100% he makes the team a lot stronger offensively. I'm just wondering if or what Lou knew before leaving Toronto & what that could have meant for the Islanders.

Very strange situation, I don't think the Leafs told him anything which would have been a huge decision on their part.
- Aussiepenguin

Leafs wanted him bad, Lou knew that it was in the plans to sign him for sure. Shanny also knew well in advance that Lou would not be the GM after the 3 year term. He respected him enough to keep things above board - I believe it was mutual. Lou did ok at the draft, has a good coach, Barzal, but NYI are a work in progress. Garth Snow was awful, and it will take time to repair the damage he did. In the end, it wasn't enough to keep JT.

I live there as well.
My kids were excited when i told them.
- Fakepartofme

Tavares was 13 years old - my lord.

Leafs wanted him bad, Lou knew that it was in the plans to sign him for sure. Shanny also knew well in advance that Lou would not be the GM after the 3 year term. He respected him enough to keep things above board - I believe it was mutual. Lou did ok at the draft, has a good coach, Barzal, but NYI are a work in progress. Garth Snow was awful, and it will take time to repair the damage he did. In the end, it wasn't enough to keep JT.
- winsix

The Islanders can thank Garth for Barzal & Bellrive. Plus this years draft was also thanks to Garth. He wasn't all bad, just could/wouldn't back up good moves with better ones.

I still don't no think Lou had any knowledge of the '4 month plan'.

Tavares was 13 years old - my lord.
- Woderwick

Pretty cool

Tavares was 13 years old - my lord.
- Woderwick

Yeah that's wild. No wonder he was lighting the OHL up as a 15/16 year old...

Leafs should go for "it" this season

Gardiner, zietsev, kapanen and a 1st

For

Pesce, faulk and skinner

Skinner-Tavares-marner
Hyman-matthews-nylander
Marleau-kadri-brown
Johnson-lindholm-leivo

Rielly-pesce
hainsey-Faulk
Dermot-carwreck/ozy/holl

The Islanders can thank Garth for Barzal & Bellrive. Plus this years draft was also thanks to Garth. He wasn't all bad, just could/wouldn't back up good moves with better ones.

I still don't no think Lou had any knowledge of the '4 month plan'.
- Aussiepenguin

The Islanders will be fine in the future. They have a lot of good young pieces and one heck of a 4th line with Matt Martin and Leo Komarov.

The Islanders will be fine in the future. They have a lot of good young pieces and one heck of a 4th line with Matt Martin and Leo Komarov.
- PatC80

R

To think what might have been for the Leaves this season?? There's a missed opportunity right there.

Leafs should go for "it" this season

Gardiner, zietsev, kapanen and a 1st

For

Pesce, faulk and skinner

Skinner-Tavares-marner
Hyman-matthews-nylander
Marleau-kadri-brown
Johnson-lindholm-leivo

Rielly-pesce
hainsey-Faulk
Dermot-carwreck/ozy/holl
- BrainSap

Why would Carolina do that?

They just assembled a fantastic d-core, why dismantle it like that for a UFA, a guy coming off a bad year on a long contract, and a younger, but downgraded forward? I don't think the difference there is worth a 1st for them.

The Islanders can thank Garth for Barzal & Bellrive. Plus this years draft was also thanks to Garth. He wasn't all bad, just could/wouldn't back up good moves with better ones.

I still don't no think Lou had any knowledge of the '4 month plan'.
- Aussiepenguin

To be honest, Wang was the biggest issue for the Islanders. A meddling owner that was successful in business, but a lousy owner of a hockey franchise. He was also the idiot that signed Snow. That having been said, IMO, Garth was absolutely brutal. He had no business being a GM, no experience, no qualifications. Graduated from being an average backup goalie to being a GM. That he got Barzal and Bellrive - was good - perhaps lucky, but give credit. Also, the Eberle deal was excellent, but then you have to consider he took advantage of Chiarelli, who is not the most competent GM.

What really sticks out about the Islanders are all the horrible contracts that they currently have. In a cap world, nothing is worse than a bunch of garbage contracts.

Ladd 32 years old, $5.5m for 5 more years (had 12 goals last year)
Bailey 28 years old $5 m for 6 more years (has averaged 13-14 goals over last 5 yrs - despite playing with Tavares most of the time)
Clutterbuck 30 years old, $3.5 m for 4 more years, for a 4th line goon with zero skill
Cizikas 27 year old $3.35 for 3 more years for a 4th line centre
Boychuk 34 year old $6 m for 4 more years for a #4 at best d-man that is slow
Leddy 27 year old $5.5m for 4 more years for another average at best d-man
Greiss 32 year old $3.33m for two more years for a journeyman goalie

But the cherry on top was he signed Diepietro to a lifetime contract. Consensus worst contract in NHL history.

You still think Garth is ok?

R

To think what might have been for the Leaves this season?? There's a missed opportunity right there.
- Aussiepenguin

Those two moves alone tell me that Dubas was the right choice.

Leafs should go for "it" this season

Gardiner, zietsev, kapanen and a 1st

For

Pesce, faulk and skinner

Skinner-Tavares-marner
Hyman-matthews-nylander
Marleau-kadri-brown
Johnson-lindholm-leivo

Rielly-pesce
hainsey-Faulk
Dermot-carwreck/ozy/holl
- BrainSap

I doubt that happens..

If Carolina moves on from Skinner.. Leafs should target him, but thinking Pesce and Skinner for Gardiner, Rasanen, Leivo, Jeremy Bracco and a 2019 1st rd pick.

The Islanders will be fine in the future. They have a lot of good young pieces and one heck of a 4th line with Matt Martin and Leo Komarov.
- PatC80

Martin - Komarov - Clutterbuck

Those two moves alone tell me that Dubas was the right choice.
- Archaic

Dubas = good

Lou = old and senile?

Dubas = good

Lou = old and good and inherited a mess?
- PatC80

Fixed

Dubas = good

Lou = old and senile?
- PatC80

Lou looking at his team and trying to shore up shot suppression and PK methinks. I don't think he expects to win a whole lot but get the team into a groove whereby they're not giving up the most shots in the league to the skull krusher.

Martin - Komarov - Clutterbuck


- plantheparade

I'm fairly certain this line will spend most of their time in the defensive zone, chasing the puck.. So...

Dubas = good

Lou = old and senile?
- PatC80

Maybe not old and senile, hes still good, but those two moves are head scratchers. Komagod on that term is a lot considering how he has declined. Martin makes sense to me for a lot of reasons.

I just dont see why they would take up cap space for those guys with where they are going to be at this year. Maybe hes going for something big, i dunno

Lou looking at his team and trying to shore up shot suppression and PK methinks. I don't think he expects to win a whole lot but get the team into a groove whereby they're not giving up the most shots in the league to the skull krusher.
- TheMussel

Blasphemy!!
I've heard someone mention that Robin Lehner is just as good as Frederik Andersen. Also, that Thomas Greiss is almost as good as Andersen.. The Isles goaltending is gonna be something. (just not sure if that something is good or bad)

To be honest, Wang was the biggest issue for the Islanders. A meddling owner that was successful in business, but a lousy owner of a hockey franchise. He was also the idiot that signed Snow. That having been said, IMO, Garth was absolutely brutal. He had no business being a GM, no experience, no qualifications. Graduated from being an average backup goalie to being a GM. That he got Barzal and Bellrive - was good - perhaps lucky, but give credit. Also, the Eberle deal was excellent, but then you have to consider he took advantage of Chiarelli, who is not the most competent GM.

What really sticks out about the Islanders are all the horrible contracts that they currently have. In a cap world, nothing is worse than a bunch of garbage contracts.

Ladd 32 years old, $5.5m for 5 more years (had 12 goals last year)
Bailey 28 years old $5 m for 6 more years (has averaged 13-14 goals over last 5 yrs - despite playing with Tavares most of the time)
Clutterbuck 30 years old, $3.5 m for 4 more years, for a 4th line goon with zero skill
Cizikas 27 year old $3.35 for 3 more years for a 4th line centre
Boychuk 34 year old $6 m for 4 more years for a #4 at best d-man that is slow
Leddy 27 year old $5.5m for 4 more years for another average at best d-man
Greiss 32 year old $3.33m for two more years for a journeyman goalie

But the cherry on top was he signed Diepietro to a lifetime contract. Consensus worst contract in NHL history.

You still think Garth is ok?
- winsix

I said wasn't all bad.

As I said, he made some really good moves but then wouldn't make more moves to really give them a chance. Getting Boychuk & leddy when he did was a very good move. He seemed to be able to take advantage of good situations but had no idea what's to do next. Coaching was also probably a yuuge failure for him as well.

In reality, I can't see Lou doing much better either.

I said wasn't all bad.

As I said, he made some really good moves but then wouldn't make more moves to really give them a chance. Getting Boychuk & leddy when he did was a very good move. He seemed to be able to take advantage of good situations but had no idea what's to do next. Coaching was also probably a yuuge failure for him as well.

In reality, I can't see Lou doing much better either.
- Aussiepenguin

Lou will mentor his son and the Isles will turn into an organization run by la famiglia

I said wasn't all bad.

As I said, he made some really good moves but then wouldn't make more moves to really give them a chance. Getting Boychuk & leddy when he did was a very good move. He seemed to be able to take advantage of good situations but had no idea what's to do next. Coaching was also probably a yuuge failure for him as well.

In reality, I can't see Lou doing much better either.
- Aussiepenguin

Lou has always done better, and will continue to do so. They will be a mostly goon team, until some of the contracts are gone, they get a goalie and younger. Won't be fun to play against them this year. Best hope is to get a 6 goal lead, and throw out your 4th line for extra shifts.

Maybe not old and senile, hes still good, but those two moves are head scratchers. Komagod on that term is a lot considering how he has declined. Martin makes sense to me for a lot of reasons.

I just dont see why they would take up cap space for those guys with where they are going to be at this year. Maybe hes going for something big, i dunno
- Archaic

Komarov hasn't declined (a lot).
Still got 16mins ATOI last season from Babcock.
Leafs simply couldn't afford Komarov and Martin on contracts longer than1 years.
That's why they are not on this team.

On the Reddit NHL page there is a proposal of Gardiner for Myers.

Both are UFA's after this season.

Thoughts from Jets and Leafs fans??

Komarov hasn't declined (a lot).
Still got 16mins ATOI last season from Babcock.
Leafs simply couldn't afford Komarov and Martin on contracts longer than1 years.
That's why they are not on this team.
- plantheparade

On the latest HB "hotstove" there is pretty good evidence to the contrary