Yup the Islanders are definitely gonna let their best player walk

stop

This would be amazing for the Habs and awful for the Isles

No one is giving up 4 1sts for Barzy and the Isles aren’t letting him go. Just fun to think about.

That would give the Habs KK, Suzuki, and Barzal down the middle. That’s worth it

I seriously think Lou would take the 4 1sts. Brock Pageau Zeeker are all really good C’s without Barzy. Isles would need to turn those picks into a star offensive player and cast off Ladd and Boychuk’s salary.

Gonna take more for Gaudreau

Boychuk has an 8 team trade list. Guaranteed he isn't going to an out of the playoff team with cap space. His 6m cap hit stays an Islander.
I think it's a bad deal trading 2 firsts for Gaudreau and only getting 4 first for Barzel. Barzel is the better player and is signed for 3 to 5 years longer than Gaudreau. Besides Barzel can sign for a smaller $$$ deal with the Isles, and be happy instead of going to Montreal.

Barzal signs for around 8 on a 3 year bridge until cap rises and he hits a big pay day. No one is offer sheeting this off season.

Flames will not get more than 2 firsts and a solid C prospect with size and good AHL numbers.

Then you don’t get Gaudreau 🤷‍♂️

Lou doesn’t make the final decision , the owners would never let another franchise center walk when they have a new arena opening in a year.

I’m pretty sure when Lou speaks the owner’s listen. Have you seen what Lou has done with this team in his two years here? There is no way Lou would let ownership effect a hockey personnel decision.

Barzal is a top 10, possibly top 5 most exciting player to watch in the NHL. Plus he’s an elite 1st line center. There is no chance the owners would allow him to walk unless some team offersheets barzal over 12 million (which won’t happen). Casual fans (non islanders fans) attend isles games just to watch barzal. Fans would cancel season tickets. Losing barzal would be a nightmare, which is why the owners wouldn’t allow it. They took over Tavares negotiations and they also have the final say on the face of the franchise. Also lou wouldn’t even target gaudreau, he’s one of the softest players in the league.

I've said it before, but if the Islanders actually have to let Barzal walk (I'd say any deal that gives him the highest cap hit in the league), immediately pivot to Eichel. If he can actually be had, pay the price. Can't afford to let Barzal go without a replacement (and that's exactly why they won't, unless some team is stupid enough to offer $12-$13 million).

You can’t win in this league without an elite 1C. Even if barzal was OS 11.5 x 7 isles would still match and work around it. It would have to be like 12 -12.5 x 5 for isles to not match.

Exactly what I'm saying. The Eichel thing is a little unrelated, just a contingency plan.

I can’t see MTL OS barzal with the emergence of suzuki and kotkaniemi, unless they plan to trade one of them. Colorado would be a good fit for barzal but they have to pay makar, landeskog plus kadri is a great stop gap for newhook. I highly doubt barzal receives an OS during the offseason.

You're right about Montreal, Barzal accelerates their rebuild but they're building toward something interesting. Don't mess with that. Colorado doesn't worry me. They have two amazing centers in their top 6 and will need cap space down the line.

The teams that stand out to me as potential candidates are Minnesota and Calgary. Both have all their picks, both have a glaring need at center and both could use a shot in the arm if they want to get back to the playoffs. Not sure if either of them are bold enough to actually do it, but the potential is there.

I think Guerin idolizes lou, I don’t believe he would offersheet barzal although they do need a 1C. I honestly think CGY will enter a rebuild, so I don’t think they’re an option, but who knows.