I like Edmonton a lot but I would also be very happy to see Okposo lift the Cup. Nice to have two teams I don't hate playing in the final this year.
- eichiefs9

It’s quite refreshing.

Part of me wants the Oil to win it, cause Leaf fans will rage over the whole Hyman thing.

But getting to see Okposo win a Cup would also be fitting, especially as he’s almost certainly retiring next year.

https://thehockeywriters....guins-swap-pageau-rakell/

Not sure how this makes sense.

https://thehockeywriters....guins-swap-pageau-rakell/

Not sure how this makes sense.
- Nfdbulldawg

It doesn’t.

A Pageau for O’Connor swap “might” be plausible, but the Isles have no need of Rakell.

https://thehockeywriters....guins-swap-pageau-rakell/

Not sure how this makes sense.
- Nfdbulldawg

It makes absolutely zero sense unless Pittsburgh was adding something of some sort of value. Pageau had similar offensive production to Rakell last season, makes the same amount of money, is a center and much better defensively, and will be off the Islanders books in two seasons. Why they would gamble on a guy who may or may not rediscover his offensive touch, isn't good defensively, and isn't a center is beyond me.

Not to mention, in terms of actual dollars, Pageau is only owed $7.5M over the next two years while Rakell gets $6M next season alone (followed by: $4.8M, $3.6M, $3.6M)

edit: I do see that later in the article that whoever wrote it proposed Drew O'Connor and Rakell for Pageau and some other asset. Still makes no sense for me.

It makes absolutely zero sense unless Pittsburgh was adding something of some sort of value. Pageau had similar offensive production to Rakell last season, makes the same amount of money, is a center and much better defensively, and will be off the Islanders books in two seasons. Why they would gamble on a guy who may or may not rediscover his offensive touch, isn't good defensively, and isn't a center is beyond me.

Not to mention, in terms of actual dollars, Pageau is only owed $7.5M over the next two years while Rakell gets $6M next season alone (followed by: $4.8M, $3.6M, $3.6M)

edit: I do see that later in the article that whoever wrote it proposed Drew O'Connor and Rakell for Pageau and some other asset. Still makes no sense for me.
- eichiefs9

Last thing the Islanders need is to add more bad contracts. Islanders need to get younger, cheaper, and add more skill.

According to every hockey site the Islanders should be acquiring every player in the NHL. I just go by the theory that if we are reading about it, Lou isn't going to do it. Makes things easier.

Last thing the Islanders need is to add more bad contracts. Islanders need to get younger, cheaper, and add more skill.
- ses111

That is exactly it. This team cannot keep taking chances on what might be because it is viewed the grass on the other side might be better. The Isles have done this too many times on draft picks that others have passed over and failed.

According to every hockey site the Islanders should be acquiring every player in the NHL. I just go by the theory that if we are reading about it, Lou isn't going to do it. Makes things easier.
- chazpet

These rumors sound more like my fantasy hockey trades.

Mike G. Morreale reports New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald is willing to part with his first-round pick (10th overall) in this year’s draft for the right price. He said he would listen if the offer helped the Devils now and in the foreseeable future.

What could the isles trade get this pick from Jersey? It is not like Devs and Isles have not traded before.

Forward Berkly Catton is slotted to be taken by Jersey at 10. Or the D-man Carter Yakemchuk by San Jose at 14. That D looks like a stud. If I moved to 10 I would be looking more at this D-man.

That is exactly it. This team cannot keep taking chances on what might be because it is viewed the grass on the other side might be better. The Isles have done this too many times on draft picks that others have passed over and failed.
- Nfdbulldawg

Islanders have to understand they need to go the draft and smart trade route. This team is just not a prime destination for UFA's even if they have the Cap room. Ownership does not need to be hockey experts to tell the current plan is not working. Ownership can also not be happy with only two home playoff games with a new building.

Islanders have to understand they need to go the draft and smart trade route. This team is just not a prime destination for UFA's even if they have the Cap room. Ownership does not need to be hockey experts to tell the current plan is not working. Ownership can also not be happy with only two home playoff games with a new building.
- ses111

you guys could be like us which is way worse apparently 🤷🏻‍♂️

I raise you one doom and gloom lol

you guys could be like us which is way worse apparently 🤷🏻‍♂️

I raise you one doom and gloom lol
- Slimtj100

It's not easy being an Islander fan. The Rangers do not always get it right, but at least they try to make moves and not just run it back. i do not want to hear excuses about the Cap or taxes. The Islanders made a lot of bad signing to put themselves in a bad spot.

Mike G. Morreale reports New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald is willing to part with his first-round pick (10th overall) in this year’s draft for the right price. He said he would listen if the offer helped the Devils now and in the foreseeable future.

What could the isles trade get this pick from Jersey? It is not like Devs and Isles have not traded before.

Forward Berkly Catton is slotted to be taken by Jersey at 10. Or the D-man Carter Yakemchuk by San Jose at 14. That D looks like a stud. If I moved to 10 I would be looking more at this D-man.
- Nfdbulldawg

The only asset that the Islanders have to trade that can be traded and would be worthy of the 10th overall pick (and other assets) would be Noah Dobson. Forgetting the fact that the Islanders almost certainly wouldn't trade him, it's even less likely they'd trade him within the division and I would imagine that the Devils don't want to trade that pick in-division either.

If I had to guess, the Devils would like to move that pick to secure a higher-end goaltender. Likely Markstrom or Ullmark.

you guys could be like us which is way worse apparently 🤷🏻‍♂️

I raise you one doom and gloom lol
- Slimtj100

The doom and gloom is because the loss is still raw and they got close to the final. The Rangers won the President's trophy and will be back to the playoffs and getting elite-level goaltending next year.

It's not that bad. Yes, they have issues that could/should be fixed but Drury hasn't maxed out their cap, so they have some flexibility and unlimited funds.

The doom and gloom is because the loss is still raw and they got close to the final. The Rangers won the President's trophy and will be back to the playoffs and getting elite-level goaltending next year.

It's not that bad. Yes, they have issues that could/should be fixed but Drury hasn't maxed out their cap, so they have some flexibility and unlimited funds.
- eichiefs9

The Rangers losing in the ECF in 2022 does not help losing again in the ECF this year. It's very difficult to get back to this point and especially in a Cap world. The Islanders have not come close since losing the 2nd ECF.

The Rangers are still in much better shape than the Islanders in terms of winning a Cup.

The Rangers losing in the ECF in 2022 does not help losing again in the ECF this year. It's very difficult to get back to this point and especially in a Cap world. The Islanders have not come close since losing the 2nd ECF.

The Rangers are still in much better shape than the Islanders in terms of winning a Cup.
- ses111

There's no doubt nothing is certain. For all we know they could deal with a rash of injuries and miss the playoffs or get bounced in round 1. But they're a good team with a strong mix of solid vets and young guys as well as arguably the top goalie in the league right now. Lafreniere figuring it all out is a massive thing for them too. Plus there's talent in the pipeline and they remain a top tier UFA destination. They will be fine as long as they don't get stupid in free agency and/or start trading off all their futures out of desperation...which doesn't seem to be Drury's MO. Frankly, he should have sacked up and made the trade for Guentzel this year and I'm very glad he didn't.

There's no doubt nothing is certain. For all we know they could deal with a rash of injuries and miss the playoffs or get bounced in round 1. But they're a good team with a strong mix of solid vets and young guys as well as arguably the top goalie in the league right now. Lafreniere figuring it all out is a massive thing for them too. Plus there's talent in the pipeline and they remain a top tier UFA destination. They will be fine as long as they don't get stupid in free agency and/or start trading off all their futures out of desperation...which doesn't seem to be Drury's MO. Frankly, he should have sacked up and made the trade for Guentzel this year and I'm very glad he didn't.
- eichiefs9

This is all true chief. Nothing is 100%, but the Rangers do have the prospect pool and being a prime destination. This is my point about the Islanders doing some sort of re-tool because they do not have the Cap room and are not a prime destination. I also thought Drury should have been more aggressive.

This is all true chief. Nothing is 100%, but the Rangers do have the prospect pool and being a prime destination. This is my point about the Islanders doing some sort of re-tool because they do not have the Cap room and are not a prime destination. I also thought Drury should have been more aggressive.
- ses111

Yep, we're in agreement on the retool. But I'm done beating that drum, it's just going to start becoming repetitive at this point. We'll see what happens over the summer and go from there I guess.

Yep, we're in agreement on the retool. But I'm done beating that drum, it's just going to start becoming repetitive at this point. We'll see what happens over the summer and go from there I guess.
- eichiefs9

Good point chief. Draft is coming up soon, so we do not have long to wait.

Good point chief. Draft is coming up soon, so we do not have long to wait.
- ses111

Whether you like Lou or not, you have to think he attempts to make this team better this offseason. Between the draft and free agency, I think he’s going to improve this team. Maybe I’m just being overly optimistic, but I don’t think he just goes with the same group.

Whether you like Lou or not, you have to think he attempts to make this team better this offseason. Between the draft and free agency, I think he’s going to improve this team. Maybe I’m just being overly optimistic, but I don’t think he just goes with the same group.
- kindlyrick

He's going to have to clear some major space to make that happen. $6.28M in cap space with only 10 forwards and 5 defensemen signed.

He's going to have to clear some major space to make that happen. $6.28M in cap space with only 10 forwards and 5 defensemen signed.
- eichiefs9

This is what a lot of fans do not get. You need the Cap space, and you need quality UFA's to be available and you have to get them to sign with you. You also need valuable pieces to trade.

He's going to have to clear some major space to make that happen. $6.28M in cap space with only 10 forwards and 5 defensemen signed.
- eichiefs9

In fairness to Lou he’s rid the isles of a few bad contracts/players. It could happen.

In fairness to Lou he’s rid the isles of a few bad contracts/players. It could happen.
- kindlyrick

It does not help when more bad contracts are given out.

It does not help when more bad contracts are given out.
- ses111

Yeah the isles like most teams have some questionable contracts. I don’t think that’s a major issue, as one man’s garbage is another man’s gold so to speak. I don’t think Lou wouldn’t be able to shed some salary if need be.