Team: 2022-23 New York Islanders

Initial Creation Date: May 9, 2022

Published: May 13, 2022

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Ok here goes: Only 2 trades and 2 UFA signings.

1) Vegas trade I feel is fair because it gives them pieces they can use in areas they can use help in, while giving them a bit more cap space as well.

2) Ottawa trade was really to find a team that can use the players and give up a pick. Maybe Ottawa isn't the best fit, but I'm sure there is a team that would be interested.

3) Kessel and Yandle are both 1 year signings that are stopgaps at their positions. Kessel gives Holmstrom a make or break decision on being NHL ready and gives Darfour a year at the North American game in Bridgeport to gauge his abilities, all without taking a step backward. Kessel has a fair value, unless another team is willing to go higher. He's not a key contributor so there's less pressure and minutes on him in theory. He can obviously move up that lineup if needed. Yandle is that Greene/Chara like role of one year at a time on that minimum pay. In the past it's been to help the defensive aspect of the game. With the likes of Wotherspoon, Wilde, Vande Sompel, Salo and Bolduc all possible to be a 6th or 7th option, having Yandle can only help them in development and help with the offense on our blueline. Again, only 1 year deal in worst case scenario of this being a bad idea.

4) Lines are well balanced with players in proper roles as they should be. Instead of overpaying for a winger to come in and play with Barzal, I made Barzal the winger (like when he produced the most points in a season playing with Tavares for part of the season). Wahlstrom is set up for success with veteran help from Parise and a good center in Pageau. Raty is set up similarly with Palmieri and Kessel. There's a lot of experience to give him help and a good veteran presence on the ice. 4th line stays intact.

5) Defense still very deep. First pairing stays intact. Dobson now has Martinez who can move the puck decently well, better than Chara, so that's a difference for him going forward. Third pairing already discussed.

6) Goaltending stays strong in bringing back Lehner as a familiar face. He'll be a good fit with Sorokin in support and already is a fan favorite as we know.

I feel like the team is set up well to compete this season, has a learning curve for some to really develop into bigger roles the following season and has enough cap coming off the books at the end of the season to retain everyone that needs to be. And, that's all without a cap increase in itself.

7) A Coaching Note: I'm going to assume that now that Lou has people established on the team under his regime, Lambert gets the coaching gig. Should be a good mix of more offense than we were used to be still defensively responsible play.

Ok everyone, rip it apart. LOL

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