Tavares left. The Islanders are in no condition to repeat and are likely looking hungrily at next year's draft already. But with Belmont on the horizon in just two years, the Islanders can't afford to be hurting for ticket sales. What does Lou do?
Get the MEANEST MOTHERFUCKING TEAM IN THE LEAGUE.
Just look at that line up. E=MC2 is back. The third line is full of solid hitting/2 way players. Hell, even Lee in our Top 6 can hit pretty well. On defense we kept Mayfield, an absolutely dangerous hitter, and Boychuk and Hickey CAN hit, even if they aren't known for it anymore. Hell, even Lehner's got an attitude.
Do we have a shot at the playoffs? No. Do we even have a shot at the net? No. But we have the hardest hitting team in the league now. Get marketing on this: our team hits harder than any other and if you like violence in hockey, go to an Islanders game.
Also meanwhile, Lou's making Bridgeport worth a damn, making our unfinished prospects play there until they get ready. Not exciting, but it worked for the Marlies, and that's clearly what Lou has in mind. Especially when you look how little room there is for 3rd line prospect slots now, and the addition of Sislo is likely designed to make Bridgeport a place where prospects can actually develop.
Then at the end of the year, we get at least a 5th overall pick. If we're smart, we'll trade Lee and/or Eberle at the Deadline for a haul of high draft picks a la Stastny/Hartman from last year. Maybe we even move Bailey to Toronto for futures. The whole point of signing him was so he could be with Tavares, why not let him?
Once the trade deadline passes, we bring up the worthiest of the AHL developers (my money's on Bellows and Ho-Sang) for some Top 6 NHL minutes. By the end of this God forsaken season, we'll have a treasure trove of prospects, and AHL farm team that can develop prospects worth a damn and, with a little luck, one of Hughes, Newhook, Dach, Kakko or York
Only a slightly higher cost than Winnipeg paid for rental Stastny. Speaking of Winnipeg, the Wild will need more than what they had last year if they want to get past the Jets and Avs this year, and I think both of those teams will look to contend next playoff season.
MIN
Anders Lee
Minnesota's good, but their window is kind of closing. A young, 40 goal scoring Minnesota native is just what they need and likely want.
2.
NYI
2019 2nd round pick (TOR)
2019 3rd round pick (TOR)
2020 1st round pick (TOR)
Additional Details:
Nathan Horton
2019 2nd round pick becomes a 1st round pick if the Maple Leafs win the Eastern Conference Finals.
TOR
Josh Bailey
I could see the Islanders moving Bailey, a 70 point scorer last year, for another boatload of picks. It's clear he has chemistry with Tavares, so I could see the Leafs being willing to fork over picks for that. Do I have all the spite in the world towards Toronto? Hell Yes. Would I be okay with them winning a Cup if the Isles get a crap ton of picks out of it? Also yes.