I think it was mostly the draft and trades that build those Devils teams. Remember Scott Stevens was awarded to the Devils.
- ses111

Lou was able to lure Ilya Kovalchuk at the time when every team was after him, by front loading. It was a brilliant circumvent of the cap. I really thought with Lou coming here the isles would be able to aquire talent via free agency. It’s a major problem and it’s now becoming obvious that players aren’t opting to come here.

Lou was able to lure Ilya Kovalchuk at the time when every team was after him, by front loading. It was a brilliant circumvent of the cap. I really thought with Lou coming here the isles would be able to aquire talent via free agency. It’s a major problem and it’s now becoming obvious that players aren’t opting to come here.
- kindlyrick

Neil Smith with a lousy Coli was able to sign better UFA's in 5 months than Garth and Lou have managed.

So
Do we want an Islanders win or loss tonight? I'm confused.

Neil Smith with a lousy Coli was able to sign better UFA's in 5 months than Garth and Lou have managed.
- ses111

10000%. We were told, it’s the coliseum, it’s the practice facility, then it was Barclays and traffic. Now what’s the excuse, cause it ain’t lack of funds.
Like I said there’s some names available this summer that could improve this club without having to trade Nelson, or Palmieri. That’s the route that needs to be taken by either Lou or his replacement.

So
Do we want an Islanders win or loss tonight? I'm confused.
- chazpet

They’re not out of the playoff run mathematically.

10000%. We were told, it’s the coliseum, it’s the practice facility, then it was Barclays and traffic. Now what’s the excuse, cause it ain’t lack of funds.
Like I said there’s some names available this summer that could improve this club without having to trade Nelson, or Palmieri. That’s the route that needs to be taken by either Lou or his replacement.
- kindlyrick

Unless the Cap goes up enough, I'm not sure how the Islanders can sign someone significant enough and still keep Nelson and Palms? I think Nelson and Palms both need to go. Time for some sort of retool/rebuild.

They’re not out of the playoff run mathematically.
- kindlyrick

That is correct. Theoretically, they could even finish first in the division. It's obviously not happening however.

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

My head tells me they would be better off tanking. But until they are mathematically eliminated, my instinct will kick in and I will root for them.

That is correct. Theoretically, they could even finish first in the division. It's obviously not happening however.

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

My head tells me they would be better off tanking. But until they are mathematically eliminated, my instinct will kick in and I will root for them.
- JohnScammo

I agree with this John.

That is correct. Theoretically, they could even finish first in the division. It's obviously not happening however.

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

My head tells me they would be better off tanking. But until they are mathematically eliminated, my instinct will kick in and I will root for them.
- JohnScammo

Tanking isn’t even tanking anymore. It should be like it was…..worst team gets the first overall pick and so on. Something is shady with the draft lottery. SOMEHOW, the two teams that “won” the first overall pick, were original six teams who are huge money makers. Honorable mention to the Oilers for “winning” the draft lottery 4 outta 5 years when no one would sign with them.

Unless the Cap goes up enough, I'm not sure how the Islanders can sign someone significant enough and still keep Nelson and Palms? I think Nelson and Palms both need to go. Time for some sort of retool/rebuild.
- ses111

I don’t know the name of the stat but you have Nelson, and Palms putting up numbers not in line with their salaries. I’d rather see the isles move Lee (even if it meant giving up a pick) and possibly Varlamov or Pulock to free up money. Sign a UFA Dman and a forward or two.

I don’t know the name of the stat but you have Nelson, and Palms putting up numbers not in line with their salaries. I’d rather see the isles move Lee (even if it meant giving up a pick) and possibly Varlamov or Pulock to free up money. Sign a UFA Dman and a forward or two.
- kindlyrick

Unless something drastically changes this year, Islanders will continue to not be an attractive option for a top UFA. I'll be happy to sign a good UFA for a year or two at this point. I no longer trust Lou making these decisions.

Unless something drastically changes this year, Islanders will continue to not be an attractive option for a top UFA. I'll be happy to sign a good UFA for a year or two at this point. I no longer trust Lou making these decisions.
- ses111

https://www.capfriendly.com/browse/free-agents

There’s at least 5 forwards and 4 dmen who are UFAs that could improve this club. Some of those names were traded at the deadline. Perhaps Lou opted not to give up an asset at the deadline to sign XYZ name July 1st?

Nelson-Horvat-Palmieri
Lee-Barzal-Fasching
Engvall-Pageau-Holmstrom
MacLean-Cizikas-Clutterbuck
Pelech-Dobson
Romanov-Pulock
Reilly-Bortuzzo
Sorokin

Nelson-Horvat-Palmieri
Lee-Barzal-Fasching
Engvall-Pageau-Holmstrom
MacLean-Cizikas-Clutterbuck
Pelech-Dobson
Romanov-Pulock
Reilly-Bortuzzo
Sorokin
- kindlyrick

Poor Barzal. Just re-arranging the deck chairs.

Poor Barzal. Just re-arranging the deck chairs.
- ses111

In fairness to Barzal that’s where he played when Tavares was here. But, in typical isles fashion they bumped him up as the face of the franchise after Tavares left. Talented player and we all know can skate, but Boston did pass on him 3 picks in a row. Maybe he’s truly a 2C? 🤷🏻‍♂️

In fairness to Barzal that’s where he played when Tavares was here. But, in typical isles fashion they bumped him up as the face of the franchise after Tavares left. Talented player and we all know can skate, but Boston did pass on him 3 picks in a row. Maybe he’s truly a 2C? 🤷🏻‍♂️
- kindlyrick

I'm talking about being stuck with Lee and Fasching. Barzal is the least of the teams issues.

I'm talking about being stuck with Lee and Fasching. Barzal is the least of the teams issues.
- ses111

I guess Roy doesn’t think so. I believe they call that a demotion or a wake up call.

I guess Roy doesn’t think so. I believe they call that a demotion or a wake up call.
- kindlyrick

I guess Barzal has had a lousy year.

I guess Barzal has had a lousy year.
- ses111

Unpopular opinion, but not a fan…..not for his salary. For all the talk of trading Nelson and Palmieri, I’d look to move Barzal first. He’d garner the highest return. Sign Reinhardt, Guetzel or Elias Lindholm to play on the first line, and maybe Marchessault if they can move more cap or buy out Lee. Trade Pulock and Varly and sign Hanifin.

10000%. We were told, it’s the coliseum, it’s the practice facility, then it was Barclays and traffic. Now what’s the excuse, cause it ain’t lack of funds.
Like I said there’s some names available this summer that could improve this club without having to trade Nelson, or Palmieri. That’s the route that needs to be taken by either Lou or his replacement.
- kindlyrick

Not sure what anyone else is thinking but if you have an opportunity to get rid of Palmieri you do it.

Unpopular opinion, but not a fan…..not for his salary. For all the talk of trading Nelson and Palmieri, I’d look to move Barzal first. He’d garner the highest return. Sign Reinhardt, Guetzel or Elias Lindholm to play on the first line, and maybe Marchessault if they can move more cap. Trade Pulock and Varly and sign Hanifin.
- kindlyrick

You make everything sound so easy.

You make everything sound so easy.
- ses111

Well as an armchair GM, that’s my job lol

Not sure what anyone else is thinking but if you have an opportunity to get rid of Palmieri you do it.
- Cptmjl

Guys making 5 million a year and is a UFA after next year. He’s got 22 goals this year. Is he really the priority to move???

Guys making 5 million a year and is a UFA after next year. He’s got 22 goals this year. Is he really the priority to move???
- kindlyrick

Yes because he has value and the team does not seem close to being a legit Cup team. It’s also a stretch to think Palms can remain healthy next year.

Yes because he has value and the team does not seem close to being a legit Cup team.
- ses111

I get the idea of trading on the high, but the guy is only on the hook for one more year and has 22 goals thus far with a losing season (that’s more than Barzal). I’m not saying they must keep him but he’s the type of player a winning team needs in the middle 6. I get the isles aren’t a winning team, but they can be with the addition of some UFAs and removal of some dead weight.