I mean Trotz/Lou/UBS were all supposed to influence that as well. Not a whole lot of substance, in terms of attracting UFA's, materialized from that. So I'm not banking on it until it happens.
- eichiefs9

Didnt Gudreau say the isles were never in on him?

Didnt Gudreau say the isles were never in on him?
- kindlyrick

He did say this. Signing quality UFA's has been an issue for years and needs to be corrected.

He did say this. Signing quality UFA's has been an issue for years and needs to be corrected.
- ses111

I feel like its been better under Lou in general, but they definitely haven't been bringing in guys like the Rangers. In one week Drury traded for two top tier PP guys in Tarasenko and Kane. The isles brought in a 3rd liner from the Laughs lol

I saw on some site they have pittsburgh as 93.6% chance of making the playoffs. Not sure how that math works with 21 games remaining
- kindlyrick

FWIW, this is the site that I like to use. It indicates the Penguins have a 75% chance of making the playoffs. The Isles with only a 36% chance. But that would obviously change dramatically if the Isles could win the next few games in regulation.

http://www.playoffstatus....nhl/easternstandings.html

Ottawa looked great last night, against a fired up Ranger team.
- kindlyrick

Wow, if this Ranger team isn't typical of Ranger teams over the years! Lots of veteran star players, but rarely do they work well together.

If the isles were gonna be sellers, it wouldnt be on the last day of the deadline. The ownership just took on a major expense with that new building, and they make money in the post season.
- kindlyrick

We are in agreement on this.

Reading that the Isles are in on JVR. I wonder what that cost would be?!

It would be real interesting to see if, say, Stevie Y was the GM....would he have trouble signing UFA's. Maybe Lou has a reputation? When Beau got traded the first thing he referenced was growing a beard. Anyone that ends up on the island loves it. I have to think thats on the GM to bring in those UFA's. Obviously the arena is no longer an excuse.
- kindlyrick

I think there’s some truth to this. I believe there are quite a few players that don’t want to play under his thumb with his rules. I also believe there are some players that respect him but you can’t discount the first part. Who knows which side a UFA sits on that equation? We never will. There will never be a player that says I don’t want to play for that guy in fact they would say the opposite even though that may have been THE reason they didn’t want to sign with us.

Reading that the Isles are in on JVR. I wonder what that cost would be?!
- Mancalledsting

He's got a $7 million cap hit, but maybe the Isles have the space, because it would be pro-rated? Or the Flyers might need to retain salary? If no salary retention, then he'd likely be relatively low cost, because he's just a rental.

I think there’s some truth to this. I believe there are quite a few players that don’t want to play under his thumb with his rules. I also believe there are some players that respect him but you can’t discount the first part. Who knows which side a UFA sits on that equation? We never will. There will never be a player that says I don’t want to play for that guy in fact they would say the opposite even though that may have been THE reason they didn’t want to sign with us.
- Cptmjl

Agreed, but it should also be noted that Chara, and Parise NEVERRRR would have signed here were not for Lou. I highly doubt Snowjob would have been able to have their ear. I think part of the problem that Lou has had is the team that he took over. If we're being honest it was a total disaster, and if not for Lou's age he probably would have rebuilt.

FWIW, this is the site that I like to use. It indicates the Penguins have a 75% chance of making the playoffs. The Isles with only a 36% chance. But that would obviously change dramatically if the Isles could win the next few games in regulation.

http://www.playoffstatus....nhl/easternstandings.html
- JohnScammo

Yeah i mean there's 42 pts up in the air and they were saying Pitt had a 93.6% chance. Thats 6.4% away from 100% ha

He did say this. Signing quality UFA's has been an issue for years and needs to be corrected.
- ses111

I think if you can rid yourself of Bailey, Varly, and maybe JGP, you have some money to spend on a top UFA. To me, its like when a doctor or a mechanic doesn't wanna take over someone else job that was started, Lou should have dismantled the team the minute he took over, and snow left him with ZERO leverage on Tavares. But, who knows what ownership says......their bottom line is still their bottom line. They weren't about to spend all that money on the team and a new arena, and start a rebuild with 5,000 in ticket sales. I get both sides of the equation.

Agreed, but it should also be noted that Chara, and Parise NEVERRRR would have signed here were not for Lou. I highly doubt Snowjob would have been able to have their ear. I think part of the problem that Lou has had is the team that he took over. If we're being honest it was a total disaster, and if not for Lou's age he probably would have rebuilt.
- kindlyrick

100% agreed. Long in the tooth veterans have special place in their heart for old man Lou.

100% agreed. Long in the tooth veterans have special place in their heart for old man Lou.
- Cptmjl

Hahaha. Someone on here put up the other day that Lou signed Scott Niedermeyer lol I def laughed, not too far off.

I will say though, Parise has been good. No complaints with that signing.

The Penguins acquired Nick Bonino from San Jose in a 3-team trade that also involved Montreal.

100% agreed. Long in the tooth veterans have special place in their heart for old man Lou.
- Cptmjl

Chara and Parise do not count. I'm talking the younger star type UFA's.

Hahaha. Someone on here put up the other day that Lou signed Scott Niedermeyer lol I def laughed, not too far off.

I will say though, Parise has been good. No complaints with that signing.
- kindlyrick

The guy has been one of the most consistent players in the lineup. He has exceeded any expectations I had. If everyone played somewhere close to his level of effort we wouldn’t be worried about making the playoffs.

Chara and Parise do not count. I'm talking the younger star type UFA's.
- ses111

Oh I think we all know who you were referring too.

Oh I think we all know who you were referring too.
- Cptmjl

No comment.

The guy has been one of the most consistent players in the lineup. He has exceeded any expectations I had. If everyone played somewhere close to his level of effort we wouldn’t be worried about making the playoffs.
- Cptmjl

Zach is a fine Islander like his dad JP.

Zach is a fine Islander like his dad JP.
- ses111

Yessir. I wonder if Boeser winds up with the Pens. I bet he would be one of those players that would excel with them playing with Crosby. Playing with him has a way of elevating middling wingers play.

Guess Lou is done. Shame. We could have used another dman.

Yessir. I wonder if Boeser winds up with the Pens. I bet he would be one of those players that would excel with them playing with Crosby. Playing with him has a way of elevating middling wingers play.
- Cptmjl

It amazing to me the Pens have anything left to trade at this point.

Guess Lou is done. Shame. We could have used another dman.
- Mancalledsting

Probably but I wouldn’t count him out just yet.

Unless the League is sitting on some stuff for approval, it looks like all the significant trades were accomplished well ahead of the deadline.