Islanders are in good shape right now, Lou know’s this team has to perform this season or next season’s Barzal signing will turn into the Tavares follies.



John Tonelli for HOF

don't sleep on Gran Hutton too.. I thought he did a very solid job last year when he played. He didn't have the glaring mistakes that Aho was still making. Just played solid Defense. 6'4" 27 year old ... hoping he is in bottom pairing or Salo.
- niteislander

This is true forgot about the guy.

Islanders are in good shape right now, Lou know’s this team has to perform this season or next season’s Barzal signing will turn into the Tavares follies.



John Tonelli for HOF
- Tee56

If this team does not perform Lou will not have to worry about Barzal because Lou might be gone. Doubtful owners put up with another missed playoff year with a new building.

If this team does not perform Lou will not have to worry about Barzal because Lou might be gone. Doubtful owners put up with another missed playoff year with a new building.
- ses111

You’re correct

If this team does not perform Lou will not have to worry about Barzal because Lou might be gone. Doubtful owners put up with another missed playoff year with a new building.
- ses111

I can agree with this.

We have no idea what deals he tried to make for trades or free agent signings. It was reported that he was in on both JG and Kadri. In either case it meant moving out salary. Obviously, the other GM's, knowing they had him over a barrel, were probably (or maybe obviously) asking for way to much in return. Besides, most people on here were b!tching about Kadri and a $7x7 contract. Lou didn't sign him and people are b!tching that he didn't sign anyone.
I'm willing to see how the season starts and where it goes from there. If they start to suck right out of the gate, I have to think Lou will make a move or 2. We'll have to wait and see.
- Isleshockeyman

Yes you are correct, the fan base has no idea as what Lou was in on. For all we know he was in on everything.

While I wanted Kadri, I did not want him at 7 years. I have no issue with Lou not giving a 32 player a deal that will be an anchor in fours.

The whole thing with other GM's having Lou over a barrel. That is pure speculation. There were plenty of wings out there that could have been had. The bottom line is that Lou did not make good on his statement of improving the forward core. That is just facts.

It is obvious that he was looking to improve the D which he did. But he has fallen short on the forwards. Sure he took a shot, but how aggressive? No one knows but Lou himself.

He apparently believes in the group that he has and with the coaching and the defensive addition, along with a health squad. He believes he has the right recipe. And he may very have it.

As for me, watching the avs, canes, rags, lighting...I do not believe this team is in the same tier as they are. I view them as lower.

Has Lou brought respectability back to the Islanders? 1000% But we are four years beyond that. This team and organization needs to take another step forward and modifications need to be made along the way.

If standing pat means some of the young blood gets more of an opportunity. Wally, Bellows and Raty...Salo...I am all for it. But changes need to be made.

Yes you are correct, the fan base has no idea as what Lou was in on. For all we know he was in on everything.

While I wanted Kadri, I did not want him at 7 years. I have no issue with Lou not giving a 32 player a deal that will be an anchor in fours.

The whole thing with other GM's having Lou over a barrel. That is pure speculation. There were plenty of wings out there that could have been had. The bottom line is that Lou did not make good on his statement of improving the forward core. That is just facts.

It is obvious that he was looking to improve the D which he did. But he has fallen short on the forwards. Sure he took a shot, but how aggressive? No one knows but Lou himself.

He apparently believes in the group that he has and with the coaching and the defensive addition, along with a health squad. He believes he has the right recipe. And he may very have it.

As for me, watching the avs, canes, rags, lighting...I do not believe this team is in the same tier as they are. I view them as lower.

Has Lou brought respectability back to the Islanders? 1000% But we are four years beyond that. This team and organization needs to take another step forward and modifications need to be made along the way.

If standing pat means some of the young blood gets more of an opportunity. Wally, Bellows and Raty...Salo...I am all for it. But changes need to be made.
- Nfdbulldawg

It sounds like Lou knows the team needs more offense but the huge concern is always with defense. Did he think someone like Johnny G would cause issues with the overall defense of the team? Who knows? It's clear Lou has his ways and they are not changing.

This is true forgot about the guy.
- Cptmjl

Hutton is a righty correct? I know Barry is no longer coach but they would have wanted a lefty to go with Mayfield.

Here's the news that we were all waiting for:


ISLANDERS SIGN FOUR PLAYERS

EAST MEADOW, NY (August 23, 2022) – The New York Islanders announced today that Dennis Cholowski, Arnaud Durandeau and Paul LaDue have signed two-year, two-way contracts and forward Hudson Fasching has signed a one-year, two-way contract.

Cholowski, 24, played the majority of the 2021-22 season with the Charlotte Checkers (AHL), where he scored 18 points (three goals, 15 assists) in 31 games. He also appeared in 11 games for both the Seattle Kraken and the Washington Capitals last season, collecting three points (three assists). Cholowski began his NHL career with the Detroit Red Wings. He played in 104 games with the Red Wings and totaled 27 points (10 goals, 17 assists). The Langley, BC native was Detroit’s first round selection (20th overall) in the 2016 NHL Draft. In 100 career AHL games with the Grand Rapids Griffins and Checkers, Cholowski has 53 points (nine goals, 44 assists). Prior to turning pro, the 6’2, 200-pound defenseman played two seasons in the Western Hockey League with the Prince George Cougars (2017-18) and the Portland Winterhawks (2017-18) where he totaled 66 points (14 goals and 52 assists). He also played one season (2016-17) at St. Cloud State University, producing 12 points (one goal, 11 assists) in 36 games.

Durandeau, 23, set new career highs in goals (15), assists (22) and points (37) in 64 games with the Bridgeport Islanders of the American Hockey League (AHL) last season. He ranked third on the team in goals and was tied for fifth in points during his third professional campaign. He added one goal and one assist in six Calder Cup Playoff contests. The Montreal native has 53 points (24 goals, 29 assists) in 99 career AHL games with Bridgeport and eight points (five goals, three assists) in 15 ECHL games with the Worcester Railers. Prior to turning pro, Durandeau played four seasons with the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). He scored 196 points (85 goals, 111 assists) in 262 games. He was selected by the Islanders in the sixth round (165th overall) of the 2017 NHL Draft.

LaDue, 29, played one NHL game with the Islanders last season in addition to 60 games with Bridgeport, recording 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in the AHL. He added one assist in six Calder Cup Playoff contests. A native of Grand Forks, ND, LaDue has 83 points (30 goals, 53 assists) in 200 career AHL games with the Islanders, Hershey Bears and Ontario Reign. He also has 18 points (five goals, 13 assists) in 70 NHL games with the Islanders and Kings. Prior to turning pro, LaDue played three seasons at the University of North Dakota, collecting 62 points (16 goals, 46 assists) in 123 contests, and helped the Fighting Hawks win the NCAA Championship in 2016. He was originally selected by the Kings in the sixth round (181st overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft.

Fasching, 27, has played 38 NHL games with the Arizona Coyotes and Buffalo Sabres, recording three points (three assists). The Milwaukee, Wisc. native had a career year in the AHL last season, scoring 37 points (14 goals, 23 assists) in 51 games with the Tucson Roadrunners. In 280
career AHL games with the Roadrunners and Rochester Americans, Fasching has 148 points (69 goals, 79 assists). Prior to turning pro, he played three seasons at the University of Minnesota, collecting 94 points (46 goals, 48 assists) in 115 games. He was originally selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the fourth round (118th overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft.

I can agree with this.
- Isleshockeyman

Well on the other side of this. Barzal better perform or this team certainly won't. They need him to take the next step and become the solid 2 way player we all know he can become or Lou won't have to sign him and maybe even trade him. Could you imagine the internet if that happens! Holy (frank)!
That said, I think he is going to have a Monster year this year and drive/lead the team to a successful season. *Fingers Crossed*

Yea not likely. And leave you to have all the fun.
- Nfdbulldawg

True, you wouldn't want to miss out on the daily laughs on here.

It sounds like Lou knows the team needs more offense but the huge concern is always with defense. Did he think someone like Johnny G would cause issues with the overall defense of the team? Who knows? It's clear Lou has his ways and they are not changing.
- ses111

The bottom line is like it or Not Lou will not overpay for a guy. he has his number what he thinks players are worth (and what he thinks his players are worth), and he refuses to come off those number. It certainly sounds like he offered Kadri 7 years/$7 mill but he took the deal in Calgary (where a $11 mill of his contract is in Bonus money so taxed at 18%.. I know where all sick of this excuse but it's almost $3mill more in his pocket over the course of this contract. It's significant..no? ).

The bottom line is like it or Not Lou will not overpay for a guy. he has his number what he thinks players are worth (and what he thinks his players are worth), and he refuses to come off those number. It certainly sounds like he offered Kadri 7 years/$7 mill but he took the deal in Calgary (where a $11 mill of his contract is in Bonus money so taxed at 18%.. I know where all sick of this excuse but it's almost $3mill more in his pocket over the course of this contract. It's significant..no? ).
- niteislander

Because Kadri is a resident of Canada(I think)bonus money is taxed at the same rate as his income.If he was a US Citizen like JT then the bonus money is taxed differently. That said I believe Calgary was the only team that offered $7 Mil for 7 years and he made the most money at the end of the day with that deal. Guy has a Stanley Cup and went for the money in this deal. Can't blame him.

The bottom line is like it or Not Lou will not overpay for a guy. he has his number what he thinks players are worth (and what he thinks his players are worth), and he refuses to come off those number. It certainly sounds like he offered Kadri 7 years/$7 mill but he took the deal in Calgary (where a $11 mill of his contract is in Bonus money so taxed at 18%.. I know where all sick of this excuse but it's almost $3mill more in his pocket over the course of this contract. It's significant..no? ).
- niteislander

Hopefully the talent is good enough if no further changes are made. There will be big time questions asked if the Islanders again struggle through trying to score in the playoffs against Tampa or another team. Regarding money and star players you need to be willing to pay or you have no shot in getting them. Especially in the Islanders case. I have no issue with not giving Kadri that contract.

Hopefully the talent is good enough if no further changes are made. There will be big time questions asked if the Islanders again struggle through trying to score in the playoffs against Tampa or another team. Regarding money and star players you need to be willing to pay or you have no shot in getting them. Especially in the Islanders case. I have no issue with not giving Kadri that contract.
- ses111

They have to find their old form and play trotz hockey without trotz in what looks like a much tougher division now. I didn’t want them to give up our first and I’m glad Kadri chose Calgary over us with that contract. That’s a problem in itself imo but we dodged a bullet there. Have to hope the kids progress and our vets find their game again while staying reasonably healthy along the way.

They have to find their old form and play trotz hockey without trotz in what looks like a much tougher division now. I didn’t want them to give up our first and I’m glad Kadri chose Calgary over us with that contract. That’s a problem in itself imo but we dodged a bullet there. Have to hope the kids progress and our vets find their game again while staying reasonably healthy along the way.
- Cptmjl

I'm good with not trading the #1 or signing Kadri. Johnny G was a huge miss though. Things have to break very right for this current Islander team to get to a Cup though. Like you mention team around the Islanders improved. I think adding an impact forward after getting Romanov would have gone a long way.

I'm good with not trading the #1 or signing Kadri. Johnny G was a huge miss though. Things have to break very right for this current Islander team to get to a Cup though. Like you mention team around the Islanders improved. I think adding an impact forward after getting Romanov would have gone a long way.
- ses111

We don't need an impact forward. We have Josh Bailey who shockingly did not make this list of the top 20 wingers in the NHL. They must not have taken into account "hockey IQ".
https://sports.yahoo.com/...oo-144632323.html?src=rss

We don't need an impact forward. We have Josh Bailey who shockingly did not make this list of the top 20 wingers in the NHL. They must not have taken into account "hockey IQ".
https://sports.yahoo.com/...oo-144632323.html?src=rss
- JohnScammo

Or his cerebralness.

Here's the news that we were all waiting for:


ISLANDERS SIGN FOUR PLAYERS

EAST MEADOW, NY (August 23, 2022) – The New York Islanders announced today that Dennis Cholowski, Arnaud Durandeau and Paul LaDue have signed two-year, two-way contracts and forward Hudson Fasching has signed a one-year, two-way contract.

Cholowski, 24, played the majority of the 2021-22 season with the Charlotte Checkers (AHL), where he scored 18 points (three goals, 15 assists) in 31 games. He also appeared in 11 games for both the Seattle Kraken and the Washington Capitals last season, collecting three points (three assists). Cholowski began his NHL career with the Detroit Red Wings. He played in 104 games with the Red Wings and totaled 27 points (10 goals, 17 assists). The Langley, BC native was Detroit’s first round selection (20th overall) in the 2016 NHL Draft. In 100 career AHL games with the Grand Rapids Griffins and Checkers, Cholowski has 53 points (nine goals, 44 assists). Prior to turning pro, the 6’2, 200-pound defenseman played two seasons in the Western Hockey League with the Prince George Cougars (2017-18) and the Portland Winterhawks (2017-18) where he totaled 66 points (14 goals and 52 assists). He also played one season (2016-17) at St. Cloud State University, producing 12 points (one goal, 11 assists) in 36 games.

Durandeau, 23, set new career highs in goals (15), assists (22) and points (37) in 64 games with the Bridgeport Islanders of the American Hockey League (AHL) last season. He ranked third on the team in goals and was tied for fifth in points during his third professional campaign. He added one goal and one assist in six Calder Cup Playoff contests. The Montreal native has 53 points (24 goals, 29 assists) in 99 career AHL games with Bridgeport and eight points (five goals, three assists) in 15 ECHL games with the Worcester Railers. Prior to turning pro, Durandeau played four seasons with the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). He scored 196 points (85 goals, 111 assists) in 262 games. He was selected by the Islanders in the sixth round (165th overall) of the 2017 NHL Draft.

LaDue, 29, played one NHL game with the Islanders last season in addition to 60 games with Bridgeport, recording 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in the AHL. He added one assist in six Calder Cup Playoff contests. A native of Grand Forks, ND, LaDue has 83 points (30 goals, 53 assists) in 200 career AHL games with the Islanders, Hershey Bears and Ontario Reign. He also has 18 points (five goals, 13 assists) in 70 NHL games with the Islanders and Kings. Prior to turning pro, LaDue played three seasons at the University of North Dakota, collecting 62 points (16 goals, 46 assists) in 123 contests, and helped the Fighting Hawks win the NCAA Championship in 2016. He was originally selected by the Kings in the sixth round (181st overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft.

Fasching, 27, has played 38 NHL games with the Arizona Coyotes and Buffalo Sabres, recording three points (three assists). The Milwaukee, Wisc. native had a career year in the AHL last season, scoring 37 points (14 goals, 23 assists) in 51 games with the Tucson Roadrunners. In 280
career AHL games with the Roadrunners and Rochester Americans, Fasching has 148 points (69 goals, 79 assists). Prior to turning pro, he played three seasons at the University of Minnesota, collecting 94 points (46 goals, 48 assists) in 115 games. He was originally selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the fourth round (118th overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft.
- nyisles7

Cholowski? Really?

We don't need an impact forward. We have Josh Bailey who shockingly did not make this list of the top 20 wingers in the NHL. They must not have taken into account "hockey IQ".
https://sports.yahoo.com/...oo-144632323.html?src=rss
- JohnScammo

I keep forgetting about Bailey. He did have a nice couple of playoff runs but was invisible against Tampa though.

Cholowski? Really?
- Wildschwein

We need offensive help Schwein.

I keep forgetting about Bailey. He did have a nice couple of playoff runs but was invisible against Tampa though.
- ses111

Bailey will use this list that he was left off as motivation to have a monster year.

Bailey will use this list that he was left off as motivation to have a monster year.
- JohnScammo

Maybe we can use benching to motivate Bailey? Sorry that is a crazy idea.

We need offensive help Schwein.
- nyisles7

Indeed, Cholowski is quite offensive. Just not in the context that you meant.

Indeed, Cholowski is quite offensive. Just not in the context that you meant.
- Wildschwein

Do not worry. Thompson will fix his game.