4% chance at making the playoffs

Agreed here.
Barzy, Lee, Beau, Nelson, Wally, Pageau, Zeeker, Pelly, Pulock, Mayfield, Salo and Sorokin would be my core.
We're not going to be able to sell Palmieri due to his contract so he'll remain. Martin too. Unfortunately I think we're stuck with Bailey too.
The rest of the pending UFA's should be dealt for picks.
My concern here is even with those job openings, this organization has continued to place too much emphesis on experience over talent. This league more than ever is predicated on youth and speed. Unless the club reverses their stance on that, I'd worry our new additions might be more of the same
- keaner17

In a perfect world I agree to this core 100%.

4% chance at making the playoffs


- eichiefs9

5% chance according to my site.
http://www.playoffstatus....nhl/easternstandings.html

In a perfect world I agree to this core 100%.
- nyisles7

But since we don't live in a perfect world, I'd be listening to offers on a number of those "core" guys, too.

But since we don't live in a perfect world, I'd be listening to offers on a number of those "core" guys, too.
- JohnScammo

LOL,

Going to be interesting what the off season will bring. I hope it’s a summer of shat signings and trades because then we will be all set.

5% chance according to my site.
http://www.playoffstatus....nhl/easternstandings.html
- JohnScammo

4%, 5%...whatever

He’s an extremely talented player with unbelievable skating ability, hence his take aways. However the give always need to be cleaned up. If he wants to be that player he can be. He just needs to want it. Again it’s easy to make excuses for him but that doesn’t help him get better. For me one guy can’t do it alone and you can’t blame others for your miscues. Learn from them.

Below is a part of the Athletic writers view.

“But just plugging in some young legs for spot duty here and there won’t be enough, especially considering it wasn’t just one or two misplays by depth players that cost the Islanders against the Kraken. The top players had off nights, too. The top line of Lee, Mathew Barzal and Josh Bailey, in particular, had a rough time and was on the ice for the two goals against at five-on-five when they were out-chanced 5-1, according to Natural Stat Trick. Barzal especially looked lost; he was tagged with a game-high four giveaways and managed just one shot on goal.

“You’re only as good as your top players. Our top players weren’t very good tonight,” Trotz said. “Our workers were OK. Our top players weren’t very good tonight.”
- nyisles7

Indeed, one player can't do it on their own. Yet we expect him to. There's no doubt he turns the puck over way too much. He makes a lot of unforced erros but most are forced, partly because he either skates himself into trouble or defenses totally commit to converging on him. A decent offensively skilled linemate can help quite a bit in that category. Barzy's best natural skill is the ability to hold the puck and buy time for other players to find spots for him to set up opportunities . It's why his best output came with someone like Eberle, who could have been upgraded with his departure.
When I was in college we had a so-so year with a lot of new young kids at forward positions. We still had one kid who was insanely talented. I mean NHL level talent but a bit too lazy to commit to a career. Fastest skater, best hands and hardest shot of anyone I ever played with including several NHLers and minor leaguers. He dominated every game scoring buckets of goals. When we suddenly found ourselves matched with better programs his output suffered, not because he wasn't still better than them but because the rest of our forwards weren't good enough to help him out. He became one amazing player against a sea of very good players. It made him look ordinary at times.
With Barzy, I just don't think his strengths have been accommodated by the proper personnel. I'm not saying this will clean up all of his bone-headed plays, but it would drop those turnover numbers down, I guarantee it.
Ultimately I just don't think he's ever going to be that two way player who is always careful with the puck. In a way, what makes Barzal good, is also what makes him frustrating. He's a hotdogger who takes risks and creates chaos in the offensive zone. He's far less useful if you don't capitalize on his strengths as opposed to increase the likeliness of his weaknesses.
Maybe he's just not a good fit for this system and team philosophy.

Incidentally Filip Forsberg is a UFA and has spent some time at winger. Lee Barzal Forsberg would look nice

Incidentally Filip Forsberg is a UFA and has spent some time at winger. Lee Barzal Forsberg would look nice
- keaner17

Lee hasn't done sht either ... in that game you would not even know he played. Our "captain" didn't hit anyone, didn't shoot, didn't block any shots and was a +/- -2 in the game. He skates like he has a piano on his back too.

Lee hasn't done sht either ... in that game you would not even know he played. Our "captain" didn't hit anyone, didn't shoot, didn't screen the goalie, and didn't block any shots and was a +/- -2 in the game. He skates like he has a piano on his back too.
- niteislander

Incidentally Filip Forsberg is a UFA and has spent some time at winger. Lee Barzal Forsberg would look nice
- keaner17

There are a bunch of high end forwards slated to be free agents, of which some will hit the market. Id take one of: Barkov, Forsberg, Hertl, Palat, or Burakovsky if they make it to market!!

Lee hasn't done sht either ... in that game you would not even know he played. Our "captain" didn't hit anyone, didn't shoot, didn't block any shots and was a +/- -2 in the game. He skates like he has a piano on his back too.
- niteislander

He's got some goals as he should given his role, but Lee has looked very slow this year.

I'd love to see how many odd man rushes that line has generated versus other teams top lines. Despite Barzy's speed, I would bet it's in the bottom half

Indeed, one player can't do it on their own. Yet we expect him to. There's no doubt he turns the puck over way too much. He makes a lot of unforced erros but most are forced, partly because he either skates himself into trouble or defenses totally commit to converging on him. A decent offensively skilled linemate can help quite a bit in that category. Barzy's best natural skill is the ability to hold the puck and buy time for other players to find spots for him to set up opportunities . It's why his best output came with someone like Eberle, who could have been upgraded with his departure.
When I was in college we had a so-so year with a lot of new young kids at forward positions. We still had one kid who was insanely talented. I mean NHL level talent but a bit too lazy to commit to a career. Fastest skater, best hands and hardest shot of anyone I ever played with including several NHLers and minor leaguers. He dominated every game scoring buckets of goals. When we suddenly found ourselves matched with better programs his output suffered, not because he wasn't still better than them but because the rest of our forwards weren't good enough to help him out. He became one amazing player against a sea of very good players. It made him look ordinary at times.
With Barzy, I just don't think his strengths have been accommodated by the proper personnel. I'm not saying this will clean up all of his bone-headed plays, but it would drop those turnover numbers down, I guarantee it.
Ultimately I just don't think he's ever going to be that two way player who is always careful with the puck. In a way, what makes Barzal good, is also what makes him frustrating. He's a hotdogger who takes risks and creates chaos in the offensive zone. He's far less useful if you don't capitalize on his strengths as opposed to increase the likeliness of his weaknesses.
Maybe he's just not a good fit for this system and team philosophy.
- keaner17

Of course if you put Panarin on his wing he would definitely have more assists but I don’t think it would help his TO’s. That has to come from him. Just like the talented guy you played with that didn’t make it.
Where did you play?

McIntyre wondered if a change of scenery might be in the best interest of Scheifele and the Jets. He’s two years away from becoming an unrestricted free agent and could still fetch a handsome return.

Send them AB, Bellows and 1st

Top line would be

Lee Scheifele Barzy.

There are a bunch of high end forwards slated to be free agents, of which some will hit the market. Id take one of: Barkov, Forsberg, Hertl, Palat, or Burakovsky if they make it to market!!
- streaks

Barkov is slated to be a UFA in 2030, so you're going to have to be patient on that one

McIntyre wondered if a change of scenery might be in the best interest of Scheifele and the Jets. He’s two years away from becoming an unrestricted free agent and could still fetch a handsome return.

Send them AB, Bellows and 1st

Top line would be

Lee Scheifele Barzy.
- Nfdbulldawg

That's not a handsome return

Barkov is slated to be a UFA in 2030, so you're going to have to be patient on that one
- eichiefs9

Haha must have been an old article I read. My bad.

Haha must have been an old article I read. My bad.
- streaks

I'm very interested in Forsberg and Hertl. Burakovsky is an interesting one. He's took off since playing with the Avs but I'm wondering if that's because he matured and improved or because he plays with the Avs. He'd likely be cheaper than the other two. I like Palat, but he seems to get injured somewhat frequently.

I think addressing the defense will be equally, if not more, important than anything. I'd still like to explore prying Theodore away from Vegas. They desperately need more puck-moving/speed from the blueline after losing Toews/Leddy the last two summers and I think it's a big part of the reason they're struggling this year. Almost all of their defenseman are just chipping pucks off the glass and out, instead of exiting with some control.

Of course if you put Panarin on his wing he would definitely have more assists but I don’t think it would help his TO’s. That has to come from him. Just like the talented guy you played with that didn’t make it.
Where did you play?
- nyisles7

I think having more dangerous options on a line would perhaps keep defenses more honest and create more space for Barzy. Guess we won't know til we find out.
As for where I played: sorry, I learned long ago to not disclose that stuff online given my job role. I made the mistake of providing details of my destinations on another site and was soon pm'd with my identity. That's not happening again. I will say I've skated all over the place. Toured Russia, Sweedan, Finland, spent time with an affiliate. My college is unimpressive. I spent sometime coaching there too, but that wasn't impressive either lol. I got around for a while..

I'm very interested in Forsberg and Hertl. Burakovsky is an interesting one. He's took off since playing with the Avs but I'm wondering if that's because he matured and improved or because he plays with the Avs. He'd likely be cheaper than the other two. I like Palat, but he seems to get injured somewhat frequently.

I think addressing the defense will be equally, if not more, important than anything. I'd still like to explore prying Theodore away from Vegas. They desperately need more puck-moving/speed from the blueline after losing Toews/Leddy the last two summers and I think it's a big part of the reason they're struggling this year. Almost all of their defenseman are just chipping pucks off the glass and out, instead of exiting with some control.
- eichiefs9

Regarding the defensemen, I have to agree with your assessment on the loss of Leddy and Toews and the overall effect on the team. Neither was replaced leaving a void of a puck moving left hander. In addition to Theodore, I’d kick the tires Hampus Lindholm too. He’s a UFA this summer but would be a nice fit on the left side.

LOL,

Going to be interesting what the off season will bring. I hope it’s a summer of shat signings and trades because then we will be all set.
- nyisles7

What will Lou do he has not really done nothing but bring in old ex New Jersey Players .

I think having more dangerous options on a line would perhaps keep defenses more honest and create more space for Barzy. Guess we won't know til we find out.
As for where I played: sorry, I learned long ago to not disclose that stuff online given my job role. I made the mistake of providing details of my destinations on another site and was soon pm'd with my identity. That's not happening again. I will say I've skated all over the place. Toured Russia, Sweedan, Finland, spent time with an affiliate. My college is unimpressive. I spent sometime coaching there too, but that wasn't impressive either lol. I got around for a while..
- keaner17

Understand totally. I’m sure you got around

What will Lou do he has not really done nothing but bring in old ex New Jersey Players .
- roadworker

Stop, the team was and absolute poop show and in a summer he hired a great coach( who never would have come without Lou) brought in character guys and made the POs year one. After losing JT for nada. Then proceeded to make the ECF the next 2 years.
On top of the success he has brought to the team on the ice he has made the entire organization a well run and once again respected NHL asset.

I can’t understand why some in this fanbase don’t give credit where credit is due

Understand totally. I’m sure you got around
- nyisles7

Ooof lol

Stop, the team was and absolute poop show and in a summer he hired a great coach( who never would have come without Lou) brought in character guys and made the POs year one. After losing JT for nada. Then proceeded to make the ECF the next 2 years.
On top of the success he has brought to the team on the ice he has made the entire organization a well run and once again respected NHL asset.

I can’t understand why some in this fanbase don’t give credit where credit is due
- nyisles7

Fire Lou and shoot Barry into the sun!!! They don't deserve to be here.