So, everyone who's an Islander fan wants the team to get that top 6 sniper like Taylor Hall or Mike Hoffman or Laine. Let's be realistic, 2 of those 3 are staying with their respective teams and one of them is most likely going to Carolina.
However, what if the sniper we so badly desire is already on our team? What if the first line isn't being maximized because that all-purpose sniper isn't playing with Barzal(at least not 5 on 5). Think back to why in the 2016 playoffs that FN-JT-KO line was so effective. You had possesion with the occasional wicked shot, Tavares, and Okposo the finisher.
Lee, unless playing with Bailey, will never be able to be offensively maximized playing first line minutes. We DON'T, however, have to say the same about Brock Nelson. Out of all the forwards on the team, Nelson has been arguably the most consistent overall 2-way forward(you heard me. Yes better than Barzal) on the entire team since Barry Trotz took over as head coach. Compared to Frans back in 2015-16, Nelson would be even more effective as the 1C's LW. Can score from anywhere(not just parking up front), great on the dot, and provides much needed defensive support for Mathew Barzal.
Now, the question is this: how can you move Nelson to that spot without filling the 2C hole first? You have to look at how the Islanders were able to acquire Pageau. Some teams view it as an overpayment and I still don't necessarily agree because the intent of the move was to make it long-term. The 2C they would meed to acquire would also need to be locked in long-term.
While Pageau COULD play in 2C situations in bunches, he wouldn't be able to sustain that in a full 82-game season. Let's look back at how they were able to acquire Pageau. Pageau allegedly was asking for up to 6 mil AAV from a rebuilding Sens squad to pay for keeping him on what will be a non-contending team for at least 3 more years. What other team honestly needs massive retooling? Look no further than the team who's city is hosting the 2020 NHL draft: the Montreal Canadiens.
While the Habs have decent organziational center depth, they lack depth in wingers and defensemen who are cost-controlled. Also, if you're Phillip Danault, you know you can use this situation in Montreal and compare to Pageau for your own advantage in two ways:
1. Use Kevin Hayes' contract for leverage to drive up the price in Canada due to higher taxes so they'll either overpay you or
2. Trade you to a contender like Ottawa did with Pageau.
Now, who would Montreal want? Kieffer Bellows is a cost-controlled LW who's been racking up goals in the AHL. Seems to have the time to groom Bellows into the mid-6 or even top 6 scoring role in the next 2-3 years during the retool because let's be honest, no way are they ever letting go of Tatar or even Gallagher(the heart and soul). Given that Leddy has been deemed expendable by the Islanders and that Bergevin scouted him back in Chicago, this also makes Leddy even more attractive to Montreal. This could happen during the draft or even following the draft after say a "post-draft high" if you will. Both teams have needs. Montreal, though not remotely as bad as Ottawa, needs quite a retool and the Islanders are 1-2 key pieces away from cup contention. This is a good start on both sides.
Final thought for the RFA deals for Barzal, Toews, and Pulock. Barzal will get an opportunity for a bigger cash-in on a similar deal to Sebastian Aho but slightly less due to a little less points. Toews, being 2nd pair will make slightly less than Pesce but have an opportunity for a bigger cash-in. Pulock gets long-term deal and buys out a couple of UFA deals.
While, it does show Montreal being slightly higher above the cap, I also envision them trading Alzner to stockpile even more picks for the draft they're hosting.
As for Danault staying with the Islanders, I see a similar contract term signed like Pageau's only 1-1.5 mil AAV higher.
Furthermore, I noticed an error in Wahlstrom's contract. He's supposed to have 2 more years of his ELC following the 2020-21 season.
Not mainly for cap relief purposes, but gives Hickey the ability to tend to his family more often like Hamonic. Would also imagine Calgary buying him out instantly and re-signing him for a cheaper cap hit.
Bellows is a very good prospect and leddy is a pretty decent defensman but this would not cut it. The thing with Danault is, his value on the ice for us exceeds his value on the market. Not only does he have great chemistry with Tatar and Danault, he has to shut down all the 1C of the other teams each game and does it very well. He has over 55% faceoff win and he is our best PK player. All of this in addition of consistently picking 50pts without a single minute of PP. Not to mention His 3M contract (yes he will have to sign soon but probably wont be to gritty to keep his spot). Not to mention he loves it here and je is a leader on and off the ice.
Personnally, I would trade a lot of "better" players before him like Domi or Drouin and even Tatar. If Suzuki continue his progression and KK can développement well, he would fall on the 3rd line eventually and could be even more effective then by concentring on what he can do best and forget about trying to put up a top6 centre production. Bottom line, Danault is not for sale unless the offer is way over what he's worth.
While I like the idea of acquiring danault, the Canadiens probably want to sign him and I don’t think the islanders would be interested in acquiring another center.
I agree that lee needs to play with bailey, and I hate how stubborn trotz has been this season - this team would have another 4 or 5 points if trotz went with beau-barzal-eberle , Lee-nelson-bailey.
Bellows is a very good prospect and leddy is a pretty decent defensman but this would not cut it. The thing with Danault is, his value on the ice for us exceeds his value on the market. Not only does he have great chemistry with Tatar and Danault, he has to shut down all the 1C of the other teams each game and does it very well. He has over 55% faceoff win and he is our best PK player. All of this in addition of consistently picking 50pts without a single minute of PP. Not to mention His 3M contract (yes he will have to sign soon but probably wont be to gritty to keep his spot). Not to mention he loves it here and je is a leader on and off the ice.
Personnally, I would trade a lot of "better" players before him like Domi or Drouin and even Tatar. If Suzuki continue his progression and KK can développement well, he would fall on the 3rd line eventually and could be even more effective then by concentring on what he can do best and forget about trying to put up a top6 centre production. Bottom line, Danault is not for sale unless the offer is way over what he's worth.
What makes it difficult for MTL to keep him is he also is UFA status and the current state of the team right now. It very well could be Bellows, Leddy+. Danault is indeed a shutdown 2C, but his lack of goals sorta hurt his value just a tinsy bit. Also, Julien(the guy Bergevin has elected to keep next season), has separated Danault away from the Tatar-Gallagher duo recently. Wouldn't surprise me if that can gradually cause a little friction. I do agree that Drouin should also be moved as that contract also looks like a massive flop. Just really seems like those potential negotiations between Bergevin and Danault are going to be an absolute mess this summer onwards. This saga could very well be resolved by next February.
While I like the idea of acquiring danault, the Canadiens probably want to sign him and I don’t think the islanders would be interested in acquiring another center.
I agree that lee needs to play with bailey, and I hate how stubborn trotz has been this season - this team would have another 4 or 5 points if trotz went with beau-barzal-eberle , Lee-nelson-bailey.
Well, Ottawa really wanted to keep Pageau. Look how that ended up.
Actually 2 things.
1. Though Lee - Nelson - Bailey have been offensively successful in the xGF%, not so much in the HDCF%. Lee - Barzal - Bailey can be successful, but the holes in the rest of the roster combined with the current Pelech injury doesn't make this team cup finalist whatsoever.
2. You can never have enough strong center depth. Look at the Blues. The emergence of Robert Thomas has given them the leverage to move Schenn to RW, which in the end, even further softens the blow of losing Tarasenko for so long and still being a Western conference buzzsaw. Also, in addition to Parise, Koivu was also wanted by Lou as well. A sign showing that Lou understands there's still room for even much more room for C improvement.
Well, Ottawa really wanted to keep Pageau. Look how that ended up.
Actually 2 things.
1. Though Lee - Nelson - Bailey have been offensively successful in the xGF%, not so much in the HDCF%. Lee - Barzal - Bailey can be successful, but the holes in the rest of the roster combined with the current Pelech injury doesn't make this team cup finalist whatsoever.
2. You can never have enough strong center depth. Look at the Blues. The emergence of Robert Thomas has given them the leverage to move Schenn to RW, which in the end, even further softens the blow of losing Tarasenko for so long and still being a Western conference buzzsaw. Also, in addition to Parise, Koivu was also wanted by Lou as well. A sign showing that Lou understands there's still room for even much more room for C improvement.
Fine with it, it just wont be Danault hehe. And as for OTT wanting to keep Pageau, its not quite the same situation, we can afford signing and keeping players because our owner is not a crazy mofo who spend as little as he can. Plus, even if Dan is a player Trotz would dream about, I dont think he is the kind of player you should target, especially with Pageau signed. You guys need some real offensive punch IMO. A guy with skills and passing/scoring abiltities, not another Pageau kind of player.
McDavid, Connor
$250,000)
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