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Forums :: Blog World :: Ben Shelley: Islanders' four-game win streak breathes life into playoff hopes
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Cptmjl
New York Islanders
Joined: 11.05.2011

Mar 8 @ 8:37 AM ET
Judging by the isles first round picks in the last 2-3 decades, if they can trade the first for an impact player now I’m all for it. The common theme of the Snow era draft picks were “high character” guys which wasn’t really the recipe for success as seen by so many first round misses.

I wonder if when Lou took over the isles scouting remained the same, or if he brought in his own people.

- kindlyrick

Agree to disagree on this one. Can’t keep trading these picks away and expect to have a truly competitive team especially in todays NHL with the cap. That formula hasn’t ever worked.

Have to inject some youth into the lineup. If it’s for a young player like he did with Romanov then I’m more on board with it. Not sure where an opportunity like that exists though…
Nfdbulldawg
New York Islanders
Location: NY
Joined: 06.29.2007

Mar 8 @ 8:37 AM ET
Hot dog vendor made me laugh. The coliseum used to have the absolute saltiest popcorn I’ve ever had in my life.
- kindlyrick


It had to cover up how stale it was...lol
Cptmjl
New York Islanders
Joined: 11.05.2011

Mar 8 @ 8:39 AM ET
It had to cover up how stale it was...lol
- Nfdbulldawg

100% 😂

Hands would get swollen from the massive amounts of salt you’d intake from eating it. 😂
Nfdbulldawg
New York Islanders
Location: NY
Joined: 06.29.2007

Mar 8 @ 8:41 AM ET
Agree to disagree on this one. Can’t keep trading these picks away and expect to have a truly competitive team especially in todays NHL with the cap. That formula hasn’t ever worked.

Have to inject some youth into the lineup. If it’s for a young player like he did with Romanov then I’m more on board with it. Not sure where an opportunity like that exists though…

- Cptmjl


What if it is for Pinto? Is it worth it? 🤔 I am usually all for trading picks. However this go around i am more inclined to hold on to it and do something at draft. Either pick or trade then.

I do not believe this team is a player away. Just my opinion.


kindlyrick
New York Islanders
Location: Dallas, TX
Joined: 06.21.2007

Mar 8 @ 8:52 AM ET
Agree to disagree on this one. Can’t keep trading these picks away and expect to have a truly competitive team especially in todays NHL with the cap. That formula hasn’t ever worked.

Have to inject some youth into the lineup. If it’s for a young player like he did with Romanov then I’m more on board with it. Not sure where an opportunity like that exists though…

- Cptmjl


I’m not interested in following the Rangers model of trading picks for high priced stars. I’m only interested in moving the first rounder for a piece to the puzzle.
kindlyrick
New York Islanders
Location: Dallas, TX
Joined: 06.21.2007

Mar 8 @ 8:52 AM ET
100% 😂

Hands would get swollen from the massive amounts of salt you’d intake from eating it. 😂

- Cptmjl


Swollen and burning lips 😂
kindlyrick
New York Islanders
Location: Dallas, TX
Joined: 06.21.2007

Mar 8 @ 8:54 AM ET
What if it is for Pinto? Is it worth it? 🤔 I am usually all for trading picks. However this go around i am more inclined to hold on to it and do something at draft. Either pick or trade then.

I do not believe this team is a player away. Just my opinion.

- Nfdbulldawg


I truly believe in today’s NHL anyone who makes the playoffs can win. You don’t see dynasty’s in hockey anymore because there’s so many good teams. If you make it to post season, all it takes is a hot goalie and some lucky bounces.
ses111
New York Islanders
Joined: 06.07.2008

Mar 8 @ 9:14 AM ET
What if it is for Pinto? Is it worth it? 🤔 I am usually all for trading picks. However this go around i am more inclined to hold on to it and do something at draft. Either pick or trade then.

I do not believe this team is a player away. Just my opinion.

- Nfdbulldawg


The team not being a player away is a good reason to not trade the #1 pick.
ses111
New York Islanders
Joined: 06.07.2008

Mar 8 @ 9:23 AM ET
I truly believe in today’s NHL anyone who makes the playoffs can win. You don’t see dynasty’s in hockey anymore because there’s so many good teams. If you make it to post season, all it takes is a hot goalie and some lucky bounces.
- kindlyrick


You need timely goal scoring as well which the Islanders have not had in the past. Hopefully it will not be an issue if the team makes the playoffs this year.
kindlyrick
New York Islanders
Location: Dallas, TX
Joined: 06.21.2007

Mar 8 @ 9:34 AM ET
You need timely goal scoring as well which the Islanders have not had in the past. Hopefully it will not be an issue if the team makes the playoffs this year.
- ses111



They scored 7 last night. Granted that goalie performance was worse than the Koskinen, Poulin, Nilsson days.

I do think the isles are looking for some scoring depth in the top 6. Nelson really rounded out the first line. If the isles could land Toffoli, I wouldn’t be upset.
keaner17
New York Islanders
Location: Prepared for the worst
Joined: 07.12.2007

Mar 8 @ 9:37 AM ET
Judging by the isles first round picks in the last 2-3 decades, if they can trade the first for an impact player now I’m all for it. The common theme of the Snow era draft picks were “high character” guys which wasn’t really the recipe for success as seen by so many first round misses.

I wonder if when Lou took over the isles scouting remained the same, or if he brought in his own people.

- kindlyrick


Agreed. I posted a couple of weeks ago: around 70% of first round picks go on to play at least 50 games. When you get to 200 games, it drops significantly. Then if you cancel out top 10 picks, it drops ike a rock.
Point being, the value returned for first round picks is almost always a better risk than the oick itself.
ses111
New York Islanders
Joined: 06.07.2008

Mar 8 @ 9:39 AM ET
They scored 7 last night. Granted that goalie performance was worse than the Koskinen, Poulin, Nilsson days.

I do think the isles are looking for some scoring depth in the top 6. Nelson really rounded out the first line. If the isles could land Toffoli, I wouldn’t be upset.

- kindlyrick


Playoffs are a different animal. They are not going to be facing that goalie and the checking will be tight.
kindlyrick
New York Islanders
Location: Dallas, TX
Joined: 06.21.2007

Mar 8 @ 9:49 AM ET
Playoffs are a different animal. They are not going to be facing that goalie and the checking iwill be tight.
- ses111


Agreed, I’m not laying down money on the isles winning the cup but I do think if you make it anyone can win.
keaner17
New York Islanders
Location: Prepared for the worst
Joined: 07.12.2007

Mar 8 @ 9:50 AM ET
I think if Nelson is to remain at LW with 13 and 14, the Isles should look into adding a strong 2c in the offseason. (Pageau ain't it..)
JohnScammo
New York Islanders
Location: Coming to a jail near you
Joined: 10.14.2014

Mar 8 @ 9:51 AM ET
Agreed. I posted a couple of weeks ago: around 70% of first round picks go on to play at least 50 games. When you get to 200 games, it drops significantly. Then if you cancel out top 10 picks, it drops ike a rock.
Point being, the value returned for first round picks is almost always a better risk than the oick itself.

- keaner17

Yup, Wahlstrom is a good example of how drafting is a bit of a crapshoot. He was considered a solid pick at #11 overall. It wasn't a matter of weak scouting. But now multiple coaches have all but given up on him.

Then if the Isles make the playoffs, they wouldn't even be picking as high as #15. So if there's a significant upgrade available, Lou may well go for it. And I wouldn't blame him.... I just hope he doesn't trade for Engvall's brother.
keaner17
New York Islanders
Location: Prepared for the worst
Joined: 07.12.2007

Mar 8 @ 9:53 AM ET
Playoffs are a different animal. They are not going to be facing that goalie and the checking will be tight.
- ses111

I don't think anyone in the East blows me away, to be honest. Let's face it, If the Isles didn't keep going into 3rd period meltdown mode under Lane, we could be at least 2nd in this division and 4th in the conference.

Just keep Mayfield off the ice
JohnScammo
New York Islanders
Location: Coming to a jail near you
Joined: 10.14.2014

Mar 8 @ 9:55 AM ET
I don't think anyone in the East blows me away, to be honest. Let's face it, If the Isles didn't keep going into 3rd period meltdown mode under Lane, we could be at least 2nd in this division and 4th in the conference.

Just keep Mayfield off the ice

- keaner17

Save Mayfield for the playoffs where he shines.
ses111
New York Islanders
Joined: 06.07.2008

Mar 8 @ 9:57 AM ET
Yup, Wahlstrom is a good example of how drafting is a bit of a crapshoot. He was considered a solid pick at #11 overall. It wasn't a matter of weak scouting. But now multiple coaches have all but given up on him.

Then if the Isles make the playoffs, they wouldn't even be picking as high as #15. So if there's a significant upgrade available, Lou may well go for it. And I wouldn't blame him.... I just hope he doesn't trade for Engvall's brother.

- JohnScammo


The problem is when you are trading the #1 pick, you are not likely getting a young controlled impact type player. At least not at the deadline. You are getting a player you will need to sign for big money. It's just not smart to keep trading #1 picks. How many Cups have the Islanders won lately with this plan? I think it's time for a different approach.
kindlyrick
New York Islanders
Location: Dallas, TX
Joined: 06.21.2007

Mar 8 @ 10:21 AM ET
I think if Nelson is to remain at LW with 13 and 14, the Isles should look into adding a strong 2c in the offseason. (Pageau ain't it..)
- keaner17


Or today!!
eichiefs9
New York Islanders
Location: NY
Joined: 11.03.2008

Mar 8 @ 10:28 AM ET
Or today!!
- kindlyrick

There's really not anyone out there. Scott Laughton but he plays for a division rival who is asking a fortune for him and he's more of a 3rd line kinda guy anyway.

Unless Lou wants to get wild and try and get Kuznetsov with the money retained 2x but he may be toast anyway and would obviously be a wacky risk given his drug issues and the fact that he just got out of the player assistance program.

But if you can get two teams to retain 50% and his cap hit ends up as just under $2M for this year and next and he gets his act together...he's either a valuable 2C or a nice chip to have at next year's deadline.
JohnScammo
New York Islanders
Location: Coming to a jail near you
Joined: 10.14.2014

Mar 8 @ 10:30 AM ET
The problem is when you are trading the #1 pick, you are not likely getting a young controlled impact type player. At least not at the deadline. You are getting a player you will need to sign for big money. It's just not smart to keep trading #1 picks. How many Cups have the Islanders won lately with this plan? I think it's time for a different approach.
- ses111

And how many Cups have the Islanders won lately when they were holding onto their first round picks? Yeah, I get your point. And you can't just trade away a first round pick for anybody. But if there's an opportunity to trade the pick for an impact player who fits under the Cap.....

Just to be clear, I am fine if Lou stands pat and keeps the pick. Maybe they will find someone in the draft who is better than Wally......or DalColle......or Bellows.....or Reinhart.... It would certainly be a good idea to replenish the prospect pool in Bridgeport.
kindlyrick
New York Islanders
Location: Dallas, TX
Joined: 06.21.2007

Mar 8 @ 10:32 AM ET
There's really not anyone out there. Scott Laughton but he plays for a division rival who is asking a fortune for him and he's more of a 3rd line kinda guy anyway.

Unless Lou wants to get wild and try and get Kuznetsov with the money retained 2x but he may be toast anyway and would obviously be a wacky risk given his drug issues and the fact that he just got out of the player assistance program.

- eichiefs9


No thanks on Kuznetsov….hes a problem. I don’t think Lou (or Roy) want the risk of if he gets his act together but what do I know.

I think the isles need, if they keep Nelson as 1LW, is a 2C.
kindlyrick
New York Islanders
Location: Dallas, TX
Joined: 06.21.2007

Mar 8 @ 10:34 AM ET
And how many Cups have the Islanders won lately when they were holding onto their first round picks? Yeah, I get your point. And you can't just trade away a first round pick for anybody. But if there's an opportunity to trade the pick for an impact player who fits under the Cap.....

Just to be clear, I am fine if Lou stands pat and keeps the pick. Maybe they will find someone in the draft who is better than Wally......or DalColle......or Bellows.....or Reinhart.... It would certainly be a good idea to replenish the prospect pool in Bridgeport.

- JohnScammo



I agree with you and Lou has said as much. If there’s something out there that makes this team better the pick is up for grabs.
kindlyrick
New York Islanders
Location: Dallas, TX
Joined: 06.21.2007

Mar 8 @ 10:37 AM ET
There's really not anyone out there. Scott Laughton but he plays for a division rival who is asking a fortune for him and he's more of a 3rd line kinda guy anyway.

Unless Lou wants to get wild and try and get Kuznetsov with the money retained 2x but he may be toast anyway and would obviously be a wacky risk given his drug issues and the fact that he just got out of the player assistance program.

But if you can get two teams to retain 50% and his cap hit ends up as just under $2M for this year and next and he gets his act together...he's either a valuable 2C or a nice chip to have at next year's deadline.

- eichiefs9



Just said on NHL network Kuznetsov is being sent to canes
ses111
New York Islanders
Joined: 06.07.2008

Mar 8 @ 10:58 AM ET
And how many Cups have the Islanders won lately when they were holding onto their first round picks? Yeah, I get your point. And you can't just trade away a first round pick for anybody. But if there's an opportunity to trade the pick for an impact player who fits under the Cap.....

Just to be clear, I am fine if Lou stands pat and keeps the pick. Maybe they will find someone in the draft who is better than Wally......or DalColle......or Bellows.....or Reinhart.... It would certainly be a good idea to replenish the prospect pool in Bridgeport.

- JohnScammo


Under Lou we have not really held onto the #1 picks. We can just blame the players or the team can take some responsibility in terms of drafting and developing. Other teams manage to have a better prospect pool than the Islanders. Let’s hope the team can continue this run and make the playoffs and do some damage.
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