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Kicking The Can

Created by: dannibalcorpse
Team: 2023-24 New York Islanders
Initial Creation Date: Mar. 7, 2023
Published: Mar. 7, 2023
Salary Cap Mode: Basic
Description
Don't even know anymore, man! This team is definitely in "win now" mode without a ton of winning to show for it. Let's try and continue kicking that can down the road; Lou doesn't seem to care about leaving an absolute tire fire of a team behind to whoever takes over for him (even if it's his own dang son!!)

Not a ton of signings - keep most of the RFAs, convince Varlamov to stick around as a solid 1B on a lesser salary, and keep Pierre Engvall around on a $2.5M AAV to be a younger version of what an assumedly-retired Zach Parise has been for the team this year - a Swiss army knife guy who can play anywhere.

With no signings, let's do some trades baby!

-Lou hates to admit that he's wrong on a guy, but he might be wrong on Romanov. It also should be noted that LHD is one of the few places the Isles have decent depth in their pipeline - Sam Bolduc looks like a legit prospect, Robin Salo has shown himself to be NHL-ready, as has Dennis Cholowski & Parker Wotherspoon, and Calle Odelius looks to have middle-pair upside. Not a murderer's row, I know, but a quintet of solid players. So Alex Romanov gets moved - to Colorado, who can shelter him with 3rd pair minutes, and is happy to turn $5M of 3rd pair Sam GIrard into $2.5M of 3rd pair Alex Romanov. Isles throw in a mid-rounder to make up for the talent disparity, but that's all I really think is needed to make this an even deal.

-Gotta move Josh Bailey. Chicago needs warm bodies next year, and will probably be interested in a guy with the leadership qualities Bailey has. Modeled this off the Petr Mrazek draft-day deal, where Chicago took 2x$3.8M (over $8M in real money) to move up from #38 to #25. This time, they take 1x$5M(with $3.5M in real money) to move up from the low 80s to the low 50s.

-Speaking of that glut of LHD, Robin Salo is a decent hand who can be fine in 3rd pair minutes and might grow into something more. Problem is, the Isles have a trio of guys who that description fits and only have one 3rd pair spot to give them - so Salo gets moved for another post-hype prospect. LA can use him as an Alex Edler replacement, and the Isles get some more young depth to build to eventually take over when the over-30 crowd finally finishes their contracts.

LINES
Lee-Horvat-Barzal seems to be a solid trio, leave it alone.
Engvall-Nelson-Wahlstrom puts a lot of speed and a heavy shot alongside Brock's 2-way game. Will it work? Who knows.
Palmieri-Pageau-Holmstrom is two guys with chemstry (P&P) with Simon Holmstrom hopefully maturing into a defensively sound option here.
Durandeau-Cizikas-Martin/Clutterbuck: Durandeau is a grimy player, have enjoyed his work so far this year. He gets some fresh legs on this line, with Martin & Clutterbuck playing as health dictates.

D PAIRS
Pelech-Dobson puts Noah with a defensively sound partner he hopefully learns something from.
Bolduc-Pulock puts the most veteran defenseman with the youngest - hopefully can work the same way Greene/Dobson pairing worked two years ago?
Aho-Girard is a smaller pair that I'd shelter with more O-zone starts.

I like that setup because it lets you move Girard up to the second pair in a tight game without running everyone into the ground - Lambert loves double-shifting his veterans in a close game so spreading them out from the start will hopefully keep everyone's legs fresher.
Free Agent Signings
RFAYEARSCAP HIT
2$2,000,000
2$800,000
2$800,000
2$800,000
2$800,000
2$900,000
2$825,000
UFAYEARSCAP HIT
2$2,000,000
2$2,500,000
Trades
1.
NYI
  1. Girard, Samuel
Additional Details:
NEED: Bowen Byram needs a new deal this summer and Devon Toews will need one next summer; Girard eventually gets squeezed out as he makes too much to be the 4th/5th best D in Colorado.
COL
  1. Romanov, Alexander
  2. 2025 3rd round pick (NYI)
Additional Details:
VALUE: Romanov is younger and has half the cap hit Girard does. He's got room to grow but comes with a pick attached as Girard is clearly a superior player.
2.
NYI
  1. 2023 3rd round pick (DAL)
Additional Details:
NEED: He's a pending UFA, good "intangibles" guy, might bring back something retained down to $2.5M
CHI
  1. Bailey, Josh
  2. 2023 2nd round pick (NYI)
Additional Details:
VALUE: Basing this off the Mrazek cap dump at last year's draft - Toronto gave up Mrazek & #25OA and got back #38OA for 2x$3.8M left on Mrazek's deal; Bailey has only 1x$5M left and is still mildly useful.
3.
NYI
  1. Thomas, Akil [RFA Rights]
Additional Details:
NEED: LA gets an NHL-capable LHD to replace Alex Edler as their bottom pair guy.
LAK
  1. Salo, Robin
Additional Details:
VALUE: Islanders get back a similarly-aged player slowly aging out of the "prospect" label, but young enough to help build some depth for a team in desperate need of it.
Buyouts
DraftRound 1Round 2Round 3Round 4Round 5Round 6Round 7
2023
Logo of the DAL
Logo of the NYI
Logo of the NYI
Logo of the NYI
Logo of the NYI
2024
Logo of the NYI
Logo of the NYI
Logo of the NYI
Logo of the NYI
Logo of the NYI
Logo of the NYI
2025
Logo of the NYI
Logo of the NYI
Logo of the NYI
Logo of the NYI
Logo of the NYI
Logo of the NYI
ROSTER SIZESALARY CAPCAP HITOVERAGES TooltipBONUSESCAP SPACE
23$83,500,000$82,713,333$0$0$786,667
Left WingCentreRight Wing
Logo of the New York Islanders
$7,000,000$7,000,000
LW
NTC
UFA - 3
Logo of the New York Islanders
$8,500,000$8,500,000
C
NTC
UFA - 8
Logo of the New York Islanders
$9,150,000$9,150,000
C, RW
UFA - 8
Logo of the New York Islanders
$2,500,000$2,500,000
RW, LW
UFA - 7
Logo of the New York Islanders
$6,000,000$6,000,000
C, LW
M-NTC
UFA - 2
Logo of the New York Islanders
$2,000,000$2,000,000
RW
RFA - 1
Logo of the New York Islanders
$5,000,000$5,000,000
RW, LW
M-NTC
UFA - 2
Logo of the New York Islanders
$5,000,000$5,000,000
C
M-NTC
UFA - 3
Logo of the New York Islanders
$863,333$863,333
RW
RFA - 1
Logo of the New York Islanders
$762,500$762,500
LW
UFA - 1
Logo of the New York Islanders
$2,500,000$2,500,000
C
UFA - 4
Logo of the New York Islanders
$1,500,000$1,500,000
LW, RW
UFA - 1
Logo of the New York Islanders
$1,750,000$1,750,000
RW
UFA - 1
Left DefenseRight DefenseGoaltender
Logo of the New York Islanders
$5,750,000$5,750,000
LD
NTC
UFA - 6
Logo of the New York Islanders
$4,000,000$4,000,000
RD
RFA - 2
Logo of the New York Islanders
$4,000,000$4,000,000
G
UFA - 1
Logo of the New York Islanders
$900,000$900,000
LD
RFA - 2
Logo of the New York Islanders
$6,150,000$6,150,000
RD
NTC
UFA - 7
Logo of the New York Islanders
$825,000$825,000
LD
UFA - 1
Logo of the Colorado Avalanche
$5,000,000$5,000,000
LD/RD
UFA - 4
Logo of the New York Islanders
$2,000,000$2,000,000
G
UFA - 4
ScratchesInjured Reserve (IR)Long Term IR (LTIR)
Logo of the New York Islanders
$800,000$800,000
LD
UFA - 1
Logo of the New York Islanders
$762,500$762,500
LW, C
UFA - 1

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Mar. 7, 2023 at 3:04 p.m.
#1
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I would prefer a 1st, or at least two 2nds.
Edit: For Girard
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Mar. 7, 2023 at 3:10 p.m.
#2
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we miss leo k
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Quoting: MeetYourMakar
I would prefer a 1st, or at least two 2nds.
Edit: For Girard


Lou would probably give you back the pair of 2nds for Devon Toews, but I think for Girard it would be more of a hockey trade like this - Girard is more less sliding into the Scott Mayfield slot (RD3 on the depth chart but moves up and down the lineup as necessary during the game) while Toews would be more of a standard top-4 guy here.

Not saying that Toews is only worth a pair of 2nds; more saying that I think Lamoriello would give up big picks for the better player but would pivot elsewhere if that's the ask on Girard.
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Mar. 7, 2023 at 3:19 p.m.
#3
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I'm sure the Hawks would be "in" on taking Bailey, but the only way this trade would go down as proposed is if there's a player on the board Hawks absolutely love. Otherwise I see more of a 2024 2nd and Bailey to the Hawks for F/C or some lesser prospect.
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Mar. 7, 2023 at 3:29 p.m.
#4
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I appreciate the level of thought you put into your comments and posts. And while it's not like outlandish, I don't think Colorado goes for this trade for the following reasons.

1. Romanov doesn't look like he has the upside some thought (imo).
2. The Avs could sign a ufa for the bottom pairing and move Girard for better futures, which likely leaves them in a better spot going forward.
3. I think they prefer to hold onto Girard for as long as they can. He likely only gets moved this soon if the team chases a 2C.
4. They won't move him unless they have a good idea of what Toews wants on his next deal, and it's too soon for that.

Obviously the team could feel differently about Romanov and make everything I said worthless, but I don't think so. I really believe that Girard's availability is overestimated on this site.
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Mar. 7, 2023 at 3:55 p.m.
#5
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we miss leo k
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Quoting: Anus_McLeod
I appreciate the level of thought you put into your comments and posts. And while it's not like outlandish, I don't think Colorado goes for this trade for the following reasons.

1. Romanov doesn't look like he has the upside some thought (imo).
2. The Avs could sign a ufa for the bottom pairing and move Girard for better futures, which likely leaves them in a better spot going forward.
3. I think they prefer to hold onto Girard for as long as they can. He likely only gets moved this soon if the team chases a 2C.
4. They won't move him unless they have a good idea of what Toews wants on his next deal, and it's too soon for that.

Obviously the team could feel differently about Romanov and make everything I said worthless, but I don't think so. I really believe that Girard's availability is overestimated on this site.


I especially agree with #3&4 - they don't *need* to move Girard so why do it? The extra cap space helps but they can work around it if they need to.

From the Isles side, I tried to make a move I could see Lamoriello make - if something insane happened and I wound up GM of the Islanders tomorrow, I wouldn't be beholden to the old regime's moves, so I'd flip out Romanov for a 2nd & a prospect (or whatever) instead of trying to upgrade him into a better player - but Lou's not gonna turn a player he paid a 1st rounder for into a 2nd rounder, so I assume he'd try and move Romanov in a deal for a better, more established player with a higher cap hit. It clearly depends on Colorado seeing another LHD from the Islanders and getting excited about him, though.

Quoting: Hawksguy81
I'm sure the Hawks would be "in" on taking Bailey, but the only way this trade would go down as proposed is if there's a player on the board Hawks absolutely love. Otherwise I see more of a 2024 2nd and Bailey to the Hawks for F/C or some lesser prospect.


Yeah, not opposed to something like that if it comes down to it. I'd throw Bailey and a 2nd out for a guy like Mike Hardman coming back, if only for the A+ value his name brings to the table.
Mar. 7, 2023 at 4:15 p.m.
#6
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I would hire you as GM
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Mar. 7, 2023 at 6:07 p.m.
#7
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Quoting: MeetYourMakar
I would prefer a 1st, or at least two 2nds.
Edit: For Girard

Hronek just got a 1st and 2nd Girard is every bit as good or better than him. 2 2nds is giving Girard away.
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Mar. 7, 2023 at 6:43 p.m.
#8
Chris Peralta
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I had a feeling this was a Dannibal post with the long descriptions. lol

anyway, like all the trades personally, I'd also find a way to trade away Palmieri.
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Mar. 7, 2023 at 7:42 p.m.
#9
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Quoting: Xqb15a
Hronek just got a 1st and 2nd Girard is every bit as good or better than him. 2 2nds is giving Girard away.


Was making a tired joke. I would want a 1st++ for Girard.
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Mar. 8, 2023 at 3:35 a.m.
#10
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You've definitely put some thought into it but I'd see that as a definite no for the Avs.
Mar. 8, 2023 at 9:09 a.m.
#11
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we miss leo k
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Quoting: Xqb15a
Hronek just got a 1st and 2nd Girard is every bit as good or better than him. 2 2nds is giving Girard away.


Quoting: MeetYourMakar
Was making a tired joke. I would want a 1st++ for Girard.


Quoting: TJTwolf
You've definitely put some thought into it but I'd see that as a definite no for the Avs.


Appreciate the feedback - was trying to find a workaround for value since the Islanders have a pretty empty farm system and I'd prefer them to not go *six* drafts without a 1st rounder and shot as high as I could. Romanov has been a tough sell for me personally because it's hard to tell what to blame his struggles this season on. Is it bad coaching? Is it weird deployment? Is it him being only 23 and basically getting thrown from the KHL directly into the NHL at 20 without any sort of adjustment period?

I think there's more to unlock with him; but with a team that's made up of veterans like the Islanders, I don't know how much time I would want to give to his on-the-job training.
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Mar. 8, 2023 at 9:13 a.m.
#12
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we miss leo k
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Quoting: ChrisNapoleon
I had a feeling this was a Dannibal post with the long descriptions. lol

anyway, like all the trades personally, I'd also find a way to trade away Palmieri.


i refuse to be misinterpreted! no matter how many words it takes!!!

Palmieri is hard to move for me, because full NTC through the end of this year and 16 team NTC the rest of the way on his deal - his performance isn't *awful*, either. He's basically a 20-20-40/82 GP type of player now, which makes him like $1-1.5M overpaid. With his NTC and contract though, I don't know who's taking him - contenders will be too tight against the cap to take $5M and lottery teams are gonna want to get paid to to take a 32 year old with a $5M AAV. I'd just ride it out at this point and hope he stays somewhat useful.
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Mar. 12, 2023 at 6:16 p.m.
#13
Once a Kings Fan Too
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I would certainly accept that offer as the Los Angeles GM.

Two things I get from this careful construction: (1) you think that Engvall is pretty much a "should re-sign," and (2) Wahlstrom is worth considerably more than his Qualifying Offer. Do I have those right?
Mar. 16, 2023 at 1:15 p.m.
#14
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Quoting: OldNYIfan
I would certainly accept that offer as the Los Angeles GM.

Two things I get from this careful construction: (1) you think that Engvall is pretty much a "should re-sign," and (2) Wahlstrom is worth considerably more than his Qualifying Offer. Do I have those right?


Sorry, slammed at work and just saw this now!

Torn on Engvall being a "must sign", just anticipating Lou wanting to keep a guy around that he spent a pick on - the only NHL players he traded assets for and let walk since coming to NY in 2018 have been Braydon Coburn and Dmytro Timashov - two guys who cost the grand total of one (1) 7th rounder to acquire. The acquisition cost on Engvall makes me think he is likely to stick around; the fact that he had to settle for a one year deal after a pretty solid season in '21-22 makes me feel like he'll be a less expensive, shorter-term signing.

As far as Wahlstrom, I think if you want him around long-term, there's value in going above his QO on his first RFA extension. He's been a solid player who has been productive with his minutes, scoring at a nearly 40 point pace while getting bottom-6 minutes. I think something in the $1.5-2M AAV on a bridge deal lets him rebuild value coming back from injury while not killing your cap; I also think giving a modest raise to a player you don't necessarily need to could pay off in the long run. If he winds up turning into a solid 25-30 goal guy with top-6 minutes that's happy to stick around after his bridge deal on a team-friendly deal, the extra $500K-1M you'd spend this year and next would be worth it.

I admit that you're getting into really nebulous thought there - every player is wired differently and might not see things the same way I'm presenting them - but I think it's low risk enough to take a stab at seeing if it works out.
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