Yeah I’m done with exemplary nice guy wearing the C. That photo with Tavares and 5 other islanders where everyone was drinking BUT Tavares sums it up. Give me the personality who’s gonna lead on and off the ice. If it means moving Horvat or Barzal, do it and go get Brady Tkatchuk.
- kindlyrick

At least with Barzal, he has confidence and a certain edge. I always liked Barzal of players like Nelson.

At least with Barzal, he has confidence and a certain edge. I always liked Barzal of players like Nelson.
- ses111

I think Barzal is worth more in trade than he is on this rebuilding roster.

I think Barzal is worth more in trade than he is on this rebuilding roster.
- kindlyrick

Im sure I’ll get panned here by the usual suspect but I’m not sure what his value is? The kid has hit 80 pts once in the last seven years. The other highest point total in those seven years was 60 pts(of course factoring covid shortened seasons). Coming off a knee injury. His last knee injury was why he dropped so low in the draft and we were able to get him where we did. He’s signed at 9.15 million per till 2031. Not sure the return would be better than him staying here. Certainly not saying he’s untradeable but what would you put his value at?

I agree with most of what you’ve said, minus the UFAs. We will see what a new GM can do to lure a top asset to the island. I think Garth Snow was laughed at, and Lou’s stubbornness regarding his rules, I’m sure carried over in his negotiations…..the proof is in the pudding. Neither could get it done.
Regarding the isles missing that type of leadership, the isles should have traded Lee, Pageau and Palmieri at the deadline. Anders Lee is another Garth Snow guy, who’s just not the captain this team needs. Great guy, great net presence…..not the guy.
If Brady Tkatchuk can be had, you get him to the island.
- kindlyrick

If Brady Tkatchuk can be had, you get him to the island.

100% the type of play that this team needs. Make Ottawa and offer they cannot refuse. Everyone can be had for the right price. If Gretzky can be traded anyone can be traded. Dobson and Barzal would be my starting points.

Im sure I’ll get panned here by the usual suspect but I’m not sure what his value is? The kid has hit 80 pts once in the last seven years. The other highest point total in those seven years was 60 pts(of course factoring covid shortened seasons). Coming off a knee injury. His last knee injury was why he dropped so low in the draft and we were able to get him where we did. He’s signed at 9.15 million per till 2031. Not sure the return would be better than him staying here. Certainly not saying he’s untradeable but what would you put his value at?
- Cptmjl

You're not wrong. He definitely has value but what is his true value. He definitely cannot bring in what is needed on his value alone.

At least with Barzal, he has confidence and a certain edge. I always liked Barzal of players like Nelson.
- ses111

Barzal is not a Captain. An assistant maybe but no Captain.

Im sure I’ll get panned here by the usual suspect but I’m not sure what his value is? The kid has hit 80 pts once in the last seven years. The other highest point total in those seven years was 60 pts(of course factoring covid shortened seasons). Coming off a knee injury. His last knee injury was why he dropped so low in the draft and we were able to get him where we did. He’s signed at 9.15 million per till 2031. Not sure the return would be better than him staying here. Certainly not saying he’s untradeable but what would you put his value at?
- Cptmjl

In fairness to Barzal, who has he played with?? The isles haven’t had a legit first line, so that is reflective in his stats. I’m not a fan of Barzal if I’m being honest…..he’s got too much puck possession IMHO

I remember Bedard saying he’d love to play with Barzal. I would trade Barzal to the hawks for a player, prospect and a first. Similar to the Nelson return, but adding a rostered player.

In fairness to Barzal, who has he played with?? The isles haven’t had a legit first line, so that is reflective in his stats. I’m not a fan of Barzal if I’m being honest…..he’s got too much puck possession IMHO

I remember Bedard saying he’d love to play with Barzal. I would trade Barzal to the hawks for a player, prospect and a first. Similar to the Nelson return, but adding a rostered player.
- kindlyrick

I like Barzal. He’s an exciting player to watch. I do agree there’s more razzle dazzle than substance. He hasn’t had the best wingers also I’ll agree with. He was moved to wing, back to center, back to wing. He played with horvat who is decent. My point is I feel like we always say(probably myself included) well his(any player no Barzal)linemates suck. Then more often than not when those players get traded to teams with better lineups they pretty much hang around the same stat line.

I believe there’s more teams that have your opinion of him, along with the stuff I pointed out, than there’s teams chomping at the bit to get him. I really don’t believe he would get some huge return. Even though I do like him I also agree with you to an extent he’s far from an elite player. I said as much when we signed him to that contract which I of course got attacked for stating. If the Hawks were open to trading for him I’d certainly listen but at that point we’re going into a full tear down. It may be exactly what this team needs but then we’re foregoing Sorokin in his prime more than likely.

I like Barzal. He’s an exciting player to watch. I do agree there’s more razzle dazzle than substance. He hasn’t had the best wingers also I’ll agree with. He was moved to wing, back to center, back to wing. He played with horvat who is decent. My point is I feel like we always say(probably myself included) well his(any player no Barzal)linemates suck. Then more often than not when those players get traded to teams with better lineups they pretty much hang around the same stat line.

I believe there’s more teams that have your opinion of him, along with the stuff I pointed out, than there’s teams chomping at the bit to get him. I really don’t believe he would get some huge return. Even though I do like him I also agree with you to an extent he’s far from an elite player. I said as much when we signed him to that contract which I of course got attacked for stating.
- Cptmjl

He’s an exciting player to watch no doubt and I do believe if he had line mates with his skill set his pts production would be back to 80.
My thought process on trading him is that his return would benefit the team in 5-10 years vs him playing on a rebuilding team now. I guess we will find out soon enough if he stays or goes but I’d venture to say a lot of teams would be in on him if he’s made available. That, in turn, drives up his price.

He’s an exciting player to watch no doubt and I do believe if he had line mates with his skill set his pts production would be back to 80.
My thought process on trading him is that his return would benefit the team in 5-10 years vs him playing on a rebuilding team now. I guess we will find out soon enough if he stays or goes but I’d venture to say a lot of teams would be in on him if he’s made available. That, in turn, drives up his price.
- kindlyrick

Yeah maybe. I don’t see whoever comes in doing a complete tear down. I can see them trying to unload whatever they can(minus our viable players like Barzal, Horvat, Sorokin, Romanov)this draft and next. Adding through FA if possible. Maybe making a trade or two and hope to be competitive in year three. More of a retool. Exactly what we should’ve done a few years. Instead of trading for Horvat, signing Mayfield, signing Engvall, which bought us exactly two embarrassing first round exits.

Of course me theorizing what the next GM will do is based on nothing. We have no idea who it even is. My assumption is based on how much the owners are willing to bleed to ice a competitive team. I have a feeling that whoever has the best, and more importantly quickest, strategy to ice a competitive team will get the longest looks.

Im sure I’ll get panned here by the usual suspect but I’m not sure what his value is? The kid has hit 80 pts once in the last seven years. The other highest point total in those seven years was 60 pts(of course factoring covid shortened seasons). Coming off a knee injury. His last knee injury was why he dropped so low in the draft and we were able to get him where we did. He’s signed at 9.15 million per till 2031. Not sure the return would be better than him staying here. Certainly not saying he’s untradeable but what would you put his value at?
- Cptmjl

Barry's system did not help the point total along with the lack of a 1st line.

Barzal is not a Captain. An assistant maybe but no Captain.
- Nfdbulldawg

I agree. I just meant as a player and in terms of confidence and some edge. We cannot look at Barzal like a 1st overall pick like JT.

Barry's system did not help the point total along with the lack of a 1st line.
- ses111

Yeah sure but it doesn’t really change what kind of player Barzal is. If he’s putting up higher point totals he’s a disaster in every other facet of the game. He’s not the player that can find that happy medium imo. He’s had a couple seasons where his defensive game was much better but his point totals took a hit. Maybe he’ll put it together later in his career. He’s got time.

Yeah sure but it doesn’t really change what kind of player Barzal is. If he’s putting up higher point totals he’s a disaster in every other facet of the game. He’s not the player that can find that happy medium imo. He’s had a couple seasons where his defensive game was much better but his point totals took a hit. Maybe he’ll put it together later in his career. He’s got time.
- Cptmjl

I doubt he will ever be a great defensive player. He's come a long way though. The issue is they have wasted a player like Barzal similar to JT.

In fairness to Barzal, who has he played with?? The isles haven’t had a legit first line, so that is reflective in his stats. I’m not a fan of Barzal if I’m being honest…..he’s got too much puck possession IMHO

I remember Bedard saying he’d love to play with Barzal. I would trade Barzal to the hawks for a player, prospect and a first. Similar to the Nelson return, but adding a rostered player.
- kindlyrick

Good players make players around them play better and elevate their play. That really cannot be said with Barzal. Again, Barzal is a good player. Is he elite? no...Is he a difference maker? no... He is a complementary player! Same can be said about Horvat...

Similar to the Nelson return, but adding a rostered player. Maybe.

Barry's system did not help the point total along with the lack of a 1st line.
- ses111

Barry system was built that the Isles team was. The problem lies as the current coaches think that they can take an old hound and have him win the race. In doing so you sacrifice your defensive structure and place a lot pressure on your goaltender.

Barry system was built that the Isles team was. The problem lies as the current coaches think that they can take an old hound and have him win the race. In doing so you sacrifice your defensive structure and place a lot pressure on your goaltender.
- Nfdbulldawg

I'm perfectly fine if the Islanders move on from Patrick. Same if Barzal needs to be traded. Islanders can play any system they want. They can hire someone that plays a very strict defensive system. The players may get tired of it though. It's not as simple of just hiring a Barry clone and everything will be fine. Just build a team with a legit chance at the Cup and I'll be fine with any coach and system.

I'm perfectly fine if the Islanders move on from Patrick. Same if Barzal needs to be traded. Islanders can play any system they want. They can hire someone that plays a very strict defensive system. The players may get tired of it though. It's not as simple of just hiring a Barry clone and everything will be fine. Just build a team with a legit chance at the Cup and I'll be fine with any coach and system.
- ses111

My last post was not clear; it was meant to safe that Barry's system was built around the current strength of the Islander team in place. Yes, players might have grown bored with it. But they did not have the through breads needed to play and exciting offensive style game. They do not possess players stronger for a solid power player. The power play systems are no different than what teams played in midget and juniors. This team is just not effective in any system. So, you need to get parts that freaking work.

A good coach can adapt a system to the team he has. Bottomline.

Good players make players around them play better and elevate their play. That really cannot be said with Barzal. Again, Barzal is a good player. Is he elite? no...Is he a difference maker? no... He is a complementary player! Same can be said about Horvat...

Similar to the Nelson return, but adding a rostered player. Maybe.
- Nfdbulldawg

If we kept Tavares Barzal would’ve been a great second line center.

Barry system was built that the Isles team was. The problem lies as the current coaches think that they can take an old hound and have him win the race. In doing so you sacrifice your defensive structure and place a lot pressure on your goaltender.
- Nfdbulldawg

This is 100% correct.

I'm perfectly fine if the Islanders move on from Patrick. Same if Barzal needs to be traded. Islanders can play any system they want. They can hire someone that plays a very strict defensive system. The players may get tired of it though. It's not as simple of just hiring a Barry clone and everything will be fine. Just build a team with a legit chance at the Cup and I'll be fine with any coach and system.
- ses111

Sure, the Islanders can play any system they want but if they have the wrong personnel in place you’ll get what we’ve seen the last couple of years.

https://www.dailyfaceoff....trades-penguins-islanders
- Nfdbulldawg

No way I'd trade Barzal. I know he's not always popular in the online discourse, but he has a skill set that's tough to replicate. And 30 by the time the Isles are ready to possibly make another run, as the article states, really ain't that bad.

Sorokin...I was watching Edmonton/LA last night, and even though Edmonton won, I couldn't help but wonder as they gave up some soft goals even after making a goalie change for that game what kind of haul they'd give up to get a goalie like Sorokin.

But, I imagine most Isles fans would take the exact opposite view...no way on trading Sorokin and possibly on trading Barzal.