Couldn't or wouldn't.
I'm one of the few who isn't that bothered by missing out on JG with the exception of yet another negative public showing.
- keaner17

Like I said, as long as there's a plan B...and if that fails, a plan C...then I'm fine with it. I'm less fine with it if we get something similar to the "we really like our group" line after Lou specifically identified scoring as the area of need for the offseason.

Well, I guess you can get a clear idea of where Lou's value is placed. He clearly likes having Varly in the fold, which I can't entirely say is a bad take. He didn't want to part with Beau to make this happen and Bailey is likely untradeable without adding sweetners. He still has to sign Dobson and Bellows, so that does tighten the cap.
I don't think Lou has ever placed a lot of value in high end skilled forwards, not that he won't make offers where affordable, but they don't appear to teump other positions he values more
We'll just have to see what he does next

Like I said, as long as there's a plan B...and if that fails, a plan C...then I'm fine with it. I'm less fine with it if we get something similar to the "we really like our group" line after Lou specifically identified scoring as the area of need for the offseason.
- UIF

Funny thing is, when he mentioned scoring, he said he wanted more scoring from our defense. He really never mentioned having to add a sniper

I honestly don't think you'll see a UFA addition at this point. The only way they can add a forward is by trading someone due to our overcrowding issue. Lou set the table for these troubles by not trading a player or two off last season. I know folks get tired of the Bailey hammering, but his occupancy here is bad at this point. I still don't like the Martin and Cal extensions either. That said, we can still compete and have cash in hand for a trade to happen down the road

Like I said, as long as there's a plan B...and if that fails, a plan C...then I'm fine with it. I'm less fine with it if we get something similar to the "we really like our group" line after Lou specifically identified scoring as the area of need for the offseason.
- UIF

For me, if he says that, off with his head.

Funny thing is, when he mentioned scoring, he said he wanted more scoring from our defense. He really never mentioned having to add a sniper

I honestly don't think you'll see a UFA addition at this point. The only way they can add a forward is by trading someone due to our overcrowding issue. Lou set the table for these troubles by not trading a player or two off last season. I know folks get tired of the Bailey hammering, but his occupancy here is bad at this point. I still don't like the Martin and Cal extensions either.
- keaner17

I hope Lou finds a Paul Coffey for the defense.


I like Martin but with Ross on the team it might have been better to move on. Cal should have been moved for a pick. I could not agree more on Bailey.

Funny thing is, when he mentioned scoring, he said he wanted more scoring from our defense. He really never mentioned having to add a sniper

I honestly don't think you'll see a UFA addition at this point. The only way they can add a forward is by trading someone due to our overcrowding issue. Lou set the table for these troubles by not trading a player or two off last season. I know folks get tired of the Bailey hammering, but his occupancy here is bad at this point. I still don't like the Martin and Cal extensions either. That said, we can still compete and have cash in hand for a trade to happen down the road
- keaner17

Well he didn't add that either, so the scoring has to come from somewhere!

There are certainly positive attributes to Romanov's game, but scoring hasn't been one of them, at least up to now, so that doesn't really fit the bill.

Well he didn't add that either, so the scoring has to come from somewhere!

There are certainly positive attributes to Romanov's game, but scoring hasn't been one of them, at least up to now, so that doesn't really fit the bill.
- UIF

Definitely didn't. But I think he was suggesting more scoring from our present dmen. He mentioned making a "hockey trade" (glad he got the sport right, I guess). Perhaps some cap casualties will lead to something. I'm betting on the "we believe this team can win" crap again. While I think that's true, we have dine very little over the past year to get better

the Nino and Greene signs are imminent at this point.

Really hate to say this, but I think that queef, Tanner, may have been right in his assessment 3 years ago

I thought it was super easy to clear cap space
- eichiefs9

I Would love to know what Lou offered.
I guess he didn’t want to put himself in a position where he had to use prospects and picks to clear cap space. The team is light as far as prospects.

Like I said, as long as there's a plan B...and if that fails, a plan C...then I'm fine with it. I'm less fine with it if we get something similar to the "we really like our group" line after Lou specifically identified scoring as the area of need for the offseason.
- UIF

This is like clockwork. Every July we get on this message board and say the same poop after getting overly excited about the possibility of adding an elite talent to a group that needs an elite talent to take another step. Every year we’re disappointed.

This team needs to get an elite scorer. It needs an 85-100 pt/season talent. That is what has been missing for years now. That guy is not available in free agency now. It was gaudreau and he is off the table.

Kadri doesn’t address a need at wing. If they sign Kadri, can they move maybe a pageau in a package for a winger? I have no idea. Not likely.

I don’t see how they have the assets to swing a trade for JT Miller or Tarasenko at this point. The farm is nearly devoid of talent altogether. There are no young prospects that move the needle and if they keep trading away picks, they’ll have no prospects at all.

I live in Ohio. I love Columbus. It’s a great town. But for the isles to lose out on Gaudreau to Columbus, whose list of guys that have demanded trades out of there in recent years includes Johannesen, Seth Jones, DuBois and Anderson and an inability to keep its own FAs like Panarin, Bobrovsky and Duchene, is troubling. The isles essentially lost out on a player to a team that has not been able to convince players to come/stay there for years.

Really hate to say this, but I think that queef, Tanner, may have been right in his assessment 3 years ago
- crdemartino

And that is? Must’ve missed it lol

And that is? Must’ve missed it lol
- Joey1724

Something along the lines of us not being as good as our play at the time made us to believe. That we overachieved hard and that it was only because we just let up less goals. That Lou was way past his prime, have out terrible contracts, and wouldn’t make us an actual legit contender. That we weren’t in much better position capewise than Toronto and that that would become more apparent a few years from then (now).

Fúck that guy

This is like clockwork. Every July we get on this message board and say the same poop after getting overly excited about the possibility of adding an elite talent to a group that needs an elite talent to take another step. Every year we’re disappointed.

This team needs to get an elite scorer. It needs an 85-100 pt/season talent. That is what has been missing for years now. That guy is not available in free agency now. It was gaudreau and he is off the table.

Kadri doesn’t address a need at wing. If they sign Kadri, can they move maybe a pageau in a package for a winger? I have no idea. Not likely.

I don’t see how they have the assets to swing a trade for JT Miller or Tarasenko at this point. The farm is nearly devoid of talent altogether. There are no young prospects that move the needle and if they keep trading away picks, they’ll have no prospects at all.

I live in Ohio. I love Columbus. It’s a great town. But for the isles to lose out on Gaudreau to Columbus, whose list of guys that have demanded trades out of there in recent years includes Johannesen, Seth Jones, DuBois and Anderson and an inability to keep its own FAs like Panarin, Bobrovsky and Duchene, is troubling. The isles essentially lost out on a player to a team that has not been able to convince players to come/stay there for years.
- Jethro09

That's the thing more than the player himself, imo. Losing out to the Rangers, who every player seemingly wants to play for; or Colorado fresh off a Stanley Cup win would be one thing. But if you told me the only roadblock for the Isles was Columbus, I'd feel pretty good about their chances. If that's your guy, and Columbus is your competition, I feel like you gotta get it done! But, I imagine Columbus fans would say the same about the Isles

Something along the lines of us not being as good as our play at the time made us to believe. That we overachieved hard and that it was only because we just let up less goals. That Lou was way past his prime, have out terrible contracts, and wouldn’t make us an actual legit contender. That we weren’t in much better position capewise than Toronto and that that would become more apparent a few years from then (now).

Fúck that guy
- crdemartino

Well, I don't agree on the cap part at all. I will say that I think the isles benefitted greatly from the covid shortened seasons, which allowed system focused teams to excel while others struggled to find consistency. Were it not for the long layoff after Pelech's injury, we likely would not have made the playoffs the first time around.
I think reality caught up with us a bit last year, coupled with some really bad luck covid-wise and schedule-wise. This season should be a return to normal, thus providing a better picture of who we really are.

Elliotte Friedman
@FriedgeHNIC
Sounds like PHI adding Rocky Thompson to its coaching staff

Anthony SanFilippo @AntSanPhilly
28s
Rocky Thompson was the coach who took of his shirt in a power play meeting in San Jose and threatened to fight Evander Kane.

He was also removed from his position as coach b/c he has a medical exemption to being vaccinated for COVID-19 and at the time, violated league protocols.

Well, at least we're not the Flyers

Lol…we have NEVER gotten a big time UFA to sign here. Chris Osgood?

You guys are kidding yourselves if you think we’re ever signing one until we win something. The only ones who’ve signed here were traded here first…and, most of them left first contract too.

That's the thing more than the player himself, imo. Losing out to the Rangers, who every player seemingly wants to play for; or Colorado fresh off a Stanley Cup win would be one thing. But if you told me the only roadblock for the Isles was Columbus, I'd feel pretty good about their chances. If that's your guy, and Columbus is your competition, I feel like you gotta get it done! But, I imagine Columbus fans would say the same about the Isles
- UIF

Probably, but in all honesty, the isles have been to the playoffs 3 of the last 4 yrs, went to two conference finals and were a couple of goals away from getting to a final. They have a gorgeous new arena and an Unbelievable practice facility (which I’m sure Columbus has too, but those things have removed the venue uncertainty from the fold). They have good ownership. There are no excuses available to rely on for shortcomings in recruiting elite talent. Lou needs to do a better job recruiting elite players. It’s that simple

Well, I don't agree on the cap part at all. I will say that I think the isles benefitted greatly from the covid shortened seasons, which allowed system focused teams to excel while others struggled to find consistency. We're it not for the long layoff after Pelech's injury, we likely would not have made the playoffs the first time around.
I think reality caught up with us a bit last year, coupled with some really bad luck covid-wise and schedule-wise. This season should be a return to normal, thus providing a better picture of who we really are.
- keaner17

I agree and if you look at the offensive stats/scoring team wise and individually player wise the second half was much better. I think Barzal needs to elevate his game (along with others) and think he will which will also elevate the whole team.
I would think the team comes out this year with a chip on their shoulder with something to prove. If they aren’t successful and make the PO’s then the SH!t is going to hit the fan.

Definitely didn't. But I think he was suggesting more scoring from our present dmen. He mentioned making a "hockey trade" (glad he got the sport right, I guess). Perhaps some cap casualties will lead to something. I'm betting on the "we believe this team can win" crap again. While I think that's true, we have dine very little over the past year to get better
- keaner17

Arguably, the team is worse if you subscribe to the belief of probably 95% of the hockey world that much of the recent success was due to Trotz. But let's give the team the benefit of the doubt and say it wasn't all Trotz -- even the Trotz teams at their best needed a little something extra. They had a couple of great runs, but at the end of the day they didn't quite have what it takes to beat a team like Tampa. They haven't added what they needed, and -- with age creeping up, roster departures, and the lack of high-end additions -- I'm not sure they're as good as they were a couple seasons ago, let alone better.

I don't know what Lambert's new direction will be, but if he wants to loosen the reins a bit from Trotz's system, he needs the horses to do that successfully and I don't really think he has them as of now (plenty of offseason left). One legit star can make a world of difference...the attention that guy commands will filter down and let everyone else succeed in roles that are more natural for their abilities.

Without that, I kind of wonder what the goal is, and if it's still a good idea to keep trading draft picks and mortgaging the future just to tread water.

Lol…we have NEVER gotten a big time UFA to sign here. Chris Osgood?

You guys are kidding yourselves if you think we’re ever signing one until we win something. The only ones who’ve signed here were traded here first…and, most of them left first contract too.
- potvin05

The great Andrew Ladd was a highly sought after FA for Snowballs and the fans. We all know how that one worked out

The great Andrew Ladd was a highly sought after FA for Snowballs and the fans. We all know how that one worked out
- nyisles7

I’m talking a bona fide star. Not a 1x all-star or some flash in the pan. They’ve just never come here. Yashin and Peca were both trades and both disgruntled.

And to answer uif, what does Lou care about the future? He’s (frank)ing 80 years old.

I know that everyone thinks the Tax thing is an excuse.. but once Lou wouldn't go higher than 9 mill a year.. and our taxes being 7% higher than Ohio.. and NJ being 8% higher at the top tax bracket.. he is making Well over a million more a year.

His wife wanted out of Canada.. clearly so he already left a sht ton of money on the table. This is his one big contract left and he will make $7 mill more going to Columbus who no longer have a nut job behind the bench in Torts.

Lou is a J.O. for not saying 7 years $10 mill.. but even that would have paid him $36,400,000 total.

The deal he signed will pay him over $40 mill after taxes.
The one we offered him would have paid him around $32 mill.

It's pretty significant.. no?

Arguably, the team is worse if you subscribe to the belief of probably 95% of the hockey world that much of the recent success was due to Trotz. But let's give the team the benefit of the doubt and say it wasn't all Trotz -- even the Trotz teams at their best needed a little something extra. They had a couple of great runs, but at the end of the day they didn't quite have what it takes to beat a team like Tampa. They haven't added what they needed, and -- with age creeping up, roster departures, and the lack of high-end additions -- I'm not sure they're as good as they were a couple seasons ago, let alone better.

I don't know what Lambert's new direction will be, but if he wants to loosen the reins a bit from Trotz's system, he needs the horses to do that successfully and I don't really think he has them as of now (plenty of offseason left). One legit star can make a world of difference...the attention that guy commands will filter down and let everyone else succeed in roles that are more natural for their abilities.

Without that, I kind of wonder what the goal is, and if it's still a good idea to keep trading draft picks and mortgaging the future just to tread water.
- UIF

Agreed. This team doesn’t have the horses to play a style different from that which they have been playing. They don’t have the skill or speed to run and gun. They’re built to play a tight-checking, patient game and capitalize on opponent mistakes.

If Lambert wants to change the style of play, Lou hasn’t given him (yet) any of the pieces he would need to open the system up.

And agreed with moving future assets at this point. If Lou can’t get elite talent to sign on, there’s no sense trading future picks, etc for mid-tier players, a redundancy of what is already on the roster.

The deal he signed will pay him over $40 mill after taxes.
The one we offered him would have paid him around $32 mill.

It's pretty significant.. no?
- niteislander

My (repeated) point exactly. NY state's jock tax is only comparable to CA, he could actually make close to $2m less per season take home here. It may not be the sole reason, but from a family security perspective, that's huge