Well, the main thing for me is he's certainly going to be getting a raise over what he's making now, and any additional money spent on the 5th d-man takes away from money to improve elsewhere.
- UIF

Islanders need to break the habit of overpaying bottom pair players.

Well, the main thing for me is he's certainly going to be getting a raise over what he's making now, and any additional money spent on the 5th d-man takes away from money to improve elsewhere.
- UIF

Again what does it cost for a replacement 5th Man and what is the deal Mayfield is seeking?
Do we know? Or are we going on the internet GM's 5 Million plus valuation?
If Mayfield wants 5 million then see ya. But we have no idea what he wants.
I would love to be a fly on the wall to hear the negotiations. What would you sign Mayfield for?

From all the fans that i speak with, patience with Lou is growing thin. If/when this team come out of the gate slow, I can definitely see the fans turning on him and happy go lucky Ledecky. The "Lou must go" chants will begin to echo in their shiny, new arena.
- Mancalledsting

The fans said that the summer Lou was hired and made all the terrible trades and signings which only earned the team 4 PO appearances in 5 years with 2 ECF appearances. unbelievable how this Fan Base forgets what a dumpster fire this organization was under Snow and Co.

Again what does it cost for a replacement 5th Man and what is the deal Mayfield is seeking?
Do we know? Or are we going on the internet GM's 5 Million plus valuation?
If Mayfield wants 5 million then see ya. But we have no idea what he wants.
I would love to be a fly on the wall to hear the negotiations. What would you sign Mayfield for?
- nyisles7

I wouldn't sign Mayfield for anything over what he's making, which basically means I wouldn't sign Mayfield. I don't think he moves the needle for what this team needs, which is to get younger, faster, and score more. I'd rather go bottom dollar for a bottom-pair replacement and use any savings toward speed, scoring, or youth.

Edit -- I don't think anyone agreed with me here when I said I'd be open to bringing back Engvall, but I think a better case can be made that he at least adds something the Isles are desperately missing: speed.

Nothing against Mayfield...he's a warrior, no doubt. But for a team that really needs to be faster than it is, I don't see the logic in spending the precious little cap space they have on a raise for one of the slower players who's already on the wrong side of 30.

I wouldn't sign Mayfield for anything over what he's making, which basically means I wouldn't sign Mayfield. I don't think he moves the needle for what this team needs, which is to get younger, faster, and score more. I'd rather go bottom dollar for a bottom-pair replacement and use any savings toward speed, scoring, or youth.

Edit -- I don't think anyone agreed with me here when I said I'd be open to bringing back Engvall, but I think a better case can be made that he at least adds something the Isles are desperately missing: speed.

Nothing against Mayfield...he's a warrior, no doubt. But for a team that really needs to be faster than it is, I don't see the logic in spending the precious little cap space they have on a raise for one of the slower players who's already on the wrong side of 30.
- UIF

I do think the Islanders can use Engvall speed UIF. According to the following it looks like Lou wants him back. My question is where are the changes coming from if the Isles pretty much want to bring back the same team?


Andrew Gross
@AGrossNewsday
·
2h
Lou Lamoriello said #Isles free agents are the priority. Would like to re-sign Mayfield, Engvall, Varlamov.

As for Zach Parise, Lou said he'd like Parise back but sounded like decision is more on Parise's end as to whether he wants to play. Said Zach was talking to his family

From all the fans that i speak with, patience with Lou is growing thin. If/when this team come out of the gate slow, I can definitely see the fans turning on him and happy go lucky Ledecky. The "Lou must go" chants will begin to echo in their shiny, new arena.
- Mancalledsting

Like I said when he made that Horvat trade he was committed to this core for better or worse. I also stated retools or rebuilds aren’t his style. It’s going to be a continuation of going for it until we have another GM. Lameriello has said multiple times he doesn’t value draft picks or prospects like the rest of the league does.

Islanders need to break the habit of overpaying bottom pair players.
- ses111

I can’t remember them overpaying bottom pair D men but hopefully it doesn’t start now.

I wouldn't sign Mayfield for anything over what he's making, which basically means I wouldn't sign Mayfield. I don't think he moves the needle for what this team needs, which is to get younger, faster, and score more. I'd rather go bottom dollar for a bottom-pair replacement and use any savings toward speed, scoring, or youth.

Edit -- I don't think anyone agreed with me here when I said I'd be open to bringing back Engvall, but I think a better case can be made that he at least adds something the Isles are desperately missing: speed.

Nothing against Mayfield...he's a warrior, no doubt. But for a team that really needs to be faster than it is, I don't see the logic in spending the precious little cap space they have on a raise for one of the slower players who's already on the wrong side of 30.
- UIF

Sums up the way I feel pretty nicely in one sentence.

Like I said when he made that Horvat trade he was committed to this core for better or worse. I also stated retools or rebuilds aren’t his style. It’s going to be a continuation of going for it until we have another GM. Lameriello has said multiple times he doesn’t value draft picks or prospects like the rest of the league does.
- Cptmjl

I'm just not sure what the plan is going forward? Will the Islanders try to play a more offensive game, or do they want to go back the Barry's style with strong goaltending and defense? It seems the Islanders are thinking we just a little more luck, they could have gotten past teams like Tampa and the Canes. They are 0-4 against these teams in the playoffs. Does not seem to be a fluke.

I'm just not sure what the plan is going forward? Will the Islanders try to play a more offensive game, or do they want to go back the Barry's style with strong goaltending and defense? It seems the Islanders are thinking we just a little more luck, they could have gotten past teams like Tampa and the Canes. They are 0-4 against these teams in the playoffs. Does not seem to be a fluke.
- ses111

They took Tampa to seven games the year they won the cup so with a little more luck they could’ve won that series. Canes series was fairly tight so if their pp was half way decent and some calls went their way they could’ve won it but I’m not sure how they would’ve matched up against the panthers. Probably somewhere along the same lines as the canes did. I think with another year under this cores belt we’re not going to see improvement from them at least. That’s not usually how it works.

I assume Horvat will be much better then we’ve seen and we have to hope both Wahlstrom and Dobson take big steps this year. That happens we could be decently competitive. Especially if we could somehow get a decent player or two for the top 6. Probably a pipe dream for two but hey I guy can dream.

They took Tampa to seven games the year they won the cup so with a little more luck they could’ve won that series. Canes series was fairly tight so if their pp was half way decent and some calls went their way they could’ve won it but I’m not sure how they would’ve match up against the panthers. Probably somewhere along the same lines as the canes did. I think with another year under this cores belt we’re not going to see improvement from them at least. That’s not usually how it works.

I assume Horvat will be much better then we’ve seen and we have to hope both Wahlstrom and Dobson take big steps this year. That happens we could be decently competitive. Especially if we could somehow get a decent player or two for the top 6. Probably a pipe dream for two but hey I guy can dream.
- Cptmjl

The problem is the majority of this team is not going to get better. This is not a young and upcoming team that will grow and improve. Running it back does not seem to be a good plan. There is already a ton of pressure on Sorokin to carry this team. Bo and Dobson should be better. Wally is an unknown. Just seems like not enough sure fire bets to be a true Cup contender.

Well, the main thing for me is he's certainly going to be getting a raise over what he's making now, and any additional money spent on the 5th d-man takes away from money to improve elsewhere.
- UIF

So you’re saying you pay him what he’s making now or he can leave?
I think that’s foolish. I think a deal gets done.
It will be incentivized by term vs money.
Knowing the player you’re signing is much better than taking a flyer on a new player.
Chemistry is big.

The problem is the majority of this team is not going to get better. This is not a young and upcoming team that will grow and improve. Running it back does not seem to be a good plan. There is already a ton of pressure on Sorokin to carry this team. Bo and Dobson should be better. Wally is an unknown. Just seems like not enough sure fire bets to be a true Cup contender.
- ses111

I don’t disagree. The real problem is we don’t have any upcoming cheap talent unless Wahlstrom really steps up. I’m not betting on that but I hope to be wrong. If we had some even middle six young talent we could add a significant player that could be impactful instead of signing middle 6’ers which from what Lou said today seems to be the plan. Nothing is really sure fire in this league especially when it comes to the playoffs. Just hope Wahlstrom is better then most of us think, Horvat kicks butt along with Dobson, and we get in healthy to the playoffs. Look at what happened with Tage Thompson and imagine if Wahlstrom could deliver half as much. That would be pretty impactful for this lineup if the “core” could continue their play somewhat.

I don’t disagree. The real problem is we don’t have any upcoming cheap talent unless Wahlstrom really steps up. I’m not betting on that but I hope to be wrong. If we had some even middle six young talent we could add a significant player that could be impactful instead of signing middle 6’ers which from what Lou said today seems to be the plan. Nothing is really sure fire in this league especially when it comes to the playoffs. Just hope Wahlstrom is better then most of us think, Horvat kicks butt along with Dobson, and we get in healthy to the playoffs. Look at what happened with Tage Thompson and imagine if Wahlstrom could deliver half as much. That would be pretty impactful for this lineup if the “core” could continue their play somewhat.
- Cptmjl

When you are built like the Islanders and need to keep things close, you need a lot to go right. You need those games where the offense takes over and makes things easier on the goalie and defense. The odd if this current Islanders teams getting to a Cup are not great.

So you’re saying you pay him what he’s making now or he can leave?
I think that’s foolish. I think a deal gets done.
It will be incentivized by term vs money.
Knowing the player you’re signing is much better than taking a flyer on a new player.
Chemistry is big.
- nyisles7

I like Mayfield. There are some teams that got knocked out of the playoffs that I think would have benefited from having him on their rosters.

For the Isles, though, there's a lot of money already spent on 30+ year old support players. Solid, reliable vets are important, so I'm not saying all those contracts are bad or not worth it. Just that there's a lot of them on the books, and if the Isles are going to free up any money at all to hunt for an upgrade and bring in some of the skills the team's lacking, they need to balance some of those vet contracts with cheaper ones, especially in some of the less critical roles.

Mayfield's contract is up, and he's going to get more than the Isles should spend for their 5th d-man given what they're already spending on other depth roles. Maybe a reasonable downgrade at the 5D position is part of the price you pay to upgrade further up the lineup.

I’m expecting something along the lines of we’re excited with this group but we’ll do everything we can to improve the team.
- Cptmjl

This was pretty much it in a nut shell.

Again what does it cost for a replacement 5th Man and what is the deal Mayfield is seeking?
Do we know? Or are we going on the internet GM's 5 Million plus valuation?
If Mayfield wants 5 million then see ya. But we have no idea what he wants.
I would love to be a fly on the wall to hear the negotiations. What would you sign Mayfield for?
- nyisles7

I would not resign him. I would flip his rights at the draft if possible for a late round pick.

I like Mayfield. There are some teams that got knocked out of the playoffs that I think would have benefited from having him on their rosters.

For the Isles, though, there's a lot of money already spent on 30+ year old support players. Solid, reliable vets are important, so I'm not saying all those contracts are bad or not worth it. Just that there's a lot of them on the books, and if the Isles are going to free up any money at all to hunt for an upgrade and bring in some of the skills the team's lacking, they need to balance some of those vet contracts with cheaper ones, especially in some of the less critical roles.

Mayfield's contract is up, and he's going to get more than the Isles should spend for their 5th d-man given what they're already spending on other depth roles. Maybe a reasonable downgrade at the 5D position is part of the price you pay to upgrade further up the lineup.
- UIF

This is what you need to do in a Cap world and it's something Lou and other GM's have struggled with. You need to have enough to spend on top 6 forwards and top 4d. Islanders have not done a good job filling in the bottom level roles with younger and cheaper talent. I get it Lou likes vets but it makes things difficult when you do not have young talent to rely on.

https://nypost.com/2023/0...t-returning-to-islanders/

This is what you need to do in a Cap world and it's something Lou and other GM's have struggled with. You need to have enough to spend on top 6 forwards and top 4d. Islanders have not done a good job filling in the bottom level roles with younger and cheaper talent. I get it Lou likes vets but it makes things difficult when you do not have young talent to rely on.
- ses111

I think you need to balance it out. I mean, Toronto went maybe a bit too top heavy and they've been unsuccessfully trying to fill in grit, character, reliability, and leadership ever since. I can't pretend to know what the winning formula is, but I know the Isles have had four cracks at it now in the playoffs with this bottom-up formula and they've come close, but haven't gotten it done. They need a bit more of something else, and I don't think it's just the same crowd wanting it a little more or being just a little grittier.

The money for bringing that new element in has to come from somewhere and at the expense of someone. Bailey would be a start, but if the plan is to bring back everyone else, his entire $5 million will be spent on that. I think there have to be additional sacrifices, and probably more than one. If that's the case, I believe Mayfield, and the role he fills, is less critical and more replaceable than some of the other names that get thrown around.

I wouldn't sign Mayfield for anything over what he's making, which basically means I wouldn't sign Mayfield. I don't think he moves the needle for what this team needs, which is to get younger, faster, and score more. I'd rather go bottom dollar for a bottom-pair replacement and use any savings toward speed, scoring, or youth.

Edit -- I don't think anyone agreed with me here when I said I'd be open to bringing back Engvall, but I think a better case can be made that he at least adds something the Isles are desperately missing: speed.

Nothing against Mayfield...he's a warrior, no doubt. But for a team that really needs to be faster than it is, I don't see the logic in spending the precious little cap space they have on a raise for one of the slower players who's already on the wrong side of 30.
- UIF

I'm not Mayfield's biggest fan, but I think it's a bit extreme saying he's only worth what his current contract is. If you look at what it'd cost to sign any other #5-ish defenseman, you're probably paying around double what Mayfield's deal is and there's not a guarantee you'd be getting an upgrade at that price.

I'd be comfortable around $3M/yr for him on a 4 year deal, give or take about half a million per year. I think he could almost certainly get more than that on the open market, especially given a very weak UFA class. North of that though, in dollars and/or term, I'd probably start to dislike the deal very much.

There's not much out there and there's even less if you're looking for a RHD to take that spot

https://www.capfriendly.c...nse/ufa?stats-season=2023

I think you need to balance it out. I mean, Toronto went maybe a bit too top heavy and they've been unsuccessfully trying to fill in grit, character, reliability, and leadership ever since. I can't pretend to know what the winning formula is, but I know the Isles have had four cracks at it now in the playoffs with this bottom-up formula and they've come close, but haven't gotten it done. They need a bit more of something else, and I don't think it's just the same crowd wanting it a little more or being just a little grittier.

The money for bringing that new element in has to come from somewhere and at the expense of someone. Bailey would be a start, but if the plan is to bring back everyone else, his entire $5 million will be spent on that. I think there have to be additional sacrifices, and probably more than one. If that's the case, I believe Mayfield, and the role he fills, is less critical and more replaceable than some of the other names that get thrown around.
- UIF

No question you do not want to follow the Leafs model where you already have a great 1C and you sign another 1C in a hard Cap world. You also do not want to follow the Islander model with loading up on 3rd line players.

You are right that moving on from Bailey is a start, but not enough if the plan is bringing everyone back. Lou has to understanding this team is not the same that when on those two runs and Covid made things very different. That team had more speed in Leddy, Toews, Beau, and Eberle. Players like Lee and Palms were younger as well. Barry was also coaching as well. I just do not think this current team has a long playoff run in them.

I'm not Mayfield's biggest fan, but I think it's a bit extreme saying he's only worth what his current contract is. If you look at what it'd cost to sign any other #5-ish defenseman, you're probably paying around double what Mayfield's deal is and there's not a guarantee you'd be getting an upgrade at that price.

I'd be comfortable around $3M/yr for him on a 4 year deal, give or take about half a million per year. I think he could almost certainly get more than that on the open market, especially given a very weak UFA class. North of that though, in dollars and/or term, I'd probably start to dislike the deal very much.

There's not much out there and there's even less if you're looking for a RHD to take that spot

https://www.capfriendly.c...nse/ufa?stats-season=2023
- eichiefs9

Is it that horrible to have two LHD on the 3rd pair in Aho and Bolduc? This fear in trusting and developing young players has caused the Islanders Cap issues. I understand the game is not played on paper, but this roster does not have the look and feel of a true Cup contender.

I'm not Mayfield's biggest fan, but I think it's a bit extreme saying he's only worth what his current contract is. If you look at what it'd cost to sign any other #5-ish defenseman, you're probably paying around double what Mayfield's deal is and there's not a guarantee you'd be getting an upgrade at that price.

I'd be comfortable around $3M/yr for him on a 4 year deal, give or take about half a million per year. I think he could almost certainly get more than that on the open market, especially given a very weak UFA class. North of that though, in dollars and/or term, I'd probably start to dislike the deal very much.

There's not much out there and there's even less if you're looking for a RHD to take that spot

https://www.capfriendly.c...nse/ufa?stats-season=2023
- eichiefs9

I didn't say that. I said that's all I would pay for him to come back to the Islanders. If it was a different team with different needs, I'd pay considerably more for Mayfield, who I like as a player.

It'd be like TB not paying $8m for another really good goaltender when it already has Vasilevskiy. That doesn't mean TB thinks the goalie sucks or that another team shouldn't pay.

I didn't say that. I said that's all I would pay for him to come back to the Islanders. If it was a different team with different needs, I'd pay considerably more for Mayfield, who I like as a player.

It'd be like TB not paying $8m for another really good goaltender when it already has Vasilevskiy. That doesn't mean TB thinks the goalie sucks or that another team shouldn't pay.
- UIF

I see what you mean, but they're still not going to adequately fill that role for the same cost. If you're going to give me the choice between Radko Gudas at $3M or Mayfield at $3M I'm probably going to choose the latter.

You could go with Aho and a rookie/real young guy...but that carries quite a bit of inherent risk