Lou’s not gonna trade Nelson or his Devil buddy Palmieri for picks. He’s gonna try and sign a UFA or 2 and maybe package someone with that extra second rounder for a player.

It’s a shame that Wahlstrom a former top 5 pick has so little value. It would be nice to be able to trade a top 5 pick for an impact player.
- kindlyrick

You have to take the Cap into account. You cannot just add players. The Islanders have also not been good in making offseason moves in a long while.

You have to take the Cap into account. You cannot just add players. The Islanders have also not been good in making offseason moves in a long while.
- ses111

Yeah I’m thinking they can shed some salary. This years draft will be interesting. Lou has a history of launching the first rounder so we’ll see.

You have to take the Cap into account. You cannot just add players. The Islanders have also not been good in making offseason moves in a long while.
- ses111

Since Neil Smith

Since Neil Smith
- PeteM

True 😆

Since Neil Smith
- PeteM

Neil was always closing.

Even during his very short Islander stint, agents and players respected Neil and he could sell a vision.

Games not over but the rangers come out strong for at least half of the first period and then just collapse. That seems to be the story of this series. Shesterkin is currently the best goalie in the league as far as I’m concerned and is the prime reason this series is close.

Games not over but the rangers come out strong for at least half of the first period and then just collapse. That seems to be the story of this series. Shesterkin is currently the best goalie in the league as far as I’m concerned and is the prime reason this series is close.
- Cptmjl

Yup. I originally thought 5, it went 6.

Games not over but the rangers come out strong for at least half of the first period and then just collapse. That seems to be the story of this series. Shesterkin is currently the best goalie in the league as far as I’m concerned and is the prime reason this series is close.
- Cptmjl

Yup. I originally thought 5, it went 6.

Yup. I originally thought 5, it went 6.
- streaks

I didn’t think the Rangers were even good enough to make it where they did. They made me sweat a bit not going to lie. Shesterkin had an unreal playoffs. Guy is other worldly as far as I’m concerned.

Games not over but the rangers come out strong for at least half of the first period and then just collapse. That seems to be the story of this series. Shesterkin is currently the best goalie in the league as far as I’m concerned and is the prime reason this series is close.
- Cptmjl

I thought Florida was the better team and would win. Igor was outstanding. I had some Islander/Tampa flashbacks during this Ranger series.

I thought Florida was the better team and would win. Igor was outstanding. I had some Islander/Tampa flashbacks during this Ranger series.
- ses111

Haha yeah guess they had some similarities. Though the series with Tampa was a bit tighter imo.

I didn’t think the Rangers were even good enough to make it where they did. They made me sweat a bit not going to lie. Shesterkin had an unreal playoffs. Guy is other worldly as far as I’m concerned.
- Cptmjl

He’s insane, and only reason it went 6 Tim Thomas was 2011 cup winner with bruins, sometimes it happens.

Haha yeah guess they had some similarities. Though the series with Tampa was a bit tighter imo.
- Cptmjl

Very frustrating even though you know the other team is better, the chances were still there to win the series for both the Islanders and Rangers.

In the mix for what though? The Islanders are no threat to the final 4 teams. Just making the playoffs should not be enough.
- ses111

I agree with you, I was responding to Cpt. on his point. Where I think this team will be in the mix, thus not trading off pending free agent contracts with the thought process as they are the Isles rentals without give up pieces for their rental.

However, after watching the way the Panthers have played the last two years. They seem to be a better model of physicality, speed, skill, and depth. They shut the Rangers down.

The Islanders need to figure out who they are building around. Meaning are they building around the aging veterans or a young core.

For one the Isles need to look at Pullock and Pelech. This past season might have been a fluke, then again it may not have been. They have 11.9 million tied up in both of these guys. They played only 70% of the season. They had a combined 35 pts. This not what you want from your top d-paring. Both will be 30 this season.

If Barzal and Horvat are your top line. Then you need to move heaven and earth to get them the legitimate left wing needed to complete the line. They do not have the answer in house.

People say trade Nelson, people who is going to replace his production. Nelson is 32 and due a good bump in pay at the end of this season. Giving Nelson the deal he deserves is NOT in the isles best interest for the long term. Moving him to a contender for a young player and picks is the right move.

Palms value is never going to be higher. Moving him to a contender for picks is in the Isles best interest.

JGP has been a warrior since his arrival. But injury and age have started to show. Moving him for picks and/or prospects is the way to go.

The other thing is that unless the guy your signing is a true difference making. This team should not be signing anyone for more than 3 years. AND no NTC or NMC !!! Franchise players only.

Now what Lou does is anyone's guess. My best guess is that Lou will make a trade at or leading up to the draft. One or two depth signings in FA. So, it will be up to Roy to get blood from a stone.

The Islanders need to figure out who they are building around. Meaning are they building around the aging veterans or a young core.

For one the Isles need to look at Pullock and Pelech. This past season might have been a fluke, then again it may not have been. They have 11.9 million tied up in both of these guys. They played only 70% of the season. They had a combined 35 pts. This not what you want from your top d-paring. Both will be 30 this season.

If Barzal and Horvat are your top line. Then you need to move heaven and earth to get them the legitimate left wing needed to complete the line. They do not have the answer in house.

People say trade Nelson, people who is going to replace his production. Nelson is 32 and due a good bump in pay at the end of this season. Giving Nelson the deal he deserves is NOT in the isles best interest for the long term. Moving him to a contender for a young player and picks is the right move.

Palms value is never going to be higher. Moving him to a contender for picks is in the Isles best interest.

JGP has been a warrior since his arrival. But injury and age have started to show. Moving him for picks and/or prospects is the way to go.

The other thing is that unless the guy your signing is a true difference making. This team should not be signing anyone for more than 3 years. AND no NTC or NMC !!! Franchise players only.

Now what Lou does is anyone's guess. My best guess is that Lou will make a trade at or leading up to the draft. One or two depth signings in FA. So, it will be up to Roy to get blood from a stone.
- Nfdbulldawg

Problem is they aren’t building anything. That ship has sailed.

Problem is they aren’t building anything. That ship has sailed.
- Cptmjl

You do not think that there are players to build around? Do you think this team needs a hard reset? If that is truly the case than sell off everything except Dobson and Romanov. Move everything you can for young players, prospects and picks. Target team with the best prospect pools and say make me an offer.

They need to define what core they are building around. If no core than establish a core. Not making significant changes in this offseason would be a huge mistake.

Things can be done you just need to find the right dance partner.

The Islanders need to figure out who they are building around. Meaning are they building around the aging veterans or a young core.

For one the Isles need to look at Pullock and Pelech. This past season might have been a fluke, then again it may not have been. They have 11.9 million tied up in both of these guys. They played only 70% of the season. They had a combined 35 pts. This not what you want from your top d-paring. Both will be 30 this season.

If Barzal and Horvat are your top line. Then you need to move heaven and earth to get them the legitimate left wing needed to complete the line. They do not have the answer in house.

People say trade Nelson, people who is going to replace his production. Nelson is 32 and due a good bump in pay at the end of this season. Giving Nelson the deal he deserves is NOT in the isles best interest for the long term. Moving him to a contender for a young player and picks is the right move.

Palms value is never going to be higher. Moving him to a contender for picks is in the Isles best interest.

JGP has been a warrior since his arrival. But injury and age have started to show. Moving him for picks and/or prospects is the way to go.

The other thing is that unless the guy your signing is a true difference making. This team should not be signing anyone for more than 3 years. AND no NTC or NMC !!! Franchise players only.

Now what Lou does is anyone's guess. My best guess is that Lou will make a trade at or leading up to the draft. One or two depth signings in FA. So, it will be up to Roy to get blood from a stone.
- Nfdbulldawg

The entire way this roster has been handled has been criminal. It's the same for a lot of teams. Some of the Ranger fans were stating the same thing last night. You cannot give out these 7-year contracts like candy. I could care less if players do not want to move around. They can go get 9-5 jobs. Only the young special type players should be getting 7 years or NTC. These contracts make me ill. If hockey has to lock down for two years to fix it, so be it. Fans want moves and an exciting offseason like other sports.

You do not think that there are players to build around? Do you think this team needs a hard reset? If that is truly the case than sell off everything except Dobson and Romanov. Move everything you can for young players, prospects and picks. Target team with the best prospect pools and say make me an offer.

They need to define what core they are building around. If no core than establish a core. Not making significant changes in this offseason would be a huge mistake.

Things can be done you just need to find the right dance partner.
- Nfdbulldawg

Sure there are players to build around but the only way to build a team especially during the cap era is through the draft. Unless Lou does a 180 and does something outside his norm that ain’t happening. Not sure if build is the right term.

The entire way this roster has been handled has been criminal. It's the same for a lot of teams. Some of the Ranger fans were stating the same thing last night. You cannot give out these 7-year contracts like candy. I could care less if players do not want to move around. They can go get 9-5 jobs. Only the young special type players should be getting 7 years or NTC. These contracts make me ill. If hockey has to lock down for two years to fix it, so be it. Fans want moves and an exciting offseason like other sports.
- ses111

Listen what we need to remember is that the players not robots and they have families. I get that they want security for their families.

Like the ELC restrictions the NHL and NHLPA might want to setup tiers. Within those tiers a player is only eligible for certain dollars and certain terms on length.

Players over 32 are allowed to receive a 1 or 2 year deal at a max of X.

Teams can only give out two max contracts.

The caveat to this is signing bonuses. They don't count against the cap. But each team has a max.

Just thinking outside the box because hockey does not make the revenue like the other three major sports. Without the cap team will fold.

Sure there are players to build around but the only way to build a team especially during the cap era is through the draft. Unless Lou does a 180 and does something outside his norm that ain’t happening. Not sure if build is the right term.
- Cptmjl

So, if the draft is they to accomplish this feat. What should the strongest point of your organization be? Exactly, your pro and amateur scouting. The organization needs to bring in young fresh minds that understand the dynamic of today's NHL. Be it male or female, I do not care. If they can do it hire them. The Redwings were good for so long because they drafted well in late rounds. They found players that could make a difference bc they did not have 1st and 2nd rounders back in the day.

So, when you don't have the cap room, or you cannot bring in that high valued FA, you need to draft well. Something this team has struggled with for years.

Scouting is where I make my first investment. Then Bridgeport. If your AHL is always challenging for the top spot you know you are pretty deep. This team also need a scout at the college level. There are players there that are worth a shot at the AHL level. The trick is convincing those college free agents.

Years ago they use to offer the top three PAL Jr Islander players a spot in training camp. Not sure if they do that anymore. But you need to exhaust every option to build a strong foundation.

Listen what we need to remember is that the players not robots and they have families. I get that they want security for their families.

Like the ELC restrictions the NHL and NHLPA might want to setup tiers. Within those tiers a player is only eligible for certain dollars and certain terms on length.

Players over 32 are allowed to receive a 1 or 2 year deal at a max of X.

Teams can only give out two max contracts.

The caveat to this is signing bonuses. They don't count against the cap. But each team has a max.

Just thinking outside the box because hockey does not make the revenue like the other three major sports. Without the cap team will fold.
- Nfdbulldawg

I get players are not robots, but they have the resources to live anywhere. You get involved in sports; you have to understand you may need to move around.

You simply cannot give every player 7 years and many players NTC or NMC. It's not good for the sport you need to move Heaven and Earth to make moves. Players have to understand hockey is the 4th sport and they have to give a little more.

So, if the draft is they to accomplish this feat. What should the strongest point of your organization be? Exactly, your pro and amateur scouting. The organization needs to bring in young fresh minds that understand the dynamic of today's NHL. Be it male or female, I do not care. If they can do it hire them. The Redwings were good for so long because they drafted well in late rounds. They found players that could make a difference bc they did not have 1st and 2nd rounders back in the day.

So, when you don't have the cap room, or you cannot bring in that high valued FA, you need to draft well. Something this team has struggled with for years.

Scouting is where I make my first investment. Then Bridgeport. If your AHL is always challenging for the top spot you know you are pretty deep. This team also need a scout at the college level. There are players there that are worth a shot at the AHL level. The trick is convincing those college free agents.

Years ago they use to offer the top three PAL Jr Islander players a spot in training camp. Not sure if they do that anymore. But you need to exhaust every option to build a strong foundation.
- Nfdbulldawg

Lou should have fire every single scout when he was hired. He did not make enough changes. He thought team just needed a good coach and everything else was fine. The scouts and the roster have not been good enough for a long while.

Listen what we need to remember is that the players not robots and they have families. I get that they want security for their families.

Like the ELC restrictions the NHL and NHLPA might want to setup tiers. Within those tiers a player is only eligible for certain dollars and certain terms on length.

Players over 32 are allowed to receive a 1 or 2 year deal at a max of X.

Teams can only give out two max contracts.

The caveat to this is signing bonuses. They don't count against the cap. But each team has a max.

Just thinking outside the box because hockey does not make the revenue like the other three major sports. Without the cap team will fold.
- Nfdbulldawg

There's no way the NHLPA goes for any of that.

Wow what a terrible season by the Rags. Lost in the ECF. Fan base has to be so disgusted. Major changes needed to the roster. Is the coach and GM safe?