This team needs some Andrew Copp.
- Wildschwein

Meh. We need a player more substantial then Copp imo.

Meh. We need a player more substantial then Copp imo.
- Cptmjl

Copp is NOT the guy. Considering the Isles seemingly always strike out in free agency, who knows what direction Lou and Co. go? Another trade, perhaps?
Btw, I have a feeling the rags get Kane. Reunite him with Panarin.

Meh. We need a player more substantial then Copp imo.
- Cptmjl

Depending on what the plan is for the other LHD (Salo or otherwise) I wouldn't be surprised if Lou goes big-game hunting on Wednesday. If he moves out Bailey and/or Varlamov or Beauvillier then he'll have quite a bit of cap space to work with

Meh. We need a player more substantial then Copp imo.
- Cptmjl

I agree.

Depending on what the plan is for the other LHD (Salo or otherwise) I wouldn't be surprised if Lou goes big-game hunting on Wednesday. If he moves out Bailey and/or Varlamov or Beauvillier then he'll have quite a bit of cap space to work with
- eichiefs9

I would not waste more resources on another dman. Just go with Salo. You do not need an All-Star for the 3rd pairing. Defense is done onto the offense.

Having to move Toews was tough UIF. Hopefully Romanov works out well. The top 4 should be really good.

The Islanders need a real top line forward group. It's been a issue for far too long. Isles need a top 6 they can count on.
- ses111

I guess that's the thing, right? They didn't have to move Toews...they had to move salary, and Toews was moved so they could keep some other players they wanted to re-sign. That seemed like a tough, but OK move at the time; in retrospect, there's maybe, what, three or four players on the roster I wouldn't trade straight up right now for Toews?

I don't know if this will come off as realistic or crazy-fan negative, but I gotta think Lou's on the hot seat this season. The team's no doubt had success, but there have definitely been cracks in the facade that were easy to overlook when the team was barreling its way to the conference finals in successive years. Now, after a bad year, you start to focus on some of those moves...he's traded a bundle of assets for forwards who aren't scoring enough, received very little for d-men who are playing at a very high level on their new teams, fired arguably the best coach in the league, and there's not much to speak of in the system as far as prospects. Am I going too far by saying this offseason needs to be masterpiece for Lou? I won't judge anything on this move or the next move by themselves, but I think the team needs to be a powerhouse next year or Lou pays the price.

Copp is NOT the guy. Considering the Isles seemingly always strike out in free agency, who knows what direction Lou and Co. go? Another trade, perhaps?
Btw, I have a feeling the rags get Kane. Reunite him with Panarin.
- Mancalledsting

I hope they don’t. He would be a HUGE add for the Rangers imo.

I guess that's the thing, right? They didn't have to move Toews...they had to move salary, and Toews was moved so they could keep some other players they wanted to re-sign. That seemed like a tough, but OK move at the time; in retrospect, there's maybe, what, three or four players on the roster I wouldn't trade straight up right now for Toews?

I don't know if this will come off as realistic or crazy-fan negative, but I gotta think Lou's on the hot seat this season. The team's no doubt had success, but there have definitely been cracks in the facade that were easy to overlook when the team was barreling its way to the conference finals in successive years. Now, after a bad year, you start to focus on some of those moves...he's traded a bundle of assets for forwards who aren't scoring enough, received very little for d-men who are playing at a very high level on their new teams, fired arguably the best coach in the league, and there's not much to speak of in the system as far as prospects. Am I going too far by saying this offseason needs to be masterpiece for Lou? I won't judge anything on this move or the next move by themselves, but I think the team needs to be a powerhouse next year or Lou pays the price.
- UIF

Bingo. Just stated this on this thread and others for that matter.

Depending on what the plan is for the other LHD (Salo or otherwise) I wouldn't be surprised if Lou goes big-game hunting on Wednesday. If he moves out Bailey and/or Varlamov or Beauvillier then he'll have quite a bit of cap space to work with
- eichiefs9

Hope you’re right. This team doesn’t need a couple of middling/maybe forwards imo. We’ve needed a borderline game changer for years…

Hope you’re right. This team doesn’t need a couple of middling/maybe forwards imo. We’ve needed a borderline game changer for years…
- Cptmjl

We'll see. I'm giving Lou a couple weeks before I declare this offseason a victory or a failure

But I think Romanov gives us a player that won't eat up much cap space and maximizes the space to go sign a big ticket UFA...if any of them make it to UFA

Hope you’re right. This team doesn’t need a couple of middling/maybe forwards imo. We’ve needed a borderline game changer for years…
- Cptmjl

Now that we have Romanov to round out the D, we do need that big-time sniper to hopefully put us over the top.

We'll see. I'm giving Lou a couple weeks before I declare this offseason a victory or a failure

But I think Romanov gives us a player that won't eat up much cap space and maximizes the space to go sign a big ticket UFA...if any of them make it to UFA
- eichiefs9

Agreed

Chris Johnston
@reporterchris
Ville Husso has an agreement in place to sign with the #redwings, per source.

The goalie market gets thinner.

Varlamov's stock is going

I guess that's the thing, right? They didn't have to move Toews...they had to move salary, and Toews was moved so they could keep some other players they wanted to re-sign. That seemed like a tough, but OK move at the time; in retrospect, there's maybe, what, three or four players on the roster I wouldn't trade straight up right now for Toews?

I don't know if this will come off as realistic or crazy-fan negative, but I gotta think Lou's on the hot seat this season. The team's no doubt had success, but there have definitely been cracks in the facade that were easy to overlook when the team was barreling its way to the conference finals in successive years. Now, after a bad year, you start to focus on some of those moves...he's traded a bundle of assets for forwards who aren't scoring enough, received very little for d-men who are playing at a very high level on their new teams, fired arguably the best coach in the league, and there's not much to speak of in the system as far as prospects. Am I going too far by saying this offseason needs to be masterpiece for Lou? I won't judge anything on this move or the next move by themselves, but I think the team needs to be a powerhouse next year or Lou pays the price.
- UIF

Toews did have a tough playoff series before he was traded. We also have to remember he is playing with a loaded Colorado team so his number are much better. Barry also played a whole different system.


Lou has done a very nice job but this is a critical offseason for him and the team. You cannot take away the Isles playoff success but it did not occur during full regular seasons and did happen in the bubble. Things easily could have gone the other way. Islanders are going to have to do a much better job with young players and figure out how to get more offense out of the team without turning into Cappy and Doug's teams.

I hope they don’t. He would be a HUGE add for the Rangers imo.
- Cptmjl

Can the Rangers even fit Kane under the Cap without moving a big salary?

Can the Rangers even fit Kane under the Cap without moving a big salary?

- ses111

His cap hit is more than the space they currently have. But given what Chicago is doing over the last 24 hours they could probably offer them a roll of yarn and a half-empty Four Loko to get them to retain 50%

His cap hit is more than the space they currently have. But given what Chicago is doing over the last 24 hours they could probably offer them a roll of yarn and a half-empty Four Loko to get them to retain 50%
- eichiefs9

Have to keep the Rangers from making big moves. It's the Islanders turn now.

His cap hit is more than the space they currently have. But given what Chicago is doing over the last 24 hours they could probably offer them a roll of yarn and a half-empty Four Loko to get them to retain 50%
- eichiefs9

The rangers most likely feel they’re legit cup contenders so I can see them paying a pretty high price for Kane, Kane waving his NMC to go there, and Chicago retaining a lot of salary to make it happen. I for one hope it doesn’t I think Kane makes an already good rangers club much, much, better, and an exponentially bigger threat in the PO’s.

Have to keep the Rangers from making big moves. It's the Islanders turn now.
- ses111

Obviously Kane isn't the younger player we'd want for Barzal, and it doesn't appear we have the assets that chicago would want anyway, but how about Kane to the Isles? Bad fit?

The rangers most likely feel they’re legit cup contenders so I can see them paying a pretty high price for Kane, Kane waving his NMC to go there, and Chicago retaining a lot of salary to make it happen. I for one hope it doesn’t I think Kane makes an already good rangers club much, much, better, and a bigger threat in the PO’s.
- Cptmjl

Yeah, if you REALLY look at it, I can see him easily ending up with the rags.

Obviously Kane isn't the younger player we'd want for Barzal, and it doesn't appear we have the assets that chicago would want anyway, but how about Kane to the Isles? Bad fit?
- Mancalledsting

If there’s a way to make it happen I would do it without even thinking about it.

Copp is NOT the guy. Considering the Isles seemingly always strike out in free agency, who knows what direction Lou and Co. go? Another trade, perhaps?
Btw, I have a feeling the rags get Kane. Reunite him with Panarin.
- Mancalledsting

I dunno. Given legit top 6 minutes, me thinks he can be a 60+ point forward.

Very versatile player as well.

Obviously Kane isn't the younger player we'd want for Barzal, and it doesn't appear we have the assets that chicago would want anyway, but how about Kane to the Isles? Bad fit?
- Mancalledsting

Good fit. Short term fit most likely, but good.

Devils traded for Vanacek

Every goalie that comes off the board makes me a little more antsy to trade Varly, despite my previous thoughts on it. I don't know if Toronto or Edmonton can afford Kuemper/Campbell

Devils traded for Vanacek

Every goalie that comes off the board makes me a little more antsy to trade Varly, despite my previous thoughts on it. I don't know if Toronto or Edmonton can afford Kuemper/Campbell
- eichiefs9

Would be nice to keep Varly but moving his salary would be a plus. Wish the Isles had a young cheap goalie ready to be backup.