Pens sign Malkin 4year @ 6.1per
- kindlyrick

So I guess they signed Kessel too then?

It helped the Isles were coming off two long playoff runs. Zac's dad JP also played for the Islanders. No idea if that factored in at all?
- ses111

Zac was all because of Lou.

Lou was at a rival Providence but not when Johnny played at Boston thanks God!
- nyisles7

Yeah but the connection is absolutely there. Star hockey player from NJ, who won the Hobey Baker at BC.......JG and his dad were prob having dinner with Lou back then

He's from NJ........but, he could easily get a place in manhattan and be equidistant from his hometown and UBS
- kindlyrick

Long Island is nicer than Jersey, hands down!
Get it done Lou!

Long Island is nicer than Jersey, hands down!
- nyisles7

Newark isn't exactly a destination spot......lol

No clue where he’s from honestly
- nyisles7

He owns a home on the Jersey Shore and his wife has family there too.

He owns a home on the Jersey Shire and his wife has family there too.
- TurdFergeson

Buzz killer !

He owns a home on the Jersey Shire and his wife has family there too.
- TurdFergeson

Great he can scoop up a place in manhattan and be equidistant from UBS and NJ

He owns a home on the Jersey Shore and his wife has family there too.
- TurdFergeson

He grew up in Salem County as a massive Flyers fan. He has called in to our local sports station here in Philly saying he'd love to play for them someday. They need to move money, but I wouldn't count them out. That said, I think Jersey is the front runner
Keep in mind if the Isles were to somehow land JG, they MUST move either Bailey or Beau. .

He grew up in Salem County as a massive Flyers fan. He has called in to our local sports station here in Philly saying he'd love to play for them someday. They need to move money, but I wouldn't count them out. That said, I think Jersey is the front runner
Keep in mind if the Isles were to somehow land JG, they MUST move either Bailey or Beau. .
- keaner17

Exactly. Everyone is forgetting that elephant in the room. Ideally they would move both and take a chance on one of bellows or Wahlstrom stepping up into a full time role. Obviously Beau would be the easier of the two but I don’t think there’s a huge market for either. We have a shot here, Lameriello has to sell the team to Gaudreau and make this happen.

IF Lou strikes out on Gaudreau there better be a plan B with it being Kane or Kadri. I have no idea what Kadri is looking for salary wise but I think he would be a good addition if the cost is too high for Kane. Adding a little sand paper to the top 6 would be welcomed imo. I have a feeling all three may wind up in our division or at the very least Eastern conference. Have to be able to compete here. This is a make or break day for lameriello imo.

Agreed KR. I just don’t know if there are any personal reasons he would pick NJ over Long Island.
- nyisles7

He's from south Jersey

He grew up in Salem County as a massive Flyers fan. He has called in to our local sports station here in Philly saying he'd love to play for them someday. They need to move money, but I wouldn't count them out. That said, I think Jersey is the front runner
Keep in mind if the Isles were to somehow land JG, they MUST move either Bailey or Beau. .
- keaner17

And if Lou signs JG first teams are going to bend him over knowing the Islanders have to shed salary to get under the cap.

And if Lou signs JG first teams are going to bend him over knowing the Islanders have to shed salary to get under the cap.
- PeteM

100%. Has(d) to be a plan in place before hand for exactly this. If there wasn’t that’s a whole different level of ineptitude.

IF Lou strikes out on Gaudreau there better be a plan B with it being Kane or Kadri. I have no idea what Kadri is looking for salary wise but I think he would be a good addition if the cost is too high for Kane. Adding a little sand paper to the top 6 would be welcomed imo. I have a feeling all three may wind up in our division or at the very least Eastern conference. Have to be able to compete here. This is a make or break day for lameriello imo.
- Cptmjl

Looks like Kane stays an Oiler.

Looks like Kane stays an Oiler.
- Wildschwein

The other one I have no interest in that (frank)wad

(I was referring to Kadri as far as sandpaper)

IF Lou strikes out on Gaudreau there better be a plan B with it being Kane or Kadri. I have no idea what Kadri is looking for salary wise but I think he would be a good addition if the cost is too high for Kane. Adding a little sand paper to the top 6 would be welcomed imo. I have a feeling all three may wind up in our division or at the very least Eastern conference. Have to be able to compete here. This is a make or break day for lameriello imo.
- Cptmjl

I've said it before, I'll say it again, the Isles are not getting JG. They're not going to sign any big name UFA. And I'd rather Lou didn't sign some middling UFA just to make a move and hope it pans out. Hopefully he can make a trade for Kane (but it sounds like he might be going to the Rags). Kadri I'm luke warm on. He had one good season where he kept his sh!t together and put up points. Good face-off man. If we get him, we get him but I just don't think he addresses the need for a pure goal scorer. But we'll see what happens.
Maybe Lou does nothing and brings back the same team because he believes this team can win. I just think if a team does nothing and the teams around you make moves to improve, then you've gotten worse. The other side of that coin is that there are no guarantees that making moves will pan out. Have to take into account the system, the coach, chemistry, the team itself and other factors.

How about an offer sheet for Laine? Not sure exactly how it works, but he's an RFA. I believe we'd have to give up at least a first round pick.

I've said it before, I'll say it again, the Isles are not getting JG. They're not going to sign any big name UFA. And I'd rather Lou didn't sign some middling UFA just to make a move and hope it pans out. Hopefully he can make a trade for Kane (but it sounds like he might be going to the Rags). Kadri I'm luke warm on. He had one good season where he kept his sh!t together and put up points. Good face-off man. If we get him, we get him but I just don't think he addresses the need for a pure goal scorer. But we'll see what happens.
Maybe Lou does nothing and brings back the same team because he believes this team can win. I just think if a team does nothing and the teams around you make moves to improve, then you've gotten worse. The other side of that coin is that there are no guarantees that making moves will pan out. Have to take into account the system, the coach, chemistry, the team itself and other factors.
- Isleshockeyman

This very well may be the thought process and if it is this team, as currently constructed, will struggle to even make the playoffs. The division has improved and by all accounts the conference itself will improve with what looks like three new additions from the central and western conference. If the rangers get Kane and the devils get JG we’re pretty much (frank)ed imo.

How about an offer sheet for Laine? Not sure exactly how it works, but he's an RFA. I believe we'd have to give up at least a first round pick.
- Isleshockeyman

I just don’t see him as a player Lou would covet let alone offer sheet. The guy has been completely against the offer sheet and has been vocal about it numerous times.

This very well may be the thought process and if it is this team, as currently constructed, will struggle to even make the playoffs. The division has improved and by all accounts the conference itself will improve with what looks like three new additions from the central and western conference. If the rangers get Kane and the devils get JG we’re pretty much (frank)ed imo.
- Cptmjl

Agreed.

I just don’t see him as a player Lou would covet let alone offer sheet. The guy has been completely against the offer sheet and has been vocal about it numerous times.
- Cptmjl

I know. It was more of a spitball conversation starter than anything real. He is a sniper, but I'm pretty sure Lou would never offer sheet anyone.

I just don’t see him as a player Lou would covet let alone offer sheet. The guy has been completely against the offer sheet and has been vocal about it numerous times.
- Cptmjl

Definitely agree that Lou is highly unlikely to offersheet anyone.
I think the Isles will explore the trade route with a team looking to unload salary. To me the coaching change provides a built in excuse/reason to not make any huge additions. You never know with Lou, but we almost have to trade someone to make an addition based on the overcrowding situation. I would say anyone of Wally, Bellows or Beau are potential pieces but that may not even happen until mid-season

Definitely agree that Lou is highly unlikely to offersheet anyone.
I think the Isles will explore the trade route with a team looking to unload salary. To me the coaching change provides a built in excuse/reason to not make any huge additions. You never know with Lou, but we almost have to trade someone to make an addition based on the overcrowding situation. I would say anyone of Wally, Bellows or Beau are potential pieces but that may not even happen until mid-season
- keaner17

Can't bring in anyone without moving out salary.
Speaking of bringing someone in. Thoughts on bringing back Leddy? Would Lou even entertain that? Would Leddy want to come back? How much would it take to get him back? It would be a solid D corp.

Pelech-Pulock
Leddy-Dobson
Romanov-Mayfield

Can't bring in anyone without moving out salary.
Speaking of bringing someone in. Thoughts on bringing back Leddy? Would Lou even entertain that? Would Leddy want to come back? How much would it take to get him back? It would be a solid D corp.

Pelech-Pulock
Leddy-Dobson
Romanov-Mayfield
- Isleshockeyman

I would put Leddy on the 3rd pair with Mayfield if acquired. The defense should already be in a good shape even without Leddy.