I would think with Lou’s age alone they are in win now mode. Free agency is tough enough with the number of quality players available being very low and the Islanders not high on most players radar. Islanders are in a weird place if they want to go for it with the lack of quality prospects to trade.
- ses111

100%. We may be a team that needs to go for it but that doesn’t change the fact that we don’t have the assets to do what we need to do. We would have to legitimately mortgage our future and I’m starting to feel that’s not the right path. That’s subject to change with a good move or two which very well may happen. Team needs an at least consistent, 30+ goal scorer. We’ll see…

Think outside the box. Lou has gone off the table when he's struck a move the past few years. Everyone keeps talking about Johnny G. but we know that's not a viable answer.
Look at teams that have a history of moving players and may want to make a splash. Teams for me are Florida and Vegas..
Florida wants to move Bob but not sure they can for that contract is real bad. But, what about Sam Reinhart? $6.5 M for 2 more years is a great deal but if they really want Giroux, someone would have to go there.
Vegas is always in cap hell. That's the one team I feel would trade their own mother if the deal was there. I wouldn't personally want this guy because he hasn't played a full season in years but what about Mark Stone? Lou tried really hard to get him a few years back but failed. He fits the kind of player the Isles covet and Vegas could really use cap.
Lou could make an out of left field deal like that. Move Beau plus prospects and/ or picks to Vegas, saves them about 5-6 million and then move Bailey to a team like Ottawa who could use a vet to help that core.
Just a thought but think of teams and players that you weren't thinking of before, that's usually how Lou operates.

Islanders re-sign seven players yesterday but found the Grant Hutton contract interesting, he got new 3 year with the 1st year being 2 way and the last two years being one way. That’s a good sign for him.




John Tonelli for HOF

Islanders re-sign seven players yesterday but found the Grant Hutton contract interesting, he got new 3 year with the 1st year being 2 way and the last two years being one way. That’s a good sign for him.




John Tonelli for HOF
- Tee56

Thought that was interesting also. They seemed to like him last season.

It won't surprise me but it sounds like Lou was trying to make some moves. Who knows if that's true. I'm still hoping there is more coming.
- JimmyP

I do believe that Palmieri and JGP were dealing with injuries at the beginning of the season. I do not believe JGP was 100% after his surgery on his wrist. Bur he started to come around towards end. Same thing with Palms.

But there is no denying that this team regressed this past season. By the looks of things it does not appear that the Isles will be moving anyone or signing anyone in the upcoming days.

That being said, this team should be on a short leash. 10 games in if it is not working there needs to be a move made. Can not have a team full of passengers. Or we will be on the outside of the playoffs again.

If Miller hits the market do you go after him? My answer is yes!!! Push all the chips into middle. 7 year deal pushes him to 36.

Move Barzal to wing. Miller's face off % is almost 10% higher than Barzal. Miller also exceeds Barzal in all offensive categories.

Miller is definitely more responsible defensively. The team at this point would just be giving up money. Maybe even pull a leafs or lighting move to take on a LTIR contract to make it happen.

Parise, Chara and Greene are the only UFAs I believe? I thought Parise had a great second half and busted his ass the entire season. Would like to seen him back.

If Miller hits the market do you go after him? My answer is yes!!! Push all the chips into middle. 7 year deal pushes him to 36.

Move Barzal to wing. Miller's face off % is almost 10% higher than Barzal. Miller also exceeds Barzal in all offensive categories.

Miller is definitely more responsible defensively. The team at this point would just be giving up money. Maybe even pull a leafs or lighting move to take on a LTIR contract to make it happen.
- Nfdbulldawg

We already went after Miller deal fell through involving 13th pick. Not sure if there’s another route to get Miller without it?

Parise, Chara and Greene are the only UFAs I believe? I thought Parise had a great second half and busted his ass the entire season. Would like to seen him back.
- streaks

Wouldn’t mind seeing Parise back at a close to league minimum contract as possible.

We already went after Miller deal fell through involving 13th pick. Not sure if there’s another route to get Miller without it?
- Cptmjl

There is. But if the humbug is true, that route is Barzal.

Wouldn’t mind seeing Parise back at a close to league minimum contract as possible.
- Cptmjl

Pretty sure they extended him another year months ago

Pretty sure they extended him another year months ago
- Vukota

Yeah you’re right I’m an idiot

There is. But if the humbug is true, that route is Barzal.
- Wildschwein

Ouch that would make little to no sense for us but value wise is pretty close.

Ouch that would make little to no sense for us but value wise is pretty close.
- Cptmjl

Only way it makes sense is if Miller signs an extension prior to the trade.

Lee-Miller-Wahlstrom(?)
Beauvillier-Nelson-Palmieri
Parise-Pageau-Bailey

I don’t hate this. Though we’d almost certainly hate the last third of any Miller contract.

Only way it makes sense is if Miller signs an extension prior to the trade.

Lee-Miller-Wahlstrom(?)
Beauvillier-Nelson-Palmieri
Parise-Pageau-Bailey

I don’t hate this. Though we’d almost certainly hate the last third of any Miller contract.
- Wildschwein

To me Miller is more of a complete player but Barzal also has unrealized upside imo. Every season I’m expecting(hoping) Barzal really separates himself as a great player. Maybe it won’t happen but the talent is there obviously. Who knows maybe lambert unlocks it? With that said we have to find a way to add to our top 6 without losing anyone from it minus Beau or Bailey imo.

To me Miller is more of a complete player but Barzal also has unrealized upside imo. Every season I’m expecting(hoping) Barzal really separates himself as a great player. Maybe it won’t happen but the talent is there obviously. Who knows maybe lambert unlocks it? With that said we have to find a way to add to our top 6 without losing anyone from it minus Beau or Bailey imo.
- Cptmjl

That’s my hope as well.

To me Miller is more of a complete player but Barzal also has unrealized upside imo. Every season I’m expecting(hoping) Barzal really separates himself as a great player. Maybe it won’t happen but the talent is there obviously. Who knows maybe lambert unlocks it? With that said we have to find a way to add to our top 6 without losing anyone from it minus Beau or Bailey imo.
- Cptmjl

I just don't think Barry's system was a good fit for Barzy. We'll see how this season pans out fo him. I think with Bellows starting to come into his own, Wally also getting a bit more leash and Palmierri and JGP settling back in to their game, the team can be much better offensively. Romanov is a wonderful addition to help solidify our top four on defense. I think this alone will make them a tough team to play.

That said we still all want that 30+ goal scorer for our top line. I just don't see it coming from an external add.

To me Miller is more of a complete player but Barzal also has unrealized upside imo. Every season I’m expecting(hoping) Barzal really separates himself as a great player. Maybe it won’t happen but the talent is there obviously. Who knows maybe lambert unlocks it? With that said we have to find a way to add to our top 6 without losing anyone from it minus Beau or Bailey imo.
- Cptmjl

I just hope Lambert is not a get off my lawn type coach with the young players. We had enough of that going all the way back to Ted Nolan. You obviously need vets but much of the team should be young players.

I just don't think Barry's system was a good fit for Barzy. We'll see how this season pans out fo him. I think with Bellows starting to come into his own, Wally also getting a bit more leash and Palmierri and JGP settling back in to their game, the team can be much better offensively. Romanov is a wonderful addition to help solidify our top four on defense. I think this alone will make them a tough team to play.

That said we still all want that 30+ goal scorer for our top line. I just don't see it coming from an external add.
- keaner17

If one of bellows or Wahlstrom step up we’re in a much better spot but adding a real scoring threat will make us legit. Lameriello has to find a way to make it happen.

I just hope Lambert is not a get off my lawn type coach with the young players. We had enough of that going all the way back to Ted Nolan. You obviously need vets but much of the team should be young players.
- ses111

Lameriello himself said there would be more of a focus on young players development this season. I assume he wasn’t happy with Trotz’s utilization of bellows and Wahlstrom so I think there will be more of a push to playing the kids.

If one of bellows or Wahlstrom step up we’re in a much better spot but adding a real scoring threat will make us legit. Lameriello has to find a way to make it happen.
- Cptmjl

The disappointment with Lou and Barry has been not being able to make the big FA splash. It's still crazy to think Neil Smith made a bigger splash in FA in a short amount of time.

Lameriello himself said there would be more of a focus on young players development this season. I assume he wasn’t happy with Trotz’s utilization of bellows and Wahlstrom so I think there will be more of a push to playing the kids.
- Cptmjl

There better be more focus on young player development. Cannot keep wasting young talent and saying they are difficult and throw your hand up.

If one of bellows or Wahlstrom step up we’re in a much better spot but adding a real scoring threat will make us legit. Lameriello has to find a way to make it happen.
- Cptmjl

Bellows really started showing something down the final stretch last season and he was really sharp at the IIHF World's. I'm hopeful that he'll become a good 20+ guy this year if he gets the opportunity.

Lou candidly suggested he would make a player trade, but at this point I'm not sure who he would offer if Varly and Bailey are both staying, since the money may be tight for a significant player.

Bellows really started showing something down the final stretch last season and he was really sharp at the IIHF World's. I'm hopeful that he'll become a good 20+ guy this year if he gets the opportunity.

Lou candidly suggested he would make a player trade, but at this point I'm not sure who he would offer if Varly and Bailey see both staying, since the money may be tight for a significant player.
- keaner17

Bellows need to be given a real look and Bailey should be moved out to make it possible. Islanders have been more willing to give a shot to young dman but young forwards have not been given a fair chance.

I do not like the Isles chances signing a top UFA even if available and the Cap room is there. Players seem to like playing for the Islanders once they get here but the trick has been to sign a top UFA.

I just don't think Barry's system was a good fit for Barzy. We'll see how this season pans out fo him. I think with Bellows starting to come into his own, Wally also getting a bit more leash and Palmierri and JGP settling back in to their game, the team can be much better offensively. Romanov is a wonderful addition to help solidify our top four on defense. I think this alone will make them a tough team to play.

That said we still all want that 30+ goal scorer for our top line. I just don't see it coming from an external add.
- keaner17

There is definitely some truth to this but Barry’s system was good for the islanders. We had quite a bit of success with it.