probably doesn’t want to lose anyone. The draft choice and Bellows aren’t part of the win now equation imo so getting Seattle to bite on this or another package is the way to go.
Again Just my opinion which is usually wrong.
The Islanders have Lee in the lineup there's a good chance they would have taking the Tampa series and eventually The Habs in the final. Worth giving the team another shot ? Thats the million dollar question.

who would u protect instead Bellows?
- Hell_Bent

Yeah. I know they’re not big on him but he doesn’t have any salary where as Eberle is one of the higher paid players on the team.

There's definitely a chance they do. I just don't know who else you're protecting then. Maybe Martin? I don't really see the Kraken taking Martin but I suppose if you're dangling Eberle out there as bait then Martin would be the next most-obvious body to protect, with Wahlstrom/Sorokin being exempt.

If there's a real chance, and only if, that they are going to be able to use Bellows as the/a sweetener to move Ladd then I wonder if they don't kinda surprise everyone and protect him so they can continue working on a deal involving him.
- eichiefs9

I can see Lou exposing him and protecting Bellows if there’s no Ladd deal involving him of course. This is solely for salary reasons. I think Eberle made himself a bit more expendable then any other forward and his salary just helps it.

Yeah. I know they’re not big on him but he doesn’t have any salary where as Eberle is one of the higher paid players on the team.
- Cptmjl

Im all for getting younger and shedding salary, so tbh I wouldnt mind

I can see Lou exposing him and protecting Bellows if there’s no Ladd deal involving him of course. This is solely for salary reasons. I think Eberle made himself a bit more expendable then any other forward and his salary just helps it.
- Cptmjl

Yea, if I were Seattle and my choice was between a 31yo Eberle making $5.5M and a 23yo that needs a cheapo RFA deal I'd probably roll the dice on Bellows and look for veteran help elsewhere.

But if Lou ends up pushing Leddy and Eberle out, then all the sudden we can easily sign the 3 RFA's and Cizikas and maybe even go shopping elsewhere.

Im all for getting younger and shedding salary, so tbh I wouldnt mind
- Hell_Bent

Trotz is certainly not a fan of bellows so this may be far from likely. Numbers wise it’s the best way for us to get out of trouble if they could hypothetically commit to fixing whatever it is they don’t like about bellows game. We’re in some serious crap cap wise with who we have to sign.

Yea, if I were Seattle and my choice was between a 31yo Eberle making $5.5M and a 23yo that needs a cheapo RFA deal I'd probably roll the dice on Bellows and look for veteran help elsewhere.

But if Lou ends up pushing Leddy and Eberle out, then all the sudden we can easily sign the 3 RFA's and Cizikas and maybe even go shopping elsewhere.
- eichiefs9

Numbers wise it puts us in a really good position. Sign Palmieri and commit to a full season of Wahlstrom. This of course dependent on Seattle even taking him to begin with

My only complaint is that moving Ladd would certainly require moving the 2022 1st. Ordinarily no big deal, but that’ll be 3 consecutive 1st round picks the Islanders have surrendered.
- Wildschwein

Winning or truly competing for the Cup typically means sacrificing the future to keep your team together to get the job done. Sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn't. I think if it works, no one is thinking about the draft picks if the Silver chalice returns to the Island.

Yea, if I were Seattle and my choice was between a 31yo Eberle making $5.5M and a 23yo that needs a cheapo RFA deal I'd probably roll the dice on Bellows and look for veteran help elsewhere.

But if Lou ends up pushing Leddy and Eberle out, then all the sudden we can easily sign the 3 RFA's and Cizikas and maybe even go shopping elsewhere.
- eichiefs9

Losing both Leddy and Eberle opens up some real possibilities.

Numbers wise it puts us in a really good position. Sign Palmieri and commit to a full season of Wahlstrom. This of course dependent on Seattle even taking him to begin with
- Cptmjl

I still think they'd need to find money elsewhere. Even if they clear out Leddy/Eberle's combined $11M cap hit, that gives them about $17M to get four guys signed and then replace the two guys they just traded/lost. That doesn't even include signing Palmieri, who has to be due some sort of raise (even if he gives us a discount to stay) and was already making $4.65M. You could probably just cancel out Eberle's savings if they were to re-sign Palmieri, give or take a little.

So then you're down to about a little over $11M to sign Pelech/Sorokin/Beau and Cizikas.

You could perma-send Johnston to BPT to save another $1M, so then you're a hair over $12M.

I'd say you could buyout Komarov, but then there's a hole at 3LW that needs to be filled and I'm not really sure they could fill that internally, which means they'd have to sign/acquire someone making the same or less money than Komarov.

It's gonna be a weird offseason

Losing both Leddy and Eberle opens up some real possibilities.
- ses111

Plus a possible buyout of Komorov

Michael Russo @RussoHockey
30s
BREAKING NEWS: #mnwild buying out Zach Parise and Ryan Suter: Sources

Holy hell that is a massive buyout. $20M still collectively owed to them They'll be getting checks from the Wild until 2029

Without putting much thought into it:

Eberle gone
Leddy gone
Buyout Leo
Send Johnston to BPT

Sign Parise/Suter to veteran minimum (or close to it) deals and re-sign Palmieri

No, this won't happen but it'd be quite an interesting move

Michael Russo @RussoHockey
30s
BREAKING NEWS: #mnwild buying out Zach Parise and Ryan Suter: Sources

Holy hell that is a massive buyout. $20M still collectively owed to them
- eichiefs9

there's your replacement for Leddy & Komorov

there's your replacement for Leddy & Komorov
- Hell_Bent

Yea see my edit

Seriously though. They'll both be getting checks from the Wild, so they could be bargain signings if they want to play for a contender

Michael Russo @RussoHockey
30s
BREAKING NEWS: #mnwild buying out Zach Parise and Ryan Suter: Sources

Holy hell that is a massive buyout. $20M still collectively owed to them

Without putting much thought into it:

Eberle gone
Leddy gone
Buyout Leo
Send Johnston to BPT

Sign Parise/Suter to veteran minimum (or close to it) deals and re-sign Palmieri

No, this won't happen but it'd be quite an interesting move
- eichiefs9

This is for real?

Would love JP's son Zach on the Islanders.

So you wouldn't protect the Identity Line? Our captain, Lee? Bailey? Eberle? OK, I do see some rationale for your approach, but I think some of those forwards are even more important to the team than Leddy.

Hopefully, as 7 said, Lou will convince Seattle to pick Ladd.
- JohnScammo

Don't know if it gets done, however you have to think that is the first plan of attack.

I still think they'd need to find money elsewhere. Even if they clear out Leddy/Eberle's combined $11M cap hit, that gives them about $17M to get four guys signed and then replace the two guys they just traded/lost. That doesn't even include signing Palmieri, who has to be due some sort of raise (even if he gives us a discount to stay) and was already making $4.65M. You could probably just cancel out Eberle's savings if they were to re-sign Palmieri, give or take a little.

So then you're down to about a little over $11M to sign Pelech/Sorokin/Beau and Cizikas.

You could perma-send Johnston to BPT to save another $1M, so then you're a hair over $12M.

I'd say you could buyout Komarov, but then there's a hole at 3LW that needs to be filled and I'm not really sure they could fill that internally, which means they'd have to sign/acquire someone making the same or less money than Komarov.

It's gonna be a weird offseason
- eichiefs9

With the Isles great runs the last few years and Belmont opening and the Cap, this has to be the year Lou is able to get some players on a cheap.

Michael Russo @RussoHockey
30s
BREAKING NEWS: #mnwild buying out Zach Parise and Ryan Suter: Sources

Holy hell that is a massive buyout. $20M still collectively owed to them They'll be getting checks from the Wild until 2029

Without putting much thought into it:

Eberle gone
Leddy gone
Buyout Leo
Send Johnston to BPT

Sign Parise/Suter to veteran minimum (or close to it) deals and re-sign Palmieri

No, this won't happen but it'd be quite an interesting move
- eichiefs9

Just came here to ask what the odds are of one or both becoming Isles

Lou loves Parise and tried to get him here before with a bad-contract-for-bad-contract trade. And if you're losing Leddy via trade or expansion draft, I think Lou would be far more likely to want to replace him with a veteran rather than rolling the dice on a youngster for a top-four role.

Just came here to ask what the odds are of one or both becoming Isles

Lou loves Parise and tried to get him here before with a bad-contract-for-bad-contract trade. And if you're losing Leddy via trade or expansion draft, I think Lou would be far more likely to want to replace him with a veteran rather than rolling the dice on a youngster for a top-four role.
- UIF

If they found a way to replace Leddy with a comparable player for cheap (someone like Dunn from STL) and signed Suter instead of Green...that'd be a big win in my book. Suter is more intriguing to me than Parise.

I'm just not sure Suter could still handle top-4 minutes, but I'm not entirely sure he can't either. If they think he can play 2nd pair with Mayfield and then either re-sign Green or sign another vet (I'd love to see Chara) to play 3rd pair then things looks pretty damn good.

If they found a way to replace Leddy with a comparable player for cheap (someone like Dunn from STL) and signed Suter instead of Green...that'd be a big win in my book. Suter is more intriguing to me than Parise.

I'm just not sure Suter could still handle top-4 minutes, but I'm not entirely sure he can't either. If they think he can play 2nd pair with Mayfield and then either re-sign Green or sign another vet (I'd love to see Chara) to play 3rd pair then things looks pretty damn good.
- eichiefs9

Wouldn't be the worst gamble as long as they don't bet multiple years on him filling that role. It seems like a Lou-type move, too, if they were forced to replace Leddy.

I still think the smart money is on the top-four D staying as-is. I'm not sure exactly how, but I think Lou will try and move mountains to stick with what's worked.

If they found a way to replace Leddy with a comparable player for cheap (someone like Dunn from STL) and signed Suter instead of Green...that'd be a big win in my book. Suter is more intriguing to me than Parise.

I'm just not sure Suter could still handle top-4 minutes, but I'm not entirely sure he can't either. If they think he can play 2nd pair with Mayfield and then either re-sign Green or sign another vet (I'd love to see Chara) to play 3rd pair then things looks pretty damn good.
- eichiefs9

I never thought of Chara as a Chiefs-type of player. He's big and tough, but old and slow.

I'd like to see him return to the Isles just so I don't have to watch him beating up Martin.

You are only required to protect guys with no movement clauses, not no trade clauses. I'm sure they intend on protecting Lee/JGP anyway, but you are not required to protect anyone that only has a NTC.

The Islanders are almost certainly going the 7-3-1 route, not the 4-4-1 like the last time around. They'll protect 7 forwards plus Pelech/Pulock/Mayfield or Leddy (and it certainly seems like Mayfield will be the guy right now)

I think the protection list should be relatively obvious, as the roster looks right now anyway. It should likely be:

Barzal
Lee
Nelson
Bailey
Eberle
Beau
Pageau

Pelech
Pulock
Mayfield

Varly
- eichiefs9

I think your list of forwards is weighted too heavily towards the higher earners. As you said in a subsequent post, I could see them protecting Martin. I don't think you can even rule out Clutterbuck who was a big factor in the playoffs. Maybe even Cizikas, depending on what he signs for.