You think this upcoming offseason is going to be challenging. Wait till the following when by all accounts we’ll more then likely suck and we’re not trying to make the playoffs we’re just trying to make sure Vancouver doesn’t get first overall with our pick.
- Cptmjl

That's going to take some serious wizardry and last I checked Lou’s magical powers ran out over a decade ago.
- Cptmjl

If the isles sell at the deadline, they could get some high picks from Varlamov, maybe Mayfield, and a couple seconds for some other dead weight. All hope is not lost for next year, but this team looks like they’ve quit on this year.

The guy is a playoff beast. A team making a push would benefit from Palmieri. Same goes for Parise, and to be honest, I’d trade Anders Lee as well.
- kindlyrick

Parise a team will take if he wants to be traded. If he doesn’t Lou will of course oblige. Neither Lee or Palmieri or getting traded. There isn’t a team that’s going to take either one of them for multiple reasons least of all neither of them are really that good. You can bet your life savings on that one.

The guy is a playoff beast. A team making a push would benefit from Palmieri. Same goes for Parise, and to be honest, I’d trade Anders Lee as well.
- kindlyrick

Parise can be traded. I doubt Palms can be moved. No way anyone is touching that Lee contract. Lee is a great person, but that contract was bad from the get go. Sorry Schwein. Lee is slow and cannot generate offense. The rumors were the Habs were looking to sign Lee at the time. Would have been bad PR to let Lee go, but would have been for the best long term.

If the isles sell at the deadline, they could get some high picks from Varlamov, maybe Mayfield, and a couple seconds for some other dead weight. All hope is not lost for next year, but this team looks like they’ve quit on this year.
- kindlyrick

They can get something for Varlamov and Mayfield. If we get one late first for either it would be a great start. We are not getting second round picks for dead weight. Especially because that dead weight you’re referring too has term without even mentioning they’re not good to begin with. Not happening man it’s just not reality,

Parise a team will take if he wants to be traded. If he doesn’t Lou will of course oblige. Neither Lee or Palmieri or getting traded. There isn’t a team that’s going to take either one of them for multiple reasons least of all neither of them are really that good. You can bet your life savings on that one.
- Cptmjl

I guess we’re gonna find out soon enough. I thought Horvat would bring a spark to this teams PP, which would in turn add some wins. The last three games are very good indicators that the coach lost this team, and that Lou is going to sell. I still think Palmieri has value, and 5 million isn’t crazy money for a playoff performer.

Parise can be traded. I doubt Palms can be moved. No way anyone is touching that Lee contract. Lee is a great person, but that contract was bad from the get go. Sorry Schwein. Lee is slow and cannot generate offense. The rumors were the Habs were looking to sign Lee at the time. Would have been bad PR to let Lee go, but would have been for the best long term.
- ses111

Bottom line……Anders Lee can’t skate. It’s too fast of a game to not be able to skate.

Bottom line……Anders Lee can’t skate. It’s too fast of a game to not be able to skate.
- kindlyrick

This is the issue for Lee and the Islanders. It's no longer a clutch and grab game of the past. Lou and the Islanders roster has not kept up with the new NHL. When teams put the forecheck pressure on the Islanders they have trouble.

This is the issue for Lee and the Islanders. It's no longer a clutch and grab game of the past. The Lou and the Islanders roster has not kept up with the new NHL.
- ses111

Hate to admit it but Chris Drury has outperformed our hall of fame GM in the last three years. Their rebuild has taken them 3 years and they’re leaps and bounds ahead of this isles team.

Hate to admit it but Chris Drury has outperformed our hall of fame GM in the last three years. Their rebuild has taken them 3 years and they’re leaps and bounds ahead of this isles team.
- kindlyrick

Rangers went all in on the rebuild and it paid off. Hard to do things half way. Islanders wanted to compete for a Cup, but Lou did very little after the two playoff runs to show he was all in. Again the Horvat move was two years too late. No idea why Lou thought his lack of moves the last two years was a good idea?

Rangers went all in on the rebuild and it paid off. Hard to do things half way. Islanders wanted to compete for a Cup, but Lou did very little after the two playoff runs to show he was all in. Again the Horvat move was two years too late.
- ses111

Can’t argue that point. Too little too late. I found it a little odd that Lou who is usually tight lipped publicly said Horvats extension was too much and too long. It’s almost as if he didn’t wanna make the move, but was forced to do something. Again, too little too late. Trade when you can, not when you have to.

Can’t argue that point. Too little too late. I found it a little odd that Lou who is usually tight lipped publicly said Horvats extension was too much and too long. It’s almost as if he didn’t wanna make the move, but was forced to do something. Again, too little too late. Trade when you can, not when you have to.
- kindlyrick

I have to agree with Lou on these contracts. They are a huge problem in the NHL. I cannot agree with how Lou has handled this roster and especially over the last two years. If Lou thought the Islanders could serious contender for a Cup, he went about it in a very strange way. I think Lou bought into those two long playoff runs a little too much as they happened under very unique circumstances and he thought the team needed very little moves.

So we need the Caps to lose to the Canes; Sharks to beat Pitt; Blue to beat Cats. The boys to beat the Sens.

That sounds simple enough.
- Nfdbulldawg

What was I thinking???

Hate to admit it but Chris Drury has outperformed our hall of fame GM in the last three years. Their rebuild has taken them 3 years and they’re leaps and bounds ahead of this isles team.
- kindlyrick

Drury has definitely done a very good job with the Rags.

This is the issue for Lee and the Islanders. It's no longer a clutch and grab game of the past. Lou and the Islanders roster has not kept up with the new NHL. When teams put the forecheck pressure on the Islanders they have trouble.
- ses111

I understand that everyone's argument regarding the speed of the game. However, to only get 2 goals on 48 shots against a rookie goaltender has nothing to do with speed.
Yes this team is getting old but the problem is not necessarily speed but the ability to finish.

Also, forecheck pressure to defend against has more to do with the ability to move the puck and not necessarily the speed of the player.

I have to agree with Lou on these contracts. They are a huge problem in the NHL. I cannot agree with how Lou has handled this roster and especially over the last two years. If Lou thought the Islanders could serious contender for a Cup, he went about it in a very strange way. I think Lou bought into those two long playoff runs a little too much as they happened under very unique circumstances and he thought the team needed very little moves.
- ses111

There’s some truth to this. There has to be a balance between salaries and the cap. We have a threshold for teams as far as spending but none for the actual salaries. The NHLPA of course would strike the instant it was proposed but if you’re trying to achieve parity around the league why wouldn’t there be some when it comes to salaries? They seemingly go up while the cap barely moves.

It continually forces teams to suck for long periods of time to have the opportunity to draft cost controlled players. Then these teams have to hope they get lucky with a few picks to build around and then fortunate enough to have trades and FA’s available to add to their lineup when the time is right. Not exactly a recipe for success imo.

I understand that everyone's argument regarding the speed of the game. However, to only get 2 goals on 48 shots against a rookie goaltender has nothing to do with speed.
Yes this team is getting old but the problem is not necessarily speed but the ability to finish.

Also, forecheck pressure to defend against has more to do with the ability to move the puck and not necessarily the speed of the player.
- Nfdbulldawg

Yeah sure we’re all well aware this team lacks speed and they are a bit long in the tooth but we all know they are much better then what we’ve seen lately. The effort isn’t there. Said this last week but I’m really starting to believe there’s some kind of internal problem. I’m basing this on nothing besides what we’re all seeing but sometimes when you see a team wide half arsed effort it can be traced back to that.

If that’s the case trade them all(I say this knowing there will be no takers)as far as I’m concerned. I can’t stand when a bunch of guys that get paid millions can’t get up for a game, do their job, and let the small stuff go.

Yeah sure we’re all well aware this team lacks speed and they are a bit long in the tooth but we all know they are much better then what we’ve seen lately. The effort isn’t there. Said this last week but I’m really starting to believe there’s some kind of internal problem. I’m basing this on nothing besides what we’re all seeing but sometimes when you see a team wide half arsed effort it can be traced back to that.

If that’s the case trade them all(I say this knowing there will be no takers)as far as I’m concerned. I can’t stand when a bunch of guys that get paid millions can’t get up for a game, do their job, and let the small stuff go.
- Cptmjl

Something is going on. The last few games the broadcast cut to Lane after horrible plays. He looks livid. I'm guessing that there were things pointed out by the coaching staff, but the bad plays continue. This isn't to absolve Lane. He's the coach and he has to get the players ready to play. However, it looks to me like the players aren't listening for whatever reason. Maybe putting some players in the press box would help. I'm doubtful, but at least it would send a message.

I guess we’re gonna find out soon enough. I thought Horvat would bring a spark to this teams PP, which would in turn add some wins. The last three games are very good indicators that the coach lost this team, and that Lou is going to sell. I still think Palmieri has value, and 5 million isn’t crazy money for a playoff performer.
- kindlyrick

Yeah, but having him for 3 more years is the problem other teams would have with him.

Something is going on. The last few games the broadcast cut to Lane after horrible plays. He looks livid. I'm guessing that there were things pointed out by the coaching staff, but the bad plays continue. This isn't to absolve Lane. He's the coach and he has to get the players ready to play. However, it looks to me like the players aren't listening for whatever reason. Maybe putting some players in the press box would help. I'm doubtful, but at least it would send a message.
- JimmyP

Yeah Lane isn’t absolved from the bad play. Maybe the team doesn’t like him? I have no idea. Either way they aren’t responding. I’m all for sitting multiple players to send a message. Crap sit Lee for all I care. This season is toast anyway.

Yeah, but having him for 3 more years is the problem other teams would have with him.
- potvin05

Along with him being injured every week and not being very good. We would have to trade Palmieri with a pick for NOTHING to get rid of him. Even then there isn’t a team that would take him. Even a bottom feeder wouldn’t because of the term left on his contract. It’s kind of a pointless conversation. Not happening he’s ours for the life of his contract. One of many contracts we have that suck. Unfortunately this one’s hurting us faster then we hoped.

There’s some truth to this. There has to be a balance between salaries and the cap. We have a threshold for teams as far as spending but none for the actual salaries. The NHLPA of course would strike the instant it was proposed but if you’re trying to achieve parity around the league why wouldn’t there be some when it comes to salaries? They seemingly go up while the cap barely moves.

It continually forces teams to suck for long periods of time to have the opportunity to draft cost controlled players. Then these teams have to hope they get lucky with a few picks to build around and then fortunate enough to have trades and FA’s available to add to their lineup when the time is right. Not exactly a recipe for success imo.
- Cptmjl

Not to pick on Lee, but it's very difficult when you need to lock up players like Lee for long term. These are griding type players with little speed and who break down with their style of play. It's not an issue locking up a young and skilled player like Barzal.

Yeah Lane isn’t absolved from the bad play. Maybe the team doesn’t like him? I have no idea. Either way they aren’t responding. I’m all for sitting multiple players to send a message. Crap sit Lee for all I care. This season is toast anyway.
- Cptmjl

It's strange with Lane. He seems to understand the game and seemed to be highly regarded? Just does not seem to be a coaching issue but who really knowns?

Not to pick on Lee, but it's very difficult when you need to lock up players like Lee for long term. These are griding type players with little speed and who break down with their style of play. It's not an issue locking up a young and skilled player like Barzal.
- ses111

Lameriello hasn’t embraced the idea that the game has changed. It’s a fast league with successful teams finding a balance through their lineups with a focus on exactly that. Lameriello built a team that may be(or maybe not) better suited for the playoffs grinding style but it means nothing if you can’t make them. Two consecutive miscalculations that 86’d both seasons and will continue to hurt us for the future. Exactly what he did to the Devils and the Leafs on the way out. Lameriello owns this completely.

It's strange with Lane. He seems to understand the game and seemed to be highly regarded? Just does not seem to be a coaching issue but who really knowns?
- ses111

This team needs to go scorched earth with everything imo. Lane included in that. I doubt it happens but it should. I have no idea what it is but there’s something definitely rotten with this team.