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
- eichiefs9

In-house options are definitely something I'd consider to save money at that position. I'm not saying it's without risk. But risks have to be taken if they're going to free up any money to bring in the attributes this team's obviously lacking. And taking a risk at 5D is one I'd be OK with.

Otherwise we can do the super safe thing, bring this exact same team back, and throw it at the wall again. I don't know if that's any less of a risk. I don't know if it's any more wishcasting to think Bolduc/Wotherspoon could platoon to fill the 5D spot than it is to think Wahlstrom is going to flip a switch, tear up the league, and solve the Isles' offensive issues. Relying on either is a risk, imo, it's just a matter of where you place that risk.

In-house options are definitely something I'd consider to save money at that position. I'm not saying it's without risk. But risks have to be taken if they're going to free up any money to bring in the attributes this team's obviously lacking. And taking a risk at 5D is one I'd be OK with.

Otherwise we can do the super safe thing, bring this exact same team back, and throw it at the wall again. I don't know if that's any less of a risk. I don't know if it's any more wishcasting to think Bolduc/Wotherspoon could platoon to fill the 5D spot than it is to think Wahlstrom is going to flip a switch, tear up the league, and solve the Isles' offensive issues. Relying on either is a risk, imo, it's just a matter of where you place that risk.
- UIF

That's fair.

Moving Bailey may free up the space to add something of value, after taking care of re-signing the guys that need it. I don't know how much they'll realistically be able to add without clearing even more space.

I hear you on the risk-taking part going with Aho and a rookie on the 3rd pairing but the defense already isn't what it used to be and that seems extra risky to me. I don't really know what the right answer is here.

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

I do not any of us truly has the exact formula. I would consider it more of a theory than a formula. The formula is what you put together to make the theory a reality.

Someone talked about balance. I think it is critical to have balance in your top six and top four, as well as your goaltending...after that it comes down to put your most cost effective bottom six and bottom three. I say three on d here bc of injury.

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

I do not any of us truly has the exact formula. I would consider it more of a theory than a formula. The formula is what you put together to make the theory a reality.

Someone talked about balance. I think it is critical to have balance in your top six and top four, as well as your goaltending...after that it comes down to put your most cost effective bottom six and bottom three. I say three on d here bc of injury.

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
- ses111

Engvall could fill the void if Parise leaves.

Engvall could fill the void if Parise leaves.
- Nfdbulldawg

Islanders can use his speed for sure. It's all about the money though.

In-house options are definitely something I'd consider to save money at that position. I'm not saying it's without risk. But risks have to be taken if they're going to free up any money to bring in the attributes this team's obviously lacking. And taking a risk at 5D is one I'd be OK with.

Otherwise we can do the super safe thing, bring this exact same team back, and throw it at the wall again. I don't know if that's any less of a risk. I don't know if it's any more wishcasting to think Bolduc/Wotherspoon could platoon to fill the 5D spot than it is to think Wahlstrom is going to flip a switch, tear up the league, and solve the Isles' offensive issues. Relying on either is a risk, imo, it's just a matter of where you place that risk.
- UIF

Everything is a risk, but it makes sense to use in house options when available for bottom pair roles in a hard Cap world. Brining back pretty much the same team a year older seems like a very risky plan and especially with other teams looking to improve.

Stefen Rosner @stefen_rosner
13m
#Isles announce they have signed forward Eetu Liukas to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Was selected in the fifth round (157th overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft.

He's a grinding type of forward, a future fourth-line piece.


Stefen Rosner @stefen_rosner
11m
I've spoken with @tiiahnkm_ about Liukas.

Liukas reminds her of Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck, with Liukas having the potential to be that next type of player for New York, when he gets his chance. One of those players that every winning team has to have.

#Isles

Stefen Rosner @stefen_rosner
13m
#Isles announce they have signed forward Eetu Liukas to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Was selected in the fifth round (157th overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft.

He's a grinding type of forward, a future fourth-line piece.


Stefen Rosner @stefen_rosner
11m
I've spoken with @tiiahnkm_ about Liukas.

Liukas reminds her of Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck, with Liukas having the potential to be that next type of player for New York, when he gets his chance. One of those players that every winning team has to have.

#Isles


- eichiefs9

Can never have enough 4th line players. How can this blog be off the main page?

Can never have enough 4th line players. How can this blog be off the main page?
- ses111

You need to update to stay relevant.

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

Well said. Not just RHD

Can never have enough 4th line players. How can this blog be off the main page?
- ses111

Are you hoping for the “I believe in this group” blog?

That's fair.

Moving Bailey may free up the space to add something of value, after taking care of re-signing the guys that need it. I don't know how much they'll realistically be able to add without clearing even more space.

I hear you on the risk-taking part going with Aho and a rookie on the 3rd pairing but the defense already isn't what it used to be and that seems extra risky to me. I don't really know what the right answer is here.
- eichiefs9

Problem is there isn’t really any right answer. That’s the situation right now. Damned if you do and more then likely damned if you don’t. I can’t see mayfield taking a four yr contract like you mentioned earlier unless we or someone else pays him way more then he’s worth. It’ll more then likely be his last contract so he’ll want term. I don’t blame him but I don’t feel comfortable signing another 30+ yr old to a long term contract. He picked up his play towards the end of the regular season and in the playoffs but was pretty abysmal for most of the season. I’ve always liked him for what he is but I’m part of the don’t resign him group. That’s unless it’s for under market value and term which I don’t see happening.

Are you hoping for the “I believe in this group” blog?
- Cptmjl

Sure why not.

Sure why not.
- ses111

I’m with you only so I don’t have to do any extra steps to get here.

Problem is there isn’t really any right answer. That’s the situation right now. Damned if you do and more then likely damned if you don’t. I can’t see mayfield taking a four yr contract like you mentioned earlier unless we or someone else pays him way more then he’s worth. It’ll more then likely be his last contract so he’ll want term. I don’t blame him but I don’t feel comfortable signing another 30+ yr old to a long term contract. He picked up his play towards the end of the regular season and in the playoffs but was pretty abysmal for most of the season. I’ve always liked him for what he is but I’m part of the don’t resign him group. That’s unless it’s for under market value and term which I don’t see happening.
- Cptmjl

I have been a fan of Mayfield since he was drafted. He did have a few rough spots through the season. You also have to look at the needless penalties. I think the bottom line here is that he is no better than a No.5 D. The amount of monies he will get is far more than the Isles should be allocating to this position with bigger and more glaring needs elsewhere. I look for a cheaper version and try and move his rights for a draft pick at or before the draft.

I have been a fan of Mayfield since he was drafted. He did have a few rough spots through the season. You also have to look at the needless penalties. I think the bottom line here is that he is no better than a No.5 D. The amount of monies he will get is far more than the Isles should be allocating to this position with bigger and more glaring needs elsewhere. I look for a cheaper version and try and move his rights for a draft pick at or before the draft.
- Nfdbulldawg

Im not sure if we’re getting anything for mayfields rights but hey if we can get anything I’m all for it. I don’t really think this team is in the position to be committing long term to anymore 30+ players long term. It needs to stop at some point. I say that fully expecting it to continue.

I’ll add if we can get him signed to a shorter term and lower aav then I expect I’m all for it. I just don’t see that being a possibility.

Im not sure if we’re getting anything for mayfields rights but hey if we can get anything I’m all for it. I don’t really think this team is in the position to be committing long term to anymore 30+ players long term. It needs to stop at some point. I say that fully expecting it to continue.

I’ll add if we can get him signed to a shorter term and lower aav then I expect I’m all for it. I just don’t see that being a possibility.
- Cptmjl

Islanders have to start using more younger players like other teams and especially in a hard Cap world. Islanders have used a mostly veteran team. Yes, the team went on those two long playoffs runs. They cannot live off those runs forever. This is not the same team and coach any longer.

Islanders have to start using more younger players like other teams and especially in a hard Cap world. Islanders have used a mostly veteran team. Yes, the team went on those two long playoffs runs. They cannot live off those runs forever. This is not the same team and coach any longer.
- ses111

The problem is, which I keep going back too, we don’t have those young players that are ready to contribute at the nhl level. We have one of if not the worst prospect pools in the NHL. What you’re saying isn’t wrong but you can’t do what you’re saying without the goods.

The problem is, which I keep going back too, we don’t have those young players that are ready to contribute at the nhl level. We have one of if not the worst prospect pools in the NHL. What you’re saying isn’t wrong but you can’t do what you’re saying without the goods.
- Cptmjl

Islanders do not seem to have the prime-time top prospects at the moment. They may or may not have an internal option to play 5D and they may have a forward or two to play bottom 6. Players like JGP and Palms have helped, but it hurt giving up the #1's for not more sure-fire offensive support.

Andrew Gross
@AGrossNewsday
Per @Sportico , former NHL CEO John Collins is investing in #Isles and will become the team's operating partner and run the Islanders' business operations. He will work with owner Scott Malkin and co-owner Jon Ledecky.

Collins was largely responsible for the Winter Classic/Stadium Series and a lot of the growth the NHL has seen since 2008

Looks like Malkin/Ledecky cashing out some equity, too. The Isles valuation has almost doubled what they paid for the team 9 years ago.

Andrew Gross
@AGrossNewsday
Per @Sportico , former NHL CEO John Collins is investing in #Isles and will become the team's operating partner and run the Islanders' business operations. He will work with owner Scott Malkin and co-owner Jon Ledecky.

Collins was largely responsible for the Winter Classic/Stadium Series and a lot of the growth the NHL has seen since 2008

Looks like Malkin/Ledecky cashing out some equity, too. The Isles valuation has almost doubled what they paid for the team 9 years ago.
- eichiefs9

Does this mean I need to get a pin from John Collins now?

Does this mean I need to get a pin from John Collins now?
- ses111

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I think it's a really good hire for the business side. I assume we'll never hear much about him, but he negotiated a lot of really lucrative business deals for the NHL in his time as COO.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I think it's a really good hire for the business side. I assume we'll never hear much about him, but he negotiated a lot of really lucrative business deals for the NHL in his time as COO.
- eichiefs9

Maybe he can talk to top UFA's when we have the Cap room again.