kloubek

I did figure he might go the Leafs, but truly thought we'd get a 2nd, given the way the top Eastern teams are adding and the necessity to improve. Sad to see him go. If he doesn't already have an handshake agreement to come back next year, I would say the 3rd isn't worth it. He's the only defenceman we have not named Hughes who makes a real difference out there.

Honestly, I haven't watched these prospects closely and can only go by the updates I receive from time to time about their progress. OP, one thing I will say for sure is that I think Re-Petey has to be vying for the top 5. He's done very well so far. I would also not likely have Woo in the top 10. You're right though - we don't have any true high-end prospects, which kinda sucks. I imagine after this year's draft that will change...

I can't say I know anything about Bloom, but by all accounts he's a quick skater and plays somewhat as a power forward - though his ceiling is entirely up for debate. But even if he serves as AHL depth, this was still worth it. Besides a solid hit every once in a while, Stillman was simply not very good. He only cost us 1.3 (1.4?) million in cap, but that's certainly cap space better spent elsewhere. Good trade.

Good luck with that. Unlike some of our players who still have value, OEL is clearly in "negative value" territory. I'd say the time to move him is in 2-3 years. Why? Glad you asked. First, that's 2-3 more years off his term. An acquiring team would find that a lot more palatable than four years. Second, he hasn't had a good season. If he at least got back to where he was last year, he makes his contract look not QUITE as bad and hence it is easier to move. Third, while we have been up against the cap forever, this is a rare time where we might not be too concerned about it, as we're not going to be particularly competitive anyway. Given how much we know it would cost to move OEL (likely in draft picks) I think we are better off just waiting it out for now. By the time his term is close to reaching it's end, we should have a better idea of whether it is worthwhile just to play it out, or move him for the reduced cost.

I guess it really depends on how long management and ownership believe it will take to be competitive. Clearly, Miller's best years will be right now, and as Jyu mentioned, if we aren't vying for the cup in 3 to 4 years, his contract is essentially wasted and then becomes a liability. This, combined with the clause coming into effect next year, leads me to believe that the time to trade Miller is now - if there are any takers and the return is reasonable. It isn't that he's not a good player; I think he has surpassed everyone's expectations when we first made the trade. It's just about asset management, and if we could get a young player or especially a high draft pick, that would sure look nice in a deep draft alongside the other picks we have. (And perhaps the ability to combine some for a higher pick).

Contrary to the stereotype, I think our Russian players are some of the hardest working on the team. Given the language and cultural affinity with such players, I can't help but think this was a perfect reclamation project to take on. I liked Lockwood, but we needed more from him than just flying around with some hits. All players in your lineup need to have reasonably high skill, so it looks like a low risk high reward gamble to me.

Players will not *always* play to their contract. They'll have down times. You tout Petey as playing "so much better", but your memory appears short, considering how truly awful he played for an extended stretch to start last year. Ultimately, you pay for the average - and hope there is relative consistency. Maybe you hit a home-run with a guy who's clutch every night, and maybe your player falls off a cliff like Eriksson and forgets how to play the game. The GM's job is to mitigate the latter as much as possible, but nobody is infallible. I also think that sometimes we forget that these are human beings. They hurt - both physically and mentally. They may have depression, or lose all sense of self-confidence and their ability to play to the expectations. They have issues with their children, and their wives. They have deaths in their family like you and I. Now, with all this said, they are bound by legal contract and bound by the morality of being paid millions to perform to the best of their abilities. But maybe - just maybe - they're people too.

The percieved value of Boeser in general by many fans is that he holds negative value. They act like his contract is so massive we need to pay dearly to move him. Obviously, he's not really playing to his salary - but he's still getting points, and I think we've seen enough from Boeser in the past to assume he will probably get back to form at some point. I agree with you: If we were to retain 1m, he's pretty average value for his production, plus he has upside. I PERSONALLY feel like he's worth those 2 picks without any retention at all. The fact he's still with us indicates I'm probably wrong.

I see what you did there. No doubt that LE was the worse contract signing. He was a decent contributor for years, and was just coming off a career (contract) year with Boston. He was reunited with the twins, with whom he had proven chemistry. Personally, I think he realized that when ink hit paper, that was his last big contract and it didn't really matter (to him) how much effort he put into the game. So he just decided to forget how to play hockey. Myers, on the other hand, was brought in for his size. He's never really been better than average in any other metric other than blocking shots - which he's still good at... even if he does tend to screen the goalie some of the time. While he's hasn't been very good for a while,he hasn't been nearly as disappointing as LE because he was simply never that talented in the first place. He's still a servicible player. LE was straight-up trash.

That's always been frustrating to me with Myers. When he leans on players against the boards, it's obvious he has strength in that big frame. Yet, he rarely lays out the hits. Now, if he was choosing not to hit in favour of making consistently solid defensive plays, then that would be more understandable. But he's typically a defensive mess. If he was choosing not to hit in favour of pinching in and scoring goals, then that would be more understandable. But the dude is on pace for 15 points on the season. It isn't that Myers is truly awful. And by all accounts, he's well liked in the room. It's just that 6m for an average defenseman is about 4-4.5m too much.

I like this too - although it doesn't solve our RD issues. With Hughes likely going nowhere and OEL not likely to be able to be traded, there is only the one remaining spot - though we haven't put anyone there who has been convincing to hold down the position. Stillman can just sit on the bench for what I care...

I thought something along these lines as well. There's still a cap discrepancy that needs to be addressed for Pittsburgh, so they'd probably want us to retain. I'd really rather we didn't, but it's do-able. Boeser (20% retained) Rathbone Kapenen Blueger 1st round pick They get a far more effective winger at a discounted rate, and a LD who I believe still has decent NHL potential. It's a risk for them in light of Boeser's poor year, but he DOES still have .75ppg which is actually pretty reasonable, and certainly in 1st line territory. And if he regains form... well... it's a great deal for them. They also get Rathbone who our management refuses to provide NHL experience. I'm not sure what their LD looks like, but perhaps a fresh start is in order at any rate. We get two players who aren't playing to their contracts. Kapenen has skill, and is still a good fill-in for another year, when we can decide to let him walk or re-sign him for less if he would accept it. (He's still a decent 3rd liner imo, and brings speed. Who knows- 3rd time lucky?) Blueger is an intriguing player who has regressed and isn't worth the paycheque. But he's a UFA, and this is simply a cap dump for them to get Boeser. Essentially, we really do this for that 1st round pick. It's only the 18th at this point, but would look great in a deep draft, alongside the other picks we have.

It's a very small sample size. But Beau has shown to be clutch before - especially when there is something on the line. (Which his next contract most likely is). He said he feels it's a great opportunity for him to reinvent himself with a fresh start. (Or something to that effect). So far, it certainly looks like he's making the most of it. (Doesn't hurt that Petey makes his linemates better, and they've seem to have found chemistry). Ultimately, I'm pretty sure Bo is the better player. BUT, we got out of that long and expensive contract while acquiring a solid prospect and a mid-level 1st pick. Even if Bo continues his torrid pace from when he was with our team, what happens with the extras we received may end up making this trade well in our favour. The Islander fans must be beside themselves right now... gonna head over now to read the fun.

Seems like a prudent move, given the uncertainty of when Demko will return, or if he's even capable of playing solid minutes without reinjuring himself. No harm in another goalie in the system for backup purposes.

Good acquisition. Especially if he can elevate his game in the playoffs like he normally does. The 1st will be late, so they didn't give up AS much as it first looks, but still... All-In Dubas.

I understand getting a big defenseman like Zadorov. Though he does only have 1 year left after this, so he'd have to be re-upped. He also plays the left, which is where we need less assistance. Clearly, getting a pick is useful as well. But as much as I'd like Zadorov, he still doesn't fill our RH needs. And while few teams can fit Boeser into their cap situations, I feel he is a true 1st line winger who needs to (and will) find his game again. He's more an asset than a liability in the long run, imo. I don't really want to sell low on him - regardless of our cap issues. I also think if there is any team he *should* be traded to if he wants to thrive, the Wild seems like the most obvious fit. I wouldn't be surprised if they were willing to send Greenway our direction to help offset the cap hit.

He has expressed interest in interviews to sign in Vancouver before. I imagine it would be on his list.

It was a good initial story. But Martin hasn't learned his fundamentals, imo. He plays way far out, and overcommits himself to the play. But I really don't blame just him. I think he would be "ok" as a backup on a defensively responsible team, but we aren't that team.

- Islander's 12th - Our 7th - Hoglander - Lekkerimaki - 2024 2nd, 3rd. I dunno... I think that's a compelling package in such a deep draft, imo.

I understand what you are saying, though I feel if the figure is reasonable, there is nothing wrong with having NHL-ready (and effective) players available for depth. It's kind of like when we had Alberts back in the day - though Schenn is even more effective. Without him, we don't have many players who can lay out the hits. This team needs to get faster, sure, but it needs to get bigger too. Moving Schenn just because he isn't a standout talented guy is short-sighted. He's a great leader (especially important since Bo left) and makes a difference out there. He's also reasonably defensively responsible, and oddly manages to generate more points than Myers. Speaking of Myers, I would be happy if we could move him for future considerations, to be honest. To me, he eats up a lot of cap for very questionable play, and doesn't hit like he should for a guy of his size. In any event, he is done after 1 more year, and it isn't like we're going to be instantly competitive next season anyway.

Provided we don't see a big surge under Tocchet (and missing outgoing players) we are going to have a very high pick. If we make a bold move to acquire another 1st, I could see a real opportunity to flip those plus something for the 1OA. Which would be a dream come true for both parties. I cannot comment on the other players you pointed out, but to me, we gotta go for the jewel in the gold.

I don't really see the point, thanks to a 3m QA. We don't need a body right now, and I'm not interested in the Canucks re-signing him to even that number for 1 more year.

From what I hear about his love for Vancouver, I think he'd take a discount on his market value. He obviously deserves a raise, and the way he's revitalized himself in Vancouver makes me comfortable with a 3 year term if the salary was low enough. Let's say, 1.75mx3. And if he wishes to accept the encouragement to take a shot at the cup this year, trade him to Boston and re-sign in the offseason. That's doubling his salary and letting him remain where he likes and has performed. If he wants to follow the money, he would no doubt fetch more elsewhere and roll the dice as to whether he would replicate these 2 years, or the few years prior.

From a personal perspective, I didn't want to see him go. I thought he brought a lot of what this team needed, as opposed to didn't. He also did this city right with his professionalism and general kindness. But the commitment was large, with a risk that he was simply having a career contract year. It will be interesting to see if he excels there or not - but even if he does, then the question becomes how long he can maintain that level of play into his 30's. (I suspect quite well, but it's also a risk). Bo also had the option to stay, albeit at a discount to help the team allocate that cap elsewhere. No, he absolutely did not have an obligation to take a hometown discount - but he still had that choice. Do you think Schenn is playing at league minimum because he couldn't get more elsewhere? Sometimes you take a hit for your team. And sometimes you don't.

That statement aged ok for about 3 hours. Boeser is NOT a hinderance. He's an asset who needs to get back on track - much like Petey has. It isn't a stretch to believe Petey can step up and get Brock going again. Now is absolutely the wrong time to move him. Get him on track, then if you must because he doesn't meet the "vision", then cool... whatever. Will be sad to see him go just as I was Bo. But right now the season is essentially lost anyway, so might as well try to maximize a return. I read a pair of trade suggestions on one of the Canuck-themed FB pages and the suggested return was vastly underwhelming. And would be a mistake.