Simple Question: Who do you guys think Seattle will select from the Islanders? There really aren't a ton of amazing options for them. Assuming Barzal, Beauvillier, Lee, Eberle, Nelson, Pageau, Bailey, Pelech, Pulock and Varlamov are protected, how do you all think it will go? I'll give some brief analysis, along with my prediction.
Sebastian Aho (D): Smooth-skating puck mover out of Sweden; put up gaudy point totals in the AHL, but hasn't played a professional game in almost A YEAR. Has the most upside out of the likely options, but also maybe the most risk.
Kieffer Bellows (W): Former 1st round pick who has yet to prove he can stick in the NHL. AHL career is also a mixed bag, but he has shown flashes of being a capable middle six scorer. Could hit a stride with some more consistent playing time, but likely won't get those opportunities on Long Island.
Scott Mayfield (D): Pure defensive defenseman with very little offensive upside. On a steal of a contract for a player in his role, which I think makes him the most attractive of the listed options, especially if Seattle was looking to flip him.
Michael Dal Colle (LW): Reliable defensive forward, again, with little offensive ability. Has carved out a nice role on the 3rd line as a forechecker/shutdown forward but far from the hype surrounding the 5th overall pick. Could be a nice depth piece in the NHL, however, for years to come.
Nick Leddy (D): Having a resurgent season, in terms of both point production and overall impact, but makes a whopping $7 million in real money next season. Seattle would be one of the few teams in the league that could afford him without the Islanders retaining a considerable chunk of the final year of his contract.
Trades?: With several RFAs to be signed in the offseason, the Islanders could look to strike a deal with Seattle to take a bad contract. Personally, I think moving Komarov would be more advantageous, as we could move $3 million off the books for next season and not have to pay a boatload in return (like we would for Ladd). Not sure if it's worth it to the Kraken and it might not be worth it to us to make it worth it to them, but it's a route worth keeping on the radar.
My prediction: I think the Kraken will look to take a big swing with the Isles. Not much to choose from, so you might as well take a little more of a risk. I'll say they select Sebastian Aho, after liking what they see from him when he gets into a couple of games later on this season. The Isles have been very lucky with injuries this season (Beauvillier and Dal Colle have been the only big ones so far) and there is the looming threat of Covid hanging over the league as well. If one defenseman gets hurt, Aho is going to get in, unless they want to go to Thomas Hickey, who hasn't played professionally in nearly TWO YEARS. But I'm legitimately interested to see how the rest of you feel about it.
That’s a good call, hopefully he ages just as well
The isles have plenty of bad contracts, but I always it funny when Rival fanbases sh*t on eberles contract. He’s outperformed his AAV the past two seasons (he’s been worth 6-6.5 mill) and according to most models he’s expected to provide top 6 value for the remainder of his contract. He’s currently top 15 in expected goals among all NHL forwards and him and barzal have a 65% HDCF when paired together...
I don’t think Seattle would care too much what out coach thinks ab bellows. I also don’t think they take Leddy cuz of his backloaded contract and there will probably be better, younger d available. And I def don’t think Leo goes on a heater lmfao
I think it makes sense to sell high on Leddy during the offseason. I don’t trust him to replicate his performance.
I could see them taking mayfield he can play in the top 4 on a team friendly contract and despite his bad season he can easily rebound under the right circumstances
I think it makes sense to sell high on Leddy during the offseason. I don’t trust him to replicate his performance.
I just don't know how you do that. He's getting $7 million in salary next year, all of it in salary so that number won't drop after whenever bonuses are to be paid. Would be a really tricky situation
I just don't know how you do that. He's getting $7 million in salary next year, all of it in salary so that number won't drop after whenever bonuses are to be paid. Would be a really tricky situation
yeah you're probably right. I guess our best bet is leaving him exposed and hope Seattle sees an opportunity to flip him at the deadline with 50% retained. If not, I'd really like to see lou be creative and move Bailey, even if he has to retain salary.
As it stands it doesn't seem like Bellows is even going to be exposed purely because of 27/54 requirement which means he would need to play 19 more games this season in order for him to qualify for exposure. I'd be shocked if he gets more than 5 games the rest of the way as Czarnik has passed him on the depth chart. Aho likely won't be exposed for the same reasons. He needs to play 27 games to meet the requirement and the Isles seem to have no interest in changing things up defensively unless there is an injury. Although, I could see one of Aho/Bellows packaged to Seattle alongside someone like Komarov or Clutterbuck as a way of freeing up cap space.
Mayfield and Cizikas are the most likely to get picked IMO.
Cizikas will be a UFA and as a 4th liner that has scored 20 goals, is extremely good defensively, fast, and a great person in the room I think Seattle will try and use their UFA negotiating period on him.
Mayfield is on a very cheap contract and even if he's not having a great year it would be low risk for Seattle to pick him as a big, physical, and cheap #5 dman.
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