Chriscin33
Well-known member
Wait for the action when the draft and free agency happen and heaven forbid they make a big trade!
ISLANDERS
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guinness77
Well-known member
Yeah you guys might get sick of me. I’ve been posting on that POS rumor website, Hockey Buzz, since we drafted Bailey (what did I know? I was pissed we didn’t draft Filatov) but that site has gone down the tubes, there is no Isles blog and the amount of Isles fans has significantly dropped the past few years. I’d rather just stay here if even just a few of you are passionate about the team and the sport.Wait for the action when the draft and free agency happen and heaven forbid they make a big trade!
First off, I like that the GM search is being kept quiet. Lamoriello’s cone of silence is a good thing in this case.
And yes, Lamoriello must be removed from the equation all together, if they plan on going with an experienced guy. But if the Isles go the younger route, having him as a consultant may work. That stuff can be hammered out during contract negotiations.
Also, how much sway does Roy have with the owners? Will he be more involved with the draft?
Plenty of things happening and it is exciting at least.
guinness77
Well-known member
I have seen a scenario where you bring in a young GM like Darche from Tampa and hire agent Pat Brisson to be DOHO. I would love that but from reports I saw, he turned down Kings job (could be because of Kenny Holland, no spring chicken himself). Perhaps we could bring old friend Marc Bergavin back to fill a president role. I want Darche.
It is exciting times, and I really hope Malkin/Ledecky don’t eff it up. This is a big moment for the organization, especially with UBS already taking a loss. All I know is I better not see Chiarelli come in or I’ll lose it.
Chriscin33
Well-known member
Darche has good pedigree being in that system and winning those Cups so I wouldn’t mind his young fresh mind coming in.
guinness77
Well-known member
That organization is the gold standard in the NHL and for all intents, Darche has had a big hand in everything there. I’m all for it. Let’s poach those bastards.
L J S A
Well-known member
My completely uninformed theory is that we are waiting for the Jets' season to end because Cheveldayoff has a burning desire to rebuild the organization that drafted him. (Too many years have passed for him to be annoyed that they never actually called him up from the minors though, right?)
guinness77
Well-known member
Mitch Marner and the Leafs doing Maple Leaf kinda things. Love to see it.
He had 8 shots on goal the entire series, half of them in game 1. I wouldn’t touch this guy with a 10-foot pole for $11-12 million a year.
He had 8 shots on goal the entire series, half of them in game 1. I wouldn’t touch this guy with a 10-foot pole for $11-12 million a year.
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Chriscin33
Well-known member
Something continues to be off in Toronto and they need a roster reset. They have big names who just don’t get it done in the playoffs. Very interesting to see what they do with this roster during the offseason.
They are super top heavy after their top line and occasionally a second line (and even that is questionable now with Tavares slowing down precipitously).
Then there is no defense and crap goalies.
Even with their salary cap in such a mess, they almost have to give Marner what he wants, because they have nothing coming up that can even remotely replace him.
A pox on them and their entire organization.
guinness77
Well-known member
When you divert almost 75% of your team’s salary to 4 players and they do nothing when it matters, that team is never gonna win. Mathews and Marner haven’t done it in those games and Tavares, although he can still put the puck in the net, doesn’t seem to have that clutch gene I thought he had with us.
Toronto never prioritizes defense or goaltending and you can get away with that when you’re winning 6-4 in the regular season. I thought the Carlo trade was a good one for them, but he had an injury and Reilly just isn’t good enough to make the kind of money he does or for a team to depend on him as a top pairing d-man.
Marner is going to Utah or San Jose and Reilly will be traded to a western Canadian team…book it.
guinness77
Well-known member
Toronto can’t run it back with these guys. Marner is not the guy. Nylander and Mathews are both on monster contracts, they have to start prioritizing defense and goalie. Bringing back Marner would further prolong this issue of theirs because they don’t have $12M a year to give to another “soft” forward who doesn’t shoot the puck. I can see them bringing back JT because he’ll probably take a hometown discount, something like 2 years/7 or 8mil because he’ll want to stay and it’ll make sense for them too. He’s already been paid, this is Marner’s best chance to max out a contract and the UFA market is kinda meh this year. Edit: Pionk re-signed with Winnipeg.
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Chriscin33
Well-known member
I know we will have a decent amount of salary cap space after they take care of their own RFAs but not sure about giving Marner that kid of money. There are more viable options they can acquire without getting committed to such a large contract. Good call on Utah making a splash maybe with him. Their owner has a ton of money and is young and brash and wants to make a name for his team.
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guinness77
Well-known member
I know it’s not a highly popular opinion, but unless they draft Schaefer and use Dobson to get Hagens (or Misa), I want them to keep Dobson. I know it wasn’t a good season for him, but defenseman take time and, frankly, they don’t have anyone else who can carry the puck down the ice. Pulock, as much as I used to love the guy, is toast. Hurt too often and too many miles from the ECF runs.
Chriscin33
Well-known member
If they do that, then if they are to finally acquire a high scoring winger, it will have to come from……free agency (outside of Marner)? Trade other assets besides Dobson? We need this GM to get hired to see the path forward here, so many questions/paths that can be taken. But I do hope they play Ritchie as the second or third line center next year, think he is ready.
guinness77
Well-known member
I think we boot this season to be honest. The free agency market is weak. Ekblad is not a great dman and is probably highest ranked one and I think Ehlers is injury-prone and you know my feeling on Marner. We have 2 1sts next year, we have prospects on the cusp (including Isiah George) and a few mainstays already here. I’d say playoffs are gravy, but we go into 26/27 with a legit shot of finishing top 3 in division and a chance for long standing success. The 4 untouchables I mentioned last week will still be top players, and you fill the gaps.
Guys like Pelech, Pulock, Engvall, Duclair and Lee aren’t going anywhere. Guys like Cizikas and Pageau probably aren’t going anywhere. I can see Palmieri taking a discount and staying. I think Deangelo is a goner, plus I’m not sure he can replicate his unexpected season again.
I think you give the young guys some opportunities and roll the dice with next season. If a trade presents itself and it’s worth giving some prime assets up to acquire them, then go for it, but I can’t sit here right now and say who that player is. Like I said, if it’s for Hagens or Misa (after Schaefer) then I’m all for that.
Chriscin33
Well-known member
Interesting take.
I am not sure a new front office will want to boot a season in their first season plus they have to keep that building full so need a product worth coming to see. And they are not bad enough to be really bad and not good enough to really contend as is, hence the story of our mediocrity the past 4 or so years. This offseason can go many ways.
guinness77
Well-known member
I’m willing one more mediocre year if this offseason is done correctly. They cannot mess this DOHO/GM search up.
I am in no rush to trade Dobson by and large, especially for anyone in this draft. It is viewed as a weak draft. There is one, clear top prospect (Shaefer) and then a large gap between the rest of the players.
I would think about moving Dobson for a pick in next year’s draft because it is considered very good and deep. That’s why we are so excited about the Nelson trade.
I would think about moving Dobson for a pick in next year’s draft because it is considered very good and deep. That’s why we are so excited about the Nelson trade.
Chriscin33
Well-known member
I am also not trading Dobson unless it is an absolute no brainer for us (thinking high end skilled forward).