I'm not really criticizing him because it was obvious he had no other choice after missing on Panarin, but I sure did take a lot of poop for raising some concerns about that signing.

He's on pace for 25g and 47pts. Eberle on pace for about 11g and 42pts. Need more from those two, and fast.
- eichiefs9

I think a lot of us felt that way. Lou had to bring those guys back and Lee is going to be useless by year 4 of that contract. At least with Eberle he can still skate and I still think he can be rather productive in the later years of the deal, even though he needs to get his shat going now! Lee on the other hand skates like he is 35 now I can't imagine what he'll look like in year 3 or 4 never mind years 5 and 6

I'm not really criticizing him because it was obvious he had no other choice after missing on Panarin, but I sure did take a lot of poop for raising some concerns about that signing.

He's on pace for 25g and 47pts. Eberle on pace for about 11g and 42pts. Need more from those two, and fast.
- eichiefs9

You did, and admittedly, a fair bit of it was from me.

Lou’s hands were tied. There wasn’t even an adequate replacement left if FA that he could have signed for similar money.

I guess we should just be grateful that Lee didn’t ask Lou to match what Montreal was offering him.

I'm not really criticizing him because it was obvious he had no other choice after missing on Panarin, but I sure did take a lot of poop for raising some concerns about that signing.

He's on pace for 25g and 47pts. Eberle on pace for about 11g and 42pts. Need more from those two, and fast.
- eichiefs9

I stand by Lee should have gotten no more than 5 years. Both Lee and Eberle need to show a lot more as well as Bailey and Beau.

You did, and admittedly, a fair bit of it was from me.

Lou’s hands were tied. There wasn’t even an adequate replacement left if FA that he could have signed for similar money.

I guess we should just be grateful that Lee didn’t ask Lou to match what Montreal was offering him.
- Wildschwein

Holy Shat a lot of Lou love on here today? Everybody ok? Drunk, Flu with high fever?

Somehow moving Ladd and Boychuk’s contracts is gonna be tricky as (frank). They’re buyout proof more or less, and I doubt Seattle could be convinced to take BOTH of them.
- Wildschwein

Reality is it would be a small miracle to get rid of one (I'll take it) I can see Boychuk staying as a 7 for the last two years of his deal. I just don't see a spot for Ladd and Lou needs to work some magic to make him disappear

Somehow moving Ladd and Boychuk’s contracts is gonna be tricky as (frank). They’re buyout proof more or less, and I doubt Seattle could be convinced to take BOTH of them.
- Wildschwein

Boychuk is a serviceable player, I think there's a chance he could (at some point, not now) be shipped out. He's the least of my concerns. I could see him being attractive as a third pairing guy to an expansion team. I think it's going to be damn-near impossible to move Ladd. Too much term left on that deal and he's going to eat up too much cap space for someone to justify burying him in the bottom six.

Komarov is someone that clears a reasonable amount of cap space and, if the Isles wait until they pay him his $1M bonus this summer, will only cost $3.5M in salary over the final two years of his deal. He seems to have finally fallen, somewhat, out of favor with the coaching staff (when everyone is healthy) this year. Problem is that they likely have to include some sort of asset with him to get someone to take him off our hands. Maybe he can be part of a bigger deal where the Isles include him to balance out the money.

I still wouldn't rule out exploring a Josh Bailey trade this summer. Trading him for futures gives them some ammo to use in a trade. If they got, say, a first round pick for him then all the sudden they a) have some cap space and b) have the assets to do something significant without completely mortgaging the future

I think a lot of us felt that way. Lou had to bring those guys back and Lee is going to be useless by year 4 of that contract. At least with Eberle he can still skate and I still think he can be rather productive in the later years of the deal, even though he needs to get his shat going now! Lee on the other hand skates like he is 35 now I can't imagine what he'll look like in year 3 or 4 never mind years 5 and 6
- Vukota

I disagree.

Ryan Smyth was still a useful player up till the age of 36, and I feel that Lee will follow a similar trajectory.

Worth his contract? Probably not.

Worthless? Certainly not.

Holy Shat a lot of Lou love on here today? Everybody ok? Drunk, Flu with high fever?
- nyisles7

I haven’t a single issue with Lou’s tenure, other than the Komarov contract.

Didn’t like it then, don’t like it now.

To be fair Ses, outside of chucking money at Panarin, none of us know what he’s tried to do.

Lou is a patient man who’s inherited an impatient (not without justification) fan base. I want him to address the lack of offence on the Islanders as well, but I don’t want him to (frank) the future of the organization to do it.

If there was a fair deal to be made, it likely would have been done.
- Wildschwein

Lou did try on Panarin but it’s a results business. I just expected better than Martin and Leo type moves from a 3 time Cup winning GM. I thought Lou and Barry would both be able to attract better FA’s and especially off of last year. Maybe it was not realistic? I just want the Isles to win and J worry this is still no better than a one round win team.

You did, and admittedly, a fair bit of it was from me.

Lou’s hands were tied. There wasn’t even an adequate replacement left if FA that he could have signed for similar money.

I guess we should just be grateful that Lee didn’t ask Lou to match what Montreal was offering him.
- Wildschwein

Yeah the deal wasn't unfair and his hands were certainly tied, but right now it's not looking so hot. Most of that is on Lee, he just flat-out needs to be better. sub-50pt seasons from him in his prime aren't going to get it done. I don't think anyone expects him to be a 75-80pt player, but he's going to have to produce more, unless they are able to bring in someone who can pick up the slack.

Boychuk is a serviceable player, I think there's a chance he could (at some point, not now) be shipped out. He's the least of my concerns. I could see him being attractive as a third pairing guy to an expansion team. I think it's going to be damn-near impossible to move Ladd. Too much term left on that deal and he's going to eat up too much cap space for someone to justify burying him in the bottom six.

Komarov is someone that clears a reasonable amount of cap space and, if the Isles wait until they pay him his $1M bonus this summer, will only cost $3.5M in salary over the final two years of his deal. He seems to have finally fallen, somewhat, out of favor with the coaching staff (when everyone is healthy) this year. Problem is that they likely have to include some sort of asset with him to get someone to take him off our hands. Maybe he can be part of a bigger deal where the Isles include him to balance out the money.

I still wouldn't rule out exploring a Josh Bailey trade this summer. Trading him for futures gives them some ammo to use in a trade. If they got, say, a first round pick for him then all the sudden they a) have some cap space and b) have the assets to do something significant without completely mortgaging the future
- eichiefs9

Moving Bailey is a must. Maybe even Leddy as well this offseason?

Its just that when they win it rainbows and unicorns and when they play a stinker which yesterday was its doom and gloom and Lou doesn't do anything the roster is shat blah blah blah. Even if they lose by 1 goal like the Bruin game where they play well enough to win and should have. They need a little luck like they had when they went on the 17 game streak and they are just not getting the bounces. The are in a funk offensively, 100% which all teams/ players go through. They need to just keep playing their game and hope they get out of it.

There one of the top teams in the league defensively for 2 years after 6 month of Lou and Trotz taking over this Boys club run shat hole and all you hear is how they need offense and this guys shat now and his new contract is terrible, give me a (frank)ing break. Lou forgot more about hockey when he was The head coach at Providence College than any numb nut on here would know in a life time me included.
As you said Lou went hard after Panarin and before that Stone but fell short on both. What else has he tried? No one knows and if you did know and said something you would be fired if you were in The organization so there are no leaks.
He's obviously aware that the team has been solidified defensively and now offensive threats or assets need to be added. I don't and know one else on here know what he has tried and or not tried and who actually is available to go after.

I know its a forum to discuss your team but the same (frank)ing horseshat over and over again while the team is one of the top teams 2 years running and in PO contention, just makes my head (frank)ing hurt. JC where's the tylenol
- nyisles7

I've been vocal about bringing in more offense that doesn't mean I think Lou sucks. You're right he has reshaped this franchise big time and finally has restored some much needed respect around here. He is stuck cleaning up a huge mess that will take more then a year or so to clean, no doubt. They are solid on the back end for the first time in god knows how long. Now he needs to work on the forward production and I'm sure he is trying. Again I don't see talking about their weaknesses as taking a shot at Lou.

Boychuk is a serviceable player, I think there's a chance he could (at some point, not now) be shipped out. He's the least of my concerns. I could see him being attractive as a third pairing guy to an expansion team. I think it's going to be damn-near impossible to move Ladd. Too much term left on that deal and he's going to eat up too much cap space for someone to justify burying him in the bottom six.

Komarov is someone that clears a reasonable amount of cap space and, if the Isles wait until they pay him his $1M bonus this summer, will only cost $3.5M in salary over the final two years of his deal. He seems to have finally fallen, somewhat, out of favor with the coaching staff (when everyone is healthy) this year. Problem is that they likely have to include some sort of asset with him to get someone to take him off our hands. Maybe he can be part of a bigger deal where the Isles include him to balance out the money.

I still wouldn't rule out exploring a Josh Bailey trade this summer. Trading him for futures gives them some ammo to use in a trade. If they got, say, a first round pick for him then all the sudden they a) have some cap space and b) have the assets to do something significant without completely mortgaging the future
- eichiefs9

True, but after seeing what Trotz can do will players like Pelech and Mayfield, I feel like his 6 million could be used better elsewhere.

I agree with the rest of your post.

I disagree.

Ryan Smyth was still a useful player up till the age of 36, and I feel that Lee will follow a similar trajectory.

Worth his contract? Probably not.

Worthless? Certainly not.
- Wildschwein

I hope you're right. I just don't see it. Way too slow. Great along the boards and in front but not much else

Moving Bailey is a must. Maybe even Leddy as well this offseason?
- ses111

I mean they can't clear everyone out for futures. Maybe one or the other, but if I'm picking between the two I'd probably rather see them move Bailey. But, moving forward, Bailey's value is highly unlikely to be higher in the future than it is right now and he has absolutely no trade protection.

I've been vocal about bringing in more offense that doesn't mean I think Lou sucks. You're right he has reshaped this franchise big time and finally has restored some much needed respect around here. He is stuck cleaning up a huge mess that will take more then a year or so to clean, no doubt. They are solid on the back end for the first time in god knows how long. Now he needs to work on the forward production and I'm sure he is trying. Again I don't see talking about their weaknesses as taking a shot at Lou.
- Vukota

We have to either hate the GM Garth or love the GM Lou. Seems no middle ground. Lou did inherit a mess and added to it a bit with the Leo and Hickey deals. Hopefully not with Varly. We can still like Lou and not be happy with some of his moves.

I hope you're right. I just don't see it. Way too slow. Great along the boards and in front but not much else
- Vukota

So was Smyth.

I could be wrong. Wouldn’t be the first time.

Moving Bailey is a must. Maybe even Leddy as well this offseason?
- ses111

Bailey yes not sure I would move Leddy just yet

I mean they can't clear everyone out for futures. Maybe one or the other, but if I'm picking between the two I'd probably rather see them move Bailey. But, moving forward, Bailey's value is highly unlikely to be higher in the future than it is right now and he has absolutely no trade protection.
- eichiefs9

Oilers could certainly use him.

Can’t believe I just typed that...

I mean they can't clear everyone out for futures. Maybe one or the other, but if I'm picking between the two I'd probably rather see them move Bailey. But, moving forward, Bailey's value is highly unlikely to be higher in the future than it is right now and he has absolutely no trade protection.
- eichiefs9

Can they not move Leddy for a forward? I agree Bailey is the one to move if it’s only one.

I haven’t a single issue with Lou’s tenure, other than the Komarov contract.

Didn’t like it then, don’t like it now.
- Wildschwein

I get that.

I think he has done a great job turning tis shat hole around.
Just getting Trotz to the organization was a magic trick. He would have never come here with the clown show that was The Islanders prior to Lou. The only reason he came here was because of Lou at the time.
Lou has totally made this team legitimate from every aspect whether its hockey ops or anything else that falls under his direction, which is every facet. He is all over everything.

Hopefully he can address the needs we have know on the ice and make a run in the PO's.

Just one thought. Could you imagine if JT stayed? I think there would be a pretty different offensive dynamic to this team.

It's just mind blowing to me that Johnston is a better option than Ho-Sang!

So was Smyth.

I could be wrong. Wouldn’t be the first time.
- Wildschwein

Maybe useless was a harsh choice of words. I just don't think he'll be top 6 forward production wise in a couple of seasons

Bailey yes not sure I would move Leddy just yet
- Vukota

Probably unlikely both get moved. Would be worth at least investigating on Leddy. Will depend on how this season goes as well.

Maybe useless was a harsh choice of words. I just don't think he'll be top 6 forward production wise in a couple of seasons
- Vukota

Fair. Very fair.