Uh you cant just wish away Andrew Ladd and his terrible contract...

Very very very good forwards but I don't feel like this defense is very good......

Ladd tore his ACL late last season, reports are he is out for the year. Well he may be ready towards the end of year but they will take it slow as he is not needed.

This team could be feasible if Ladd stays on LTIR all year, but after next season you would probably have to let Toffoli walk.

In terms of competitiveness, forward depth looks good, defense might be suspect, a very young group. But if Lehner maintains his form I could see this team top 5 in the east.

I don't understand how that defense led them to the lowest GA in the league last year. Just shows how good Trotz is. Any other team I'd say no cup without better D but did they ever show otherwise this year.

I’ve only read that he is aiming to start at the beginning of the season but it’s not for sure. Even if it is delayed a month or two, you’d have to make room for his 5m cap hit mid season. No GM would go over the cap by signing players because they get some cap relief for a couple months.

Very good point!!!

Why would Barzal sign for 8 million in 2020? You just gave Duchene almost 10. Look at RFA contracts, specifically for young highly productive centres. If I was him I would not take a cent less then Jack Eichel did, and that's going to put a major squeeze on your cap (especially with Ladd and Boychuk still there). Assuming he will do you a favour with his contract is a big mistake IMO.

I think the Islanders need to very careful about dolling out major cash this year, with two big RFA signings coming up next year and multiple terrible contracts for veterans. I also think it's a mistake to assume you'll be as good next year as you were this year, when teams have a year to figure out what they're doing. This is a critical offseason for them to reshape their team, but throwing 65 million at Duchene I don't think benefits them long term.