Ben Shelley: Reviewing the season (so far): Derick Brassard

So far Ben? Man I need to be more optimistic.

So far Ben? Man I need to be more optimistic.
- Hardbalz

Just trying my best to stay hopeful!

Thanks for doing these Ben. Having some hockey to read has been a welcome distraction.

Brassard was a solid sign.. started off pretty hot and has certainly cooled off a bit. I remember fans of other teams saying it was a terrible sign and he was done at the time. From my perspective they signed him for 1 year in a "show me" type sign. Kinda like they did with Val last year (which I believe u brought up at the time). Brassard is certainly not a 1C or 2C like he was on past teams, but as a 1 mill for 1 year fill in guy while we waited for another trade, sign, or young guy to earn a spot... I like the move.

my guess is .. like Val this will be his only year on the Isles.

(I would like him a lot more if he didn't take that very soft, very stupid penalty vs. the Rangers with a minute left in a tie game).

Thanks for doing these Ben. Having some hockey to read has been a welcome distraction.

Brassard was a solid sign.. started off pretty hot and has certainly cooled off a bit. I remember fans of other teams saying it was a terrible sign and he was done at the time. From my perspective they signed him for 1 year in a "show me" type sign. Kinda like they did with Val last year (which I believe u brought up at the time). Brassard is certainly not a 1C or 2C like he was on past teams, but as a 1 mill for 1 year fill in guy while we waited for another trade, sign, or young guy to earn a spot... I like the move.

my guess is .. like Val this will be his only year on the Isles.

(I would like him a lot more if he didn't take that very soft, very stupid penalty vs. the Rangers with a minute left in a tie game).
- niteislander

I thought Val was a much better 2-way player. Brassard never really worked out as a 3C. As a 2nd line winger, he was pretty good for a while, but once he stopped scoring, he wasn't much help. For long stretches he was either invisible or visible for the wrong reasons. I agree with you that he, like Val, will probably be only one year on the Isles but not because another team will sign him away. I doubt there will be much of a market for him next season.

I thought Val was a much better 2-way player. Brassard never really worked out as a 3C. As a 2nd line winger, he was pretty good for a while, but once he stopped scoring, he wasn't much help. For long stretches he was either invisible or visible for the wrong reasons. I agree with you that he, like Val, will probably be only one year on the Isles but not because another team will sign him away. I doubt there will be much of a market for him next season.
- JohnScammo

I for one shall not miss him.

I've (intentionally) disconnected quite a bit with the suspension of the season, so if it's been mentioned I'll apologize....but Staple is saying he seems to think there may be one, or even two, amnesty buyouts so teams can stay cap compliant since the cap isn't likely to rise at all now, given the revenue that's being lost.

That would be very, very fortuitous for the Isles.

I've (intentionally) disconnected quite a bit with the suspension of the season, so if it's been mentioned I'll apologize....but Staple is saying he seems to think there may be one, or even two, amnesty buyouts so teams can stay cap compliant since the cap isn't likely to rise at all now, given the revenue that's being lost.

That would be very, very fortuitous for the Isles.
- eichiefs9

I hadn’t heard that yet, but I accept your apology regardless.

So one obvious buyout is Ladd. If a second was also given, who would you choose? Komarov? Hickey? Boychuk?

I hadn’t heard that yet, but I accept your apology regardless.

So one obvious buyout is Ladd. If a second was also given, who would you choose? Komarov? Hickey? Boychuk?
- Wildschwein

I asked who, if anyone, he thought could be an unexpected departure (as in not a pending UFA).

His answer was this:

I have to believe there will be 1-2 amnesty buyouts per team once the rules are set for 2020-21. It will be difficult to even maintain the current $81.5 million cap for next year given all the revenue shortfalls and there are teams already close to that number for next season, the Islanders included.

I think that puts players like Boychuk and Ladd in the picture. Leddy could be moved, but if the Islanders were able to buy out Boychuk's remaining two years and Ladd's remaining three years, they might not need to trade Leddy. Moving him is only to free up cap space and try to bring back some scoring help, though I don't see many teams looking to do much more than find a cap-compliant, competent roster for next season. The aggressive wheeling and dealing feels a long way off once sports gets back underway.

Take it for what you will ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

edit: To answer your question....I'd probably say Boychuk because he makes the most money. From an on-ice standpoint, I'd prefer Komarov...but freeing up $6M a year would go a long way towards being able to potentially add someone like, say, Hoffman. The could just do a "regular" buyout on Komarov too, if they really wanted.

I asked who, if anyone, he thought could be an unexpected departure (as in not a pending UFA).

His answer was this:

I have to believe there will be 1-2 amnesty buyouts per team once the rules are set for 2020-21. It will be difficult to even maintain the current $81.5 million cap for next year given all the revenue shortfalls and there are teams already close to that number for next season, the Islanders included.

I think that puts players like Boychuk and Ladd in the picture. Leddy could be moved, but if the Islanders were able to buy out Boychuk's remaining two years and Ladd's remaining three years, they might not need to trade Leddy. Moving him is only to free up cap space and try to bring back some scoring help, though I don't see many teams looking to do much more than find a cap-compliant, competent roster for next season. The aggressive wheeling and dealing feels a long way off once sports gets back underway.

Take it for what you will ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
- eichiefs9

Should such come to pass, I can’t help but feel that this benefits the Islanders greatly. Particularly if Sorokin does come over.

So hypothetically, the Islanders roster next year could look something like:

Lee-Barzal-Eberle
Beauvillier-Nelson-?
Bellows-Pageau-Bailey
MDC-Cizikas-Clutterbuck

Pelech-Pulock
Leddy-Mayfield
Dobson-Toews

Sorokin
Varlamov

Are there any decent UFA RWs this year? What’s more, how much coin would be left over to nab one?

Should such come to pass, I can’t help but feel that this benefits the Islanders greatly. Particularly if Sorokin does come over.

So hypothetically, the Islanders roster next year could look something like:

Lee-Barzal-Eberle
Beauvillier-Nelson-?
Bellows-Pageau-Bailey
MDC-Cizikas-Clutterbuck

Pelech-Pulock
Leddy-Mayfield
Dobson-Toews

Sorokin
Varlamov

Are there any decent UFA RWs this year? What’s more, how much coin would be left over to nab one?
- Wildschwein

I did throw an edit in there, to answer your question. As far as UFA forwards go...here's your list: www.capfriendly.com/brows...1/caphit/all/forwards/ufa

I asked who, if anyone, he thought could be an unexpected departure (as in not a pending UFA).

His answer was this:

I have to believe there will be 1-2 amnesty buyouts per team once the rules are set for 2020-21. It will be difficult to even maintain the current $81.5 million cap for next year given all the revenue shortfalls and there are teams already close to that number for next season, the Islanders included.

I think that puts players like Boychuk and Ladd in the picture. Leddy could be moved, but if the Islanders were able to buy out Boychuk's remaining two years and Ladd's remaining three years, they might not need to trade Leddy. Moving him is only to free up cap space and try to bring back some scoring help, though I don't see many teams looking to do much more than find a cap-compliant, competent roster for next season. The aggressive wheeling and dealing feels a long way off once sports gets back underway.

Take it for what you will ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

edit: To answer your question....I'd probably say Boychuk because he makes the most money. From an on-ice standpoint, I'd prefer Komarov...but freeing up $6M a year would go a long way towards being able to potentially add someone like, say, Hoffman. The could just do a "regular" buyout on Komarov too, if they really wanted.
- eichiefs9

I concur.

And I’ll second the Hoffman suggestion. I wonder if he and Pageau are still friendly? That situation in Ottawa might have left some animosity.

I did throw an edit in there, to answer your question. As far as UFA forwards go...here's your list: www.capfriendly.com/brows...1/caphit/all/forwards/ufa
- eichiefs9

Granlund, Hoffman and Toffoli interest me. Perhaps Smith too.

Don’t know if I’d wanna pay any if them big money though. Maybe Hoffman. His style of play should lend itself to longevity.

I concur.

And I’ll second the Hoffman suggestion. I wonder if he an Pageau are still friendly? That situation in Ottawa might have left some animosity.
- Wildschwein

Yeah, I dunno. I have mixed feelings on Hoffman. Great player, but at 30 I'm not loving the idea of giving him 4-5 years. Toffoli will be out there as well, assuming VAN doesn't re-sign him. He's a year younger. Granlund would be an interesting option and probably cheaper than those two. Outside of those guys (and Taylor Hall), there's not a whole lot out there. Maybe Evgeni Dadonov? But he's 31 already.

Craig Smith would be an interesting bottom-six pickup if they needed him. I imagine he'd prefer to stay in NSH where he's spent his entire career.

Yeah, I dunno. I have mixed feelings on Hoffman. Great player, but at 30 I'm not loving the idea of giving him 4-5 years. Toffoli will be out there as well, assuming VAN doesn't re-sign him. He's a year younger. Granlund would be an interesting option and probably cheaper than those two. Outside of those guys (and Taylor Hall), there's not a whole lot out there. Maybe Evgeni Dadonov? But he's 31 already.

Craig Smith would be an interesting bottom-six pickup if they needed him. I imagine he'd prefer to stay in NSH where he's spent his entire career.
- eichiefs9

Likely so. Though Trotz and Smith do have a history.

If those buyouts become available, one has to think Vancouver dumps Eriksson and maybe Sutter. That'd give them enough to room for Toffloi and Markstrom.

Dadonov is too old as is. And I doubt he'd produce as well with Nelson as he does with Barkov.

Pretty much leaves Hoffman and Granlund. Slim (frank)ing pickings.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/p...der-coronavirus-1.5510853

Seems kinda odd, no? I'd of thought people sneaking North (especially out East) might be more of an issue.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-trump-border-coronavirus-1.5510853

Seems kinda odd, no? I'd of thought people sneaking North (especially out East) might be more of an issue.
- Wildschwein

Yup, it does. Probably more about appearances; i.e., look what we're doing to protect you from Coronavirus!

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-trump-border-coronavirus-1.5510853

Seems kinda odd, no? I'd of thought people sneaking North (especially out East) might be more of an issue.
- Wildschwein

Pretty sure this means we're invading you. Sorry, dude

Yup, it does. Probably more about appearances; i.e., look what we're doing to protect you from Coronavirus!
- JohnScammo

Better to appear busy than not. Makes sense.

Thanks for doing these Ben. Having some hockey to read has been a welcome distraction.

Brassard was a solid sign.. started off pretty hot and has certainly cooled off a bit. I remember fans of other teams saying it was a terrible sign and he was done at the time. From my perspective they signed him for 1 year in a "show me" type sign. Kinda like they did with Val last year (which I believe u brought up at the time). Brassard is certainly not a 1C or 2C like he was on past teams, but as a 1 mill for 1 year fill in guy while we waited for another trade, sign, or young guy to earn a spot... I like the move.

my guess is .. like Val this will be his only year on the Isles.

(I would like him a lot more if he didn't take that very soft, very stupid penalty vs. the Rangers with a minute left in a tie game).
- niteislander

Thanks for reading, I appreciate it!

I wouldn't mind him being brought back to play on the wing but I think that probably only becomes an option if he'll take a similar contract.

Pretty sure this means we're invading you. Sorry, dude
- UIF

Pfft. Your soldiers will never get past northern Alberta's state of the art defensive fortifications.

Thanks for reading, I appreciate it!

I wouldn't mind him being brought back to play on the wing but I think that probably only becomes an option if he'll take a similar contract.
- Ben Shelley

Surely better options must be available for a similar price?

I thought Val was a much better 2-way player. Brassard never really worked out as a 3C. As a 2nd line winger, he was pretty good for a while, but once he stopped scoring, he wasn't much help. For long stretches he was either invisible or visible for the wrong reasons. I agree with you that he, like Val, will probably be only one year on the Isles but not because another team will sign him away. I doubt there will be much of a market for him next season.
- JohnScammo

Filppula certainly worked better as a center IMO but considering the lack of depth on the wing, Brassard may be able to give a bit of cheap depth again next year.

Surely better options must be available for a similar price?
- Wildschwein

Honestly, I haven't looked into depth UFAs for this free agency class yet. Getting 40 points (pace) for $1.2M is pretty great value though and I'm not sure who else would provide similar production for that price. Could be a few players for sure but I don't think the number would be that high.

Honestly, I haven't looked into depth UFAs for this free agency class yet. Getting 40 points (pace) for $1.2M is pretty great value though and I'm not sure who else would provide similar production for that price. Could be a few players for sure but I don't think the number would be that high.
- Ben Shelley

Tyler Ennis is the only comparable I could find, but me thinks the Oilers are going to extend him.

So yes, you are likely correct.