It's now 3 different coaches (Trotz, Lambert and Roy) who have given up on Wally. Maybe the problem is Wally and not the coaches?
- JohnScammo

No question it's on Wally. I'm sure the injuries have not helped. I'm just afraid with Islanders luck, Wally finally finds it elsewhere. I'm fine with a better option at this point. I think scouting has been the biggest issue. Islanders have not been good about drafting players that can skate or have high hockey intelligence.

It's now 3 different coaches (Trotz, Lambert and Roy) who have given up on Wally. Maybe the problem is Wally and not the coaches?
- JohnScammo

Yep just like this team hasn’t been good under three different coaches. 😆

No question it's on Wally. I'm sure the injuries have not helped. I'm just afraid with Islanders luck, Wally finally finds it elsewhere. I'm fine with a better option at this point. I think scouting has been the biggest issue. Islanders have not been good about drafting players that can skate or have high hockey intelligence.
- ses111

I am absolutely not sticking up for the kid but his injury very well may have to do with what we saw last season. He wasn’t that great before the injury but he was better then what we saw last season. I can’t see him being a part of the teams future no matter what the reason is for his subpar play.

I am absolutely not sticking up for the kid but his injury very well may have to do with what we saw last season. He wasn’t that great before the injury but he was better then what we saw last season. I can’t see him being a part of the teams future no matter what the reason is for his subpar play.
- Cptmjl

I agree and it's not about sticking up for Wally. Maybe he will just never live up to his draft position. I just think it's interesting that the GM, scouts, and development people get a pass with the Islanders when they play a part in this team and it's not just the players or coaches. These players come from somewhere.

Yep just like this team hasn’t been good under three different coaches. 😆
- Cptmjl

Lou does not have the power. He has no hand in drafting the players and he cannot change the roster. Coaches have to make it work. Islanders having lousy prospects is a coaching issue and not a GM issue.

Any ideas on the kid George? How far off do you guys think he is? Apparently they loved him at camp last year.

Any ideas on the kid George? How far off do you guys think he is? Apparently they loved him at camp last year.
- chazpet

I would think a year or two away. Does not seem to be an open spot for him anyway.

I could see them moving on from Pageau and giving 4C to MacLean and 3C to Cizikas.

Fine move for cap space, but MacLean was around 42% at the dot and Pageau was 55%. That's a big gap that's going to leave them with faceoff issues.
- eichiefs9

It is a decent size gap, but you still have Casey, Brock, and Bo taking the critical draws. Moving on from JGP might be the move. If I had to choose between JGP or Brock, I am moving JGP. IT would hurt the least.

Wonder what happens with Wally? Would you move Nelson, Palms, or JGP this offseason or wait until 2025 deadline? I just worry Lou would not move them if the Islander were in a playoff spot or close.
- ses111

If the knee was truly an issue this as indicated in some articles. Lou may sign him to another 1-year deal. The other option is to move him at the draft. They won't get much, but if signing him is not an option they should try and at least get a pick.

Any ideas on the kid George? How far off do you guys think he is? Apparently they loved him at camp last year.
- chazpet

Getting him to Bridgeport would be a good start next year. They could use the help as well. Having him play there would give us a good idea where he might land in the future.

No question it's on Wally. I'm sure the injuries have not helped. I'm just afraid with Islanders luck, Wally finally finds it elsewhere. I'm fine with a better option at this point. I think scouting has been the biggest issue. Islanders have not been good about drafting players that can skate or have high hockey intelligence.
- ses111

It is a decent size gap, but you still have Casey, Brock, and Bo taking the critical draws. Moving on from JGP might be the move. If I had to choose between JGP or Brock, I am moving JGP. IT would hurt the least.
- Nfdbulldawg

Problem with keeping Nelson is we will have to extend him. I say this as a fan of his but I’m not so sure that’s a great idea. Looking at past contracts Lou has inked in these kinds of situations I can only imagine it will be for to long and to much money.

The most logical move would be to trade both him and Palmieri. Their value will never be higher. Though I fully expect that NOT to happen.

Problem with keeping Nelson is we will have to extend him. I say this as a fan of his but I’m not so sure that’s a great idea. Looking at past contracts Lou has inked in these kinds of situations I can only imagine it will be for to long and to much money.

The most logical move would be to trade both him and Palmieri. Their value will never be higher. Though I fully expect that NOT to happen.
- Cptmjl

This roster has gone as far as they can go. Nelson and Palms will only get worse with age. Time to move on.

Problem with keeping Nelson is we will have to extend him. I say this as a fan of his but I’m not so sure that’s a great idea. Looking at past contracts Lou has inked in these kinds of situations I can only imagine it will be for to long and to much money.

The most logical move would be to trade both him and Palmieri. Their value will never be higher. Though I fully expect that NOT to happen.
- Cptmjl

Part of me hopes that the two of them have monster seasons in a contract year and get traded for a fortune at the deadline

Part of me hopes that the two of them have monster seasons in a contract year and get traded for a fortune at the deadline
- eichiefs9

I would just hope Lou has the discipline to trade them. I think the 2025 draft may be better than this year's draft. I worry about injuries and especially with Palms.

I would just hope Lou has the discipline to trade them. I think the 2025 may be better than this years draft. I worry about injuries and especially with Palms.
- ses111

Problem is that the Islanders are likely to be right in the same zone that they were a fringe playoff team that probably has little chance of advancing. Obviously this is pending what happens in the offseason, but the way things stand now that's where I'm seeing them sitting around the trade deadline

Problem is that the Islanders are likely to be right in the same zone that they were a fringe playoff team that probably has little chance of advancing. Obviously this is pending what happens in the offseason, but the way things stand now that's where I'm seeing them sitting around the trade deadline
- eichiefs9

As long as Lou thinks this is a legit Cup team, it will be a problem. Sorokin is really going to have to regain his form and especially if there will be only minor changes.

As long as Lou thinks this is a legit Cup team, it will be a problem. Sorokin is really going to have to regain his form and especially if there will be only minor changes.
- ses111

I'm not worried about Sorokin. He didn't just forget how to play goaltender, I'm confident he'll bounce back.

I'm not worried about Sorokin. He didn't just forget how to play goaltender, I'm confident he'll bounce back.
- eichiefs9

I'm not worried either, but he'll need more help from this roster. This team has to figure out how to play solid defense without the offense going dry.

Problem is that the Islanders are likely to be right in the same zone that they were a fringe playoff team that probably has little chance of advancing. Obviously this is pending what happens in the offseason, but the way things stand now that's where I'm seeing them sitting around the trade deadline
- eichiefs9

Yeah, if Palmieri and Nelson are having monster seasons, that probably means the Isles are right in the thick of it, and I really don't think they'd sell in that case. They haven't the past two seasons in that same situation. I think "just get in and anything can happen" is not only Lou's preferred mindset, but also it's a stronger motivator for driving ticket sales than, "We can score some good draft picks and prospects and build for the future."

Yeah, if Palmieri and Nelson are having monster seasons, that probably means the Isles are right in the thick of it, and I really don't think they'd sell in that case. They haven't the past two seasons in that same situation. I think "just get in and anything can happen" is not only Lou's preferred mindset, but also it's a stronger motivator for driving ticket sales than, "We can score some good draft picks and prospects and build for the future."
- UIF

I doubt both will be having monster seasons. Will be close to a miracle if Palms remains healthy again. I think we get more of the same from Nelson. Patrick has more of a future with this team than Lou. I have to think Patrick is going to want more of a re-tool.

I doubt both will be having monster seasons. Will be close to a miracle if Palms remains healthy again. I think we get more of the same from Nelson. Patrick has more of a future with this team than Lou. I have to think Patrick is going to want more of a re-tool.
- ses111

Both hit 30 or more goals and Nelson was a point shy of 70pts. They don't have to put up McDavid-like numbers to be worth 1st rounders+. Nelson should easily get a 1st plus a higher-end prospect, if not a little more. Even more so if the Isles retain money on them. If they take 50% of Nelson's $6M cap hit pretty much any team in the league can fit him in under their cap.

Both hit 30 or more goals and Nelson was a point shy of 70pts. They don't have to put up McDavid-like numbers to be worth 1st rounders+. Nelson should easily get a 1st plus a higher-end prospect, if not a little more.
- eichiefs9

I agree on the worth. Someone has to tell Lou to trade them, or Patrick has to stage a coup.

Part of me hopes that the two of them have monster seasons in a contract year and get traded for a fortune at the deadline
- eichiefs9

This would be the ideal scenario.

Part of me hopes that the two of them have monster seasons in a contract year and get traded for a fortune at the deadline
- eichiefs9

The problem is, if they do have monster seasons the odds of the team being close enough to the playoffs is good and we know what Lou will do then.