Barzal is NOT an elite player or at least what I classify as one. I doubt he ever will be imo. He underperformed last season along with the rest of the team. With that said while also factoring in some bad performances, if throwing the same cast of characters out there while expecting a different result is the plan I’ll go ahead and say that’s not really a plan. That’s doing nothing and expecting a different result. I say that while also factoring in players underperforming. If that’s the bet we’re taking on the season it’s a suckers bet. I for one think lameriello is trying to add to the lineup anyway he can.
- Cptmjl

Barzal certainly looked Elite when he was on Team Canada. Maybe new coach will help him.

https://nyihockeynow.com/...of-the-game-finland-iihf/

Barzal is a fine talent but is not elite and can use a sniper to finish his plays. I have to think Lou wants to add to this lineup and it will take more than a coaching change. Lou saw the need for a sniper when he went after Panarin and nothing has changed it terms of need with the Islanders.
- ses111

He has a 40 goal scorer on one of his wings... while Lee wouldn't exactly be categorized as a "sniper" .. he certainly can score. Hopefully Wahlstrom continues to improve and actually gets to play on that line b/c I think he has the shot, size, and willingness to shoot to become Barzal's Sniper.

Some rumors that Romanov was stuck in Russia... not true according to this guy.


Kevin Kurz
@KKurzNHL
·
53m
Alexander Romanov and his girlfriend are now in Miami, according to her Instagram account and confirmed by a league source.

yes, I read it... shockingly u are worried about lack of Cap room again.. and of course one of your remedies is to trade Beau. lol
- niteislander

They will not be adding a Gaudreau/Kadri/etc... without moving one of those players I mentioned (or someone/more than one player who's contract(s) is similar). I am not "worried" about cap room and I am not "suggesting" that we "remedy" anything by trading Beau. I'm stating universally accepted facts.

If that's what you took away from my post then your reading comprehension is severely lacking.

Barzal certainly looked Elite when he was on Team Canada. Maybe new coach will help him.

https://nyihockeynow.com/...of-the-game-finland-iihf/
- niteislander

I think all of us are for Barzal reaching elite status. Maybe lambert will utilize him differently and play him to his strengths better. With that said he needs a better supporting cast imo. I don’t think he’s the guy that’s going to make everyone around him better. Sure the right player could benefit from playing with Barzal but he’s not even close to a Crosby or McKinnon type player imo.

I think all of us are for Barzal reaching elite status. Maybe lambert will utilize him differently and play him better to his strengths. With that said he needs a better supporting cast imo. I don’t think he’s the guy that’s going to make everyone around him better. Sure the right player could benefit from playing with Barzal but he’s not even close to a Crosby or McKinnon type player imo.
- Cptmjl

Absolutely. He needs another guy, a finisher, to bring his game up to the next level. It's been way too many years of excuses of why the Isles management can't bring that type of guy in. Building, cap, etc. Other teams find a way. Ottawa(! )just did it with Debrincat. Enough with the excuses. I told my Isles fan friends that I would give Lou until the end of the offseason to upgrade this putrid offense. If he didn't do a damn thing and gave us the b.s. that he's "happy with the guys we have", I'd get out the old Garth Snow pitchforks.

He has a 40 goal scorer on one of his wings... while Lee wouldn't exactly be categorized as a "sniper" .. he certainly can score. Hopefully Wahlstrom continues to improve and actually gets to play on that line b/c I think he has the shot, size, and willingness to shoot to become Barzal's Sniper.
- niteislander

Lee is a nice player but cannot generate offense on his own. Sorry Schwein.

Absolutely. He needs another guy, a finisher, to bring his game up to the next level. It's been way too many years of excuses of why the Isles management can't bring that type of guy in. Building, cap, etc. Other teams find a way. Ottawa(! )just did it with Debrincat. Enough with the excuses. I told my Isles fan friends that I would give Lou until the end of the offseason to upgrade this putrid offense. If he didn't do a damn thing and gave us the b.s. that he's "happy with the guys we have", I'd get out the old Garth Snow pitchforks.
- Mancalledsting

I expect(hope) the team will perform as a whole better but I think there’s some truth to the islanders exceeding expectations at least partially due to the Covid shortened season. Two seasons ago I’m not sure we would’ve even made the playoffs. The team was sputtering and in a downward spiral leading up to the end of the season. Pelech was injured(team was playing like crap before he was injured btw). The Covid pause couldn’t have happened at a better time. If we played (lost)just a few more games we wouldn’t have been in.

With this said we all know the team underperformed. Palmeri, Beau, Barzal, and Lee are all better players then what we saw last season. But even if Wahlstrom or bellows takes off I think it’s kind of naive to believe the team is going to have a resurgence without any additions in a MUCH tougher eastern conference and metro division. Depending on players who didn’t perform for whatever reason to start performing on cue is a bit short sighted imo. I doubt Lameriello has this thought process. He may not land a top 6 but I have no doubt in my mind he’s trying.

I guess the question at this stage is, who do you want to sit in order to keep playing Bailey? Both Wally and Bellows are at stages in their career where they need to consistently play so we can determine to fish or cut bait. Someone has to be the odd man out
- keaner17

Don't get me wrong - I've never been a fan of Bailey. I'm fine with him being traded. I just find it funny that he gets dumped on all the time, then people here think we can trade him for a great return.

I don't think there is much of a market for him and I don't think the Isles want to trade him anyway. The organization has shown tremendous loyalty to Bailey. I think the odds are he retires as a lifelong Islander.

Don't get me wrong - I've never been a fan of Bailey. I'm fine with him being traded. I just find it funny that he gets dumped on all the time, then people here think we can trade him for a great return.

I don't think there is much of a market for him and I don't think the Isles want to trade him anyway. The organization has shown tremendous loyalty to Bailey. I think the odds are he retires as a lifelong Islander.
- JimmyP

To be honest I don’t recall anyone on here thinking we can get a good return for Bailey. Unless it wasn’t a regular and just one of the guys stopping by once every few months?

Lee is a nice player but cannot generate offense on his own. Sorry Schwein.
- ses111

To be honest I don’t recall anyone on here thinking we can get a good return for Bailey. Unless it wasn’t a regular and just one of the guys stopping by once every few months?
- Cptmjl

There has been plenty of talk about trading Bailey, along with other assets, to get a goal scorer for Barzal. I think it the other assets would have to be more than Lou would be willing to pay. If Lou could fleece another team then I'm all for it.

To be honest I don’t recall anyone on here thinking we can get a good return for Bailey. Unless it wasn’t a regular and just one of the guys stopping by once every few months?
- Cptmjl

Most proposals had Bailey as the cap dump. At least, so far as I can recall.

There has been plenty of talk about trading Bailey, along with other assets, to get a goal scorer for Barzal. I think it the other assets would have to be more than Lou would be willing to pay. If Lou could fleece another team then I'm all for it.
- JimmyP

Sure there has but he was the salary dump aspect of the trade not the part we would be getting the great return for. Or he was traded with a draft pick to some team looking to reach the floor. Not sure if that qualifies as a great return. I don’t think there’s anyone who thinks Bailey is a legit, trade for a great return, kind of asset. If he were he would’ve been gone already. Anyone who doesn’t think so is nuts.

Most proposals had Bailey as the cap dump. At least, so far as I can recall.
- Wildschwein

Yep

Most proposals had Bailey as the cap dump. At least, so far as I can recall.
- Wildschwein

No one asked you. Also Lou should trade Lee to Calgary.

No one asked you. Also Lou should trade Lee to Calgary.
- JimmyP

So now we’re trading Lee for a great return

- Wildschwein

Sure there has but he was the salary dump aspect of the trade not the part we would be getting the great return for. Or he was traded with a draft pick to some team looking to reach the floor. Not sure if that qualifies as a great return. I don’t think there’s anyone who thinks Bailey is a legit, trade for a great return, kind of asset. If he were he would’ve been gone already. Anyone who doesn’t think so is nuts.
- Cptmjl

My idea for trading Bailey is to free up cap space. Now if a team was willing to take Bailey as part of a package that works as well.

No one asked you. Also Lou should trade Lee to Calgary.
- JimmyP

I like you Jimmy. I’ll cut you last.

So now we’re trading Beauvillier for a cap space
- Cptmjl

Fixed that for you.

I like you Jimmy. I’ll cut you last.


- Wildschwein

Please forgive Jimmy. He is upset about the Bailey trade rumors.

Please forgive Jimmy. He is upset about the Bailey trade rumors.

- ses111

Fair enough. Bailey upsets us all.

Please forgive Jimmy. He is upset about the Bailey trade rumors.

- ses111

There are no Bailey trade rumors. The rumors are he's not on the market. Maybe Lou is playing hard to get.

There are no Bailey trade rumors. The rumors are he's not on the market. Maybe Lou is playing hard to get.
- JimmyP

Lee trade rumors?

Lou has to play it cool for the Bailey groupies.