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.
- JohnScammo

Greene is old and slow and he's done a pretty good job. As long as it's only for 3rd pairing minutes + some PK then I'm fine with it. I think Chara's leadership would be a fantastic add for the locker room and having him mentor Dobson would be extremely beneficial. For one year at-or-around the veteran minimum, I'd absolutely do it.

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.
- JohnScammo

No reason to sign Cizikas before the expansion draft at all. Even if they have an extension agreement in place, it would be stupid to sign him and then have to protect him.

Keep him unsigned until, at least, the day after the draft. No way Seattle selects a pending UFA who would have no obligation to sign with them, that'd be a wasted pick.

I think we all know Lamoriello's quote: "If you have time, use it". And, in this case, time solves a problem for him...so no need to rush things.

I don't think they'd take Clutterbuck, but if they did they'd clear a respectable amount of space off the cap which wouldn't be such a bad consolation prize.

No reason to sign Cizikas before the expansion draft at all. Even if they have an extension agreement in place, it would be stupid to sign him and then have to protect him.

Keep him unsigned until, at least, the day after the draft. No way Seattle selects a pending UFA who would have no obligation to sign with them, that'd be a wasted pick.

I think we all know Lamoriello's quote: "If you have time, use it". And, in this case, time solves a problem for him...so no need to rush things.

I don't think they'd take Clutterbuck, but if they did they'd clear a respectable amount of space off the cap which wouldn't be such a bad consolation prize.
- eichiefs9

bingo

Greene is old and slow and he's done a pretty good job. As long as it's only for 3rd pairing minutes + some PK then I'm fine with it. I think Chara's leadership would be a fantastic add for the locker room and having him mentor Dobson would be extremely beneficial. For one year at-or-around the veteran minimum, I'd absolutely do it.
- eichiefs9

Greene has been great for us but with that said he was pretty subpar in the playoffs imo. More so after the first round he looked spent. There most likely isn’t but if there’s an opportunity to improve that spot it wouldn’t be such a bad thing. I say this knowing that they’ll resign that guy till the day he dies on the ice most likely.

So many guys on Twitter and Insta gram want Isles to grab Parise... I don't want any part of him..36 years old stats are clearly on the decline... he strikes me as another Ladd. ... would rather Isles sign Palmieri and Casey. If we lose Leddy then maybe go after Seth Jones.

So many guys on Twitter and Insta gram want Isles to grab Parise... I don't want any part of him..36 years old stats are clearly on the decline... he strikes me as another Ladd. ... would rather Isles sign Palmieri and Casey. If we lose Leddy then maybe go after Seth Jones.
- niteislander

There's a zero percent chance they can afford to pay Jones what he'll be due without losing some key players

Greene is old and slow and he's done a pretty good job. As long as it's only for 3rd pairing minutes + some PK then I'm fine with it. I think Chara's leadership would be a fantastic add for the locker room and having him mentor Dobson would be extremely beneficial. For one year at-or-around the veteran minimum, I'd absolutely do it.
- eichiefs9

Come home and retire an Islander Chara.

Something someone suggested on Staple's Q&A just a little while ago that I hadn't thought of:

Moving Ladd to someone like either Chicago or Anaheim and getting a true LTIR player in return. Either Seabrook or Kesler. Ladd is due less real dollars than both of those players and both of them are legitimately LTIR candidates. The other teams saves actual cash and the Islanders are able to stash them on LTIR for significant cap help, that's a win-win for both sides.

That's something I could really see happening.

There's a zero percent chance they can afford to pay Jones what he'll be due without losing some key players
- eichiefs9

There is also Zero percent chance Parise and Suter take league minimum to join the Isles but here we are...


Seth is making 5.4 mill this year.. pretty much what Leddy is making right now. I would give up a lot to get him to play on this team this year.

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.
- JohnScammo

I don't think they protect Martin. He has too much term left. The Kraken aren't taking him imo.

There is also Zero percent chance Parise and Suter take league minimum to join the Isles but here we are...


Seth is making 5.4 mill this year.. pretty much what Leddy is making right now. I would give up a lot to get him to play on this team this year.
- niteislander

It would make sense for Parise and Sutter to sign cheap with a team that can win. They both are already getting paid by the Wild. What winning team is going to give them big money?

It would make sense for Parise and Sutter to sign cheap with a team that can win. They both are already getting paid by the Wild. What winning team is going to give them big money?
- ses111

you think they are going to take league minimum? A team like the Bruins would take Suter in a minute.. so would the caps.

It would make sense for Parise and Sutter to sign cheap with a team that can win. They both are already getting paid by the Wild. What winning team is going to give them big money?
- ses111

I was working on a post that made the same two points but spread out over three paragraphs. Glad I hit refresh before submitting it

you think they are going to take league minimum? A team like the Bruins would take Suter in a minute.. so would the caps.
- niteislander

Not league-minimum, but I'll be surprised if they hit some sort of major payday. I think good teams will view them as useful vet additions, but only at a lower price tag, above which the drawbacks outweigh the benefits.

you think they are going to take league minimum? A team like the Bruins would take Suter in a minute.. so would the caps.
- niteislander

Should not be about money at this point for both players. Would benefit both players to take a cheap deal for even a year. They are not going to starve anytime soon.

Not league-minimum, but I'll be surprised if they hit some sort of major payday. I think good teams will view them as useful vet additions, but only at a lower price tag, above which the drawbacks outweigh the benefits.
- UIF

Exactly. Maybe not league minimum but a lower price for sure. Pretty dumb if both players are looking to cash in.

Should not be about money at this point for both players. Would benefit both players to take a cheap deal for even a year. They are not going to starve anytime soon.
- ses111

They are at an age where this very likely is their last contract too. I agree that they would like to go to a team that is good.. but I don't see them signing a cheap deal either.. I guess we will see

Something someone suggested on Staple's Q&A just a little while ago that I hadn't thought of:

Moving Ladd to someone like either Chicago or Anaheim and getting a true LTIR player in return. Either Seabrook or Kesler. Ladd is due less real dollars than both of those players and both of them are legitimately LTIR candidates. The other teams saves actual cash and the Islanders are able to stash them on LTIR for significant cap help, that's a win-win for both sides.

That's something I could really see happening.
- eichiefs9

You would have to give Chicago or The Ducks a sweetener to take Ladd imho. They don't gain anything and the Isles would gain cap relief. If that's the case make the deal with the Kraken and you don't lose anyone but Ladd in the Expansion Draft.

They are at an age where this very likely is their last contract too. I agree that they would like to go to a team that is good.. but I don't see them signing a cheap deal either.. I guess we will see
- niteislander

Their last contract was their last great contract. They are past their prime now. They have huge issues if they are still trying to strike it big at this stage. Parise especially should be looking at a cheap deal.

you think they are going to take league minimum? A team like the Bruins would take Suter in a minute.. so would the caps.
- niteislander

Suter may not, but I'd imagine Parise would be pretty close to it. The chances of them signing for the league minimum are a lot more likely than the Islanders signing Jones.

You want Jones then you have to trade Pulock, simple as that.

You would have to give Chicago or The Ducks a sweetener to take Ladd imho. They don't gain anything and the Isles would gain cap relief. If that's the case make the deal with the Kraken and you don't lose anyone but Ladd in the Expansion Draft.
- nyisles7

They gain actual dollars saved. Doesn't show up on the cap, but it means a lot to owners after two years of depleted cash flow. The Isles will be paying Ladd's $3M bonus, which leaves only $5M of actual money owed to him over the next two years.

Doesn't save a ton for the Ducks, only about $1.5M-ish, but it saves $10.5M (Keith is owed $15.5M on the remainder of his deal) in actual salary that the Hawks owe to Seabrook. That's a lot of money.

The Kraken have no reason at all to take him, we'd have to fork over a wheelbarrow full of assets.

They gain actual dollars saved. Doesn't show up on the cap, but it means a lot to owners after two years of depleted cash flow. The Isles will be paying Ladd's $3M bonus, which leaves only $5M of actual money owed to him over the next two years.

Doesn't save a ton for the Ducks, only about $1.5M-ish, but it saves $10.5M in actual salary that the Hawks owe to Seabrook. That's a lot of money.
- eichiefs9

I get that, I just don't think The Hawks help The Islanders with their cap hit by taking their worst salary off their hands without a sweetener. Beside Teams usually have insurance on their high priced contracts in case of injury so I would bet the Hawks aren't paying the salaries out of their pockets and the team is benefiting from the LTIR status.

I get that, I just don't think The Hawks help The Islanders with their cap hit by taking their worst salary off their hands without a sweetener. Beside Teams usually have insurance on their high priced contracts in case of injury so I would bet the Hawks aren't paying the salaries out of their pockets and the team is benefiting from the LTIR status.
- nyisles7

Possibly, but it's happened before and I don't see any reason why it's impossible it could happen again. Tampa did it in December, trading for Gaborik who was on LTIR with Ottawa.

Suter may not, but I'd imagine Parise would be pretty close to it. The chances of them signing for the league minimum are a lot more likely than the Islanders signing Jones.

You want Jones then you have to trade Pulock, simple as that.
- eichiefs9

Even Suter in this environment you have to think will be reasonable. Really hard to get the payday when you are a player like Suter and Parise with the Cap situation and if they want to be on a team that is close.

Not league-minimum, but I'll be surprised if they hit some sort of major payday. I think good teams will view them as useful vet additions, but only at a lower price tag, above which the drawbacks outweigh the benefits.
- UIF

Both made good money during their careers and will continue to get paid. I don't see either guy who both went to Mn to be near their families and hometowns, move their families away for a low priced short term contract. Just my opinion of course.