Team: 2020-21 New York Islanders

Initial Creation Date: Jul. 2, 2020

Published: Jul. 2, 2020

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Let's look at a few things here.

1. Mathew Barzal's 3-year bridge deal. It's necessary for him to take it for a few reasons. First, the pandemic has prevented him from making a huge cash-in right away that doesn't involve crippling the team. Yes, money talks a bunch but so does winning(shot at Buffalo and Jack Eichel for no reason 😁). Second, when the cap starts gradually going up again in 2022, the team will be able to pay him a great amount whole guaranteeing consistent playoff contention.

2. The trade with L.A- this accomplishes a multitude of things for both teams. For the Islanders, they shed up to 8.5 million AAV to make room for Sorokin, Toews, Pulock, and Barzal. Second, giving up Leddy helps the Islanders not have to give too much to shed Komarov's salary because of the 2 things this accomplishes for the Kings. For the Kings, it's been well reported that they're willing to take on short-term AAV as a bridgegap for their top prospects. Mike Anderson is arguably their top LHD prospect and since they know they're rebuilding, don't want to give him too much too soon. What this also accomplishes for the Kings is that, not taking any cap hell into consideration(they have none), they can trade Leddy during the 2022 deadline to a desperate buyer and get a better return than what they initially gave up.
Accomplishing this prevents the Isles from having to give a top pick to shed Leo Komarov's salary given that they're helping the Kings with their overall long-term objective.

3. The trade with Calgary. For Thomas Hickey, he has gone through a lot this year with his family and heart goes out to him and his family. This trade comes at a price but helps Calgary. They're most likely not re-signing Hamonic given the emergence of Rasmus Andersson and most likely are going to rightfully re-sign Brodie. Hickey gives them cheap D depth and 2 6th round picks. The Islanders would also retain some salary as well. Now, I obviously could've had some other player trade to shed salary this offseason(Clutterbuck), but I think this is more sensible from a moral standpoint regarding Hickey. Also, as a bonus Grant Hutton seems primed and ready to go as a starting bottom pair dman and could soften the blow of the loss of Hamonic for much cheaper(and with more control).

4. The lineup. Before I get ragged on for having Wahlstrom on the 2nd line right away, keep in mind the following. First, Pelech and Pulock, though struggled at first, got matchups against top opposition right off the bat as well as Dobson(we'll get to him) getting 18+ min in NHL debut on his natural side. What helps Wahlstrom though in this case, like Bellows(we'll get to him too), is that he's surrounded by experience in Brock Nelson and Anthony Beauvillier. Both of their styles of play(possession and speed), enable Wahlstrom to be able to shoot more. Also, both of them execute the left wing lock efficiently as well as Wahlstrom in Bridgeport. With Bellows, he needs to be surrounded by defensive possession players to start with. The reason being is that while he does bring offense to the game, unlike Wahlstrom, he needs players to pick up his possession game and give him confidence in that role.
With Noah Dobson, the last few games before the suspension of the season, playing on his natural side with Greene enabled him to play more free. Given that they spoke with the Devils for a month+ to get Greene to waive his NTC, there seems to be a good amount of loyalty to Lou Lamoriello. After all, all of Greene's contracts were signed by Lou. Given him being at the semi-twilight of his career as well as him being in his late 30s, I put his AAV around 1-1.25 mil AAV.
Sorokin, after burning his ELC(which is a possibility as reported by Michael Russo), it's sensible for him to sign a 2-year bridge deal so he can cash-in on the year before he reaches UFA. Perhaps this lineup changes over the course of the season. Perhaps Dobson pairs with Toews or Pelech down the road. But for now, this is 90% what the most sensible lineup would look like.

Man, that took a long time to type.

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