Isles 2022-23 - Return of an Old Friend

Team: 2022-23 New York Islanders

Initial Creation Date: Jun. 20, 2022

Published: Jun. 21, 2022

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

This is mostly unlikely, but a fun scenario I thought of.

Back in 2014-15, the Isles "kid" line at the time was Lee-Nelson-Strome. I always thought Lee and Nelson have shown really nice chemistry, even though they're both goal scorers. Strome, who was the playmaker on that line, had a very nice season. In my opinion, he played equally as well with Lee and Nelson as he did with Tavares (and I think Kulemin was on the left side?). I think Capuano killed Strome's confidence and a coach like Lambert might give him a better role here. There's also very scarce depth at RW in free agency. Everyone is either too old or will be too expensive.

That being said, I'd only want Strome back if he's willing to take a one-year, prove-it deal on a contender. He most likely will get a larger contract somewhere else, but it'll probably be on a bad team.

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Trades

SEA-NYI Trade

Beauvillier for Dunn straight up seems like a fair deal. Maybe pieces add on both sides but the general framework makes a lot of sense. Dunn essentially takes on the Toews/Leddy role we desperately need, while Beau gives Seattle a young linemate for Beniers and has existing chemistry with Eberle.

NSH-NYI Trade

Cap dump move for both teams in an odd way. Nashville gets two forwards, one veteran (Bailey) and one project (Bellows). Bellows and Cody Glass were junior teammates and seemed to have great chemistry with one another, that could be a fun line to recreate in Nashville. They also move on from Myers, who was very disappointing. NYI saves some cap and gets a depth defenseman and forward (Oliver).

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Free Agents

Domi

Max Domi also signs a one-year, prove-it deal. I think Domi would be an incredible fit with Barzal and Wahlstrom. He's faster than Lee so he can keep up with Barzal, and also is physical enough to protect Barzal and Wahlstrom.

Varlamov

In this scenario, NYI also gets to keep Varlamov. Looking at the goaltending market, and how the playoffs have played out, I really want to keep this tandem together unless we can get a decent backup at super cheap.

Greene

Andy Greene comes back as the 7th defenseman.

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