They're going to have a real tough time moving him without either retaining money or adding a sweetener. He's got plenty of game left but he's not going to be worth what he gets paid/his AAV
- eichiefs9

How do you give these types of contracts to players that do not generate offense?

How do you give these types of contracts to players that do not generate offense?
- ses111

They got their money's worth out of it. Couple of good runs and competitive years, this now it's entered the "cost of doing business" phase. They tried to shoot their shot and fell just short two years in a row, I can live with it.

They got their money's worth out of it. Couple of good runs and competitive years, this now it's entered the "cost of doing business" phase. They tried to shoot their shot and fell just short two years in a row, I can live with it.
- eichiefs9

JGP should make no more than 3 mill. The cost of doing business needs to change.

They got their money's worth out of it. Couple of good runs and competitive years, this now it's entered the "cost of doing business" phase. They tried to shoot their shot and fell just short two years in a row, I can live with it.
- eichiefs9

Yep agreed so can I. Now it’s time to accept reality and do what’s right to make this team competitive again while some of these guys are still in their prime. Doing what we’ve done the last three seasons again and expecting a different result would be beyond moronic. It would also push some of our viable players past their prime without being truly competitive. I fully expect Lou to do exactly that.

Hoping to squeak into the first round, maybe, and win a game or two?
- Cptmjl

Haha. I get it, but for this upcoming year, as it’s always about now, getting rid of your best player doesn’t fix the problem. I’d sooner they get rid of Lee (some rebuilding team would take him) and try and rid Pageau’s contract.

The need for this team is a 1LW and a solid vet dman who can log minutes. If the isles could have a top 5 in the league PP that’s a major upgrade. You can sprinkle in any holes via free agency.

I agree with all that 100%

I think when fans in general disagree on this subject it stems from where they see the organization as a whole. I think they're very much on a glidepath to being a lottery team and that they can accelerate the turnaround by trading their best all-around player who is going into his last season under contract for a large haul. Maybe that's now, maybe it's at the deadline. But after this season the value from his contract will be gone when he gets a big raise and starts his next deal at age 34. That's not a contract that will age well at all and I don't believe that (as currently constructed) the Islanders will be all that competitive next season. So for me, it's a no-brainer to move him when his value is at it's peak.

Realistically speaking, I would agree with you that I don't see Lou trading him either.
- eichiefs9

Totally get it, but imo his peak value is at the trade deadline to a cup contender looking to add a major asset at a very low cost. To me, it’s a free look to keep him until then and see how this season shakes out.
I do think Lou is active at the draft and July 1st. We shall see..

JGP should make no more than 3 mill. The cost of doing business needs to change.
- ses111

At the time JGP was a good pickup I thought for faceoffs etc. I just never see him scoring a big goal. The last few years he’s really become unnoticeable

Haha. I get it, but for this upcoming year, as it’s always about now, getting rid of your best player doesn’t fix the problem. I’d sooner they get rid of Lee (some rebuilding team would take him) and try and rid Pageau’s contract.

The need for this team is a 1LW and a solid vet dman who can log minutes. If the isles could have a top 5 in the league PP that’s a major upgrade. You can sprinkle in any holes via free agency.
- kindlyrick

Im going to go with I doubt it on this one. I keep saying the Sabres as a possibility bcs they may be looking for vet leadership but I don’t think Lee would be part of that equation. Let’s not forget even if there were a team that would be willing to add him, and Lou wanted to trade him to begin with(which I doubt), Lee would have to approve said trade…

Also, I think you make it sound so easy when you say “sprinkle any holes via free agency”. When has that ever been simple for this team let alone Lou? Past history tells us never.

Im going to go with I doubt it on this one. I keep saying the Sabres as a possibility bcs they may be looking for vet leadership but I don’t think Lee would be part of that equation. Let’s not forget even if there were a team that would be willing to add him, and Lou wanted to trade him to begin with(which I doubt), Lee would have to approve said trade…
- Cptmjl

I think the Sabres would be a good fit. Perhaps Utah HC (ridiculous name) might want a captain? He’s from Minnesota so maybe he’s down to finish it out at home?? It would require Lee accepting the deal but stranger things have happened.

This team was basically middle sixers, save for a few players. The need was and is a 1LW. That must be addressed. Anything else is a lateral move. I think Lou is aware and will be active for it. We shall see

At the time JGP was a good pickup I thought for faceoffs etc. I just never see him scoring a big goal. The last few years he’s really become unnoticeable
- kindlyrick

JGP is a nice player, but you cannot overpay bottom 6 players. I do not think he should be making over 5 mill for what he brings. This is an issue with these crazy salaries and contracts.

JGP is a nice player, but you cannot overpay bottom 6 players. I do not think he should be making over 5 mill for what he brings. This is an issue with these crazy salaries and contracts.
- ses111

The price wasn’t as egregious then as it is now. If the guy would put up some pts I’d have no issue. He’s just been a non factor the last few years. Buy him out or try and move him

Im going to go with I doubt it on this one. I keep saying the Sabres as a possibility bcs they may be looking for vet leadership but I don’t think Lee would be part of that equation. Let’s not forget even if there were a team that would be willing to add him, and Lou wanted to trade him to begin with(which I doubt), Lee would have to approve said trade…

Also, I think you make it sound so easy when you say “sprinkle any holes via free agency”. When has that ever been simple for this team let alone Lou? Past history tells us never.
- Cptmjl

Lee's full NTC has converted to a modified. He has a 15 team no-trade list. Still highly unlikely anyone wants him.

Lee's full NTC has converted to a modified. He has a 15 team no-trade list. Still highly unlikely anyone wants him.
- eichiefs9

Lou has a history with Billy Guerin. Lee is from Minnesota. A guy can dream…

Lee's full NTC has converted to a modified. He has a 15 team no-trade list. Still highly unlikely anyone wants him.
- eichiefs9

I’ll also say it’s highly likely whoever would potentially want him is on that list. 😆

Ryan Suter being bought out. I can see Lou signing him to a one year 1 million.

I think the Sabres would be a good fit. Perhaps Utah HC (ridiculous name) might want a captain? He’s from Minnesota so maybe he’s down to finish it out at home?? It would require Lee accepting the deal but stranger things have happened.

This team was basically middle sixers, save for a few players. The need was and is a 1LW. That must be addressed. Anything else is a lateral move. I think Lou is aware and will be active for it. We shall see
- kindlyrick

Yeah man sorry not trying to shoot down your dreams or anything. 😆

Believe me I hope to be wrong and you right in this situation. Unfortunately, I don’t think that’ll be the case.

I’ll also say it’s highly likely whoever would potentially want him is on that list. 😆
- Cptmjl

Probably the case. But there was some talk regarding that Ullmark trade is that OTT wasn't on his list because he figured they had Korpisalo and had just extended him last summer so he didn't think they'd be an option as a trade partner for Boston.

But yes, I would agree it's highly unlikely. Maybe he wants to finish his career out in Minnesota like Rick said, I honestly wouldn't rule that one out. But this is Minnesota's brutal cap year with the Parise/Suter buyouts costing them $7.371M each on the cap, so I wouldn't bet on it.

Yeah man sorry not trying to shoot down your dreams or anything. 😆

Believe me I hope to be wrong and you right in this situation. Unfortunately, I don’t think that’ll be the case.
- Cptmjl

Haha if I had to put money on it, I’m taking your side. Just tryna be positive here

Probably the case. But there was some talk regarding that Ullmark trade is that OTT wasn't on his list because he figured they had Korpisalo and had just extended him last summer so he didn't think they'd be an option as a trade partner for Boston.

But yes, I would agree it's highly unlikely. Maybe he wants to finish his career out in Minnesota like Rick said, I honestly wouldn't rule that one out. But this is Minnesota's brutal cap year with the Parise/Suter buyouts costing them $7.371M each on the cap, so I wouldn't bet on it.
- eichiefs9

Any chance we can see a Nelson type deal like the one with the Nets and Knicks?


I hate the NBA but their offseasons are darn exciting.

Haha if I had to put money on it, I’m taking your side. Just tryna be positive here
- kindlyrick

It's very frustrating when the Islanders do not have a history of doing well during UFA even when they had the space.

It's very frustrating when the Islanders do not have a history of doing well during UFA even when they had the space.
- ses111

I think Lou swung and missed on every big name forward since he was named GM. It’s obvious this team has been without a legit top line year after year. He must address the 1W. Hopefully this is the year he can catch the fish.

Any chance we can see a Nelson type deal like the one with the Nets and Knicks?


I hate the NBA but their offseasons are darn exciting.
- ses111

I couldn't name more than maybe 5 players in the NBA so you're asking the wrong guy

I think Lou swung and missed on every big name forward since he was named GM. It’s obvious this team has been without a legit top line year after year. He must address the 1W. Hopefully this is the year he can catch the fish.
- kindlyrick

The Islanders have not been able to pivot on missing out on the top guys to getting the next level player. It's been pretty much signing bottom 6 or bottom pair dmen. Even when they have a Hall of fame GM and had a Hall of fame coach, this team is still not on most players radar.

I couldn't name more than maybe 5 players in the NBA so you're asking the wrong guy
- eichiefs9

Ha-ha! I'm not sure I can name many more. I just like the NBA system and offseasons much better.

A full rebuild is trading Bo, Barzal, Dobson, and Sorkin. Trading Nelson and Palms is not a full rebuild. I just want a solid future for this team and a team that will be a legit threat. I do not want a middle team that has to work so hard just to make the playoffs, they are gassed by the time the playoffs start.
- ses111

Nelson's a tough decision. Out of all the aging players who got long-term contracts that are OK value on the front end of the deal but ugly in the later years, he probably deserves it the most. He's been great and is playing great hockey now. But they kind of have too many of those deals on the books already.

If they don't trade him now, and then the team's back on the bubble come the trade deadline and they don't trade him then, they risk either losing him for nothing, or having another one of those deals that end up taking a valuable asset and making it an immovable, permanent fixture. It's not really just about the money they'd spend on Nelson; it's the money that won't be available to change up the mix on a team that clearly needs a shakeup, and also the assets you don't get for the player when you re-sign him. Multiply that by all the other players over the years that weren't moved but rather re-signed to similar big deals, and you have a team with a lot of immovable contracts, tight against the cap, and with not much on the way in terms of impact prospects. Maybe it doesn't start with Nelson, but at some point, they gotta start thinking about flexibility.