Ben Shelley: Islanders sign Anthony Duclair, extend Mike Reilly

OTT traded Mathieu Joseph to STL.

Must be clearing cap space for the Pageau+ trade for Pinto

OTT traded Mathieu Joseph to STL.

Must be clearing cap space for the Pageau+ trade for Pinto
- eichiefs9

Nice thought chief. I think Utah can also use Lee.

OTT traded Mathieu Joseph to STL.

Must be clearing cap space for the Pageau+ trade for Pinto
- eichiefs9

I hope so!

Nice thought chief. I think Utah can also use Lee.

- ses111

Would be amazing

I hope so!
- LItransplant44

Sadly I assume that is Ottawa clearing cap space to sign him. But you never know.

OTT traded Mathieu Joseph to STL.

Must be clearing cap space for the Pageau+ trade for Pinto
- eichiefs9

Be nice, bring Pinto home.

Nice thought chief. I think Utah can also use Lee.

- ses111

Please baby Jesus.

Please baby Jesus.
- HolyDiver83

No way the Islanders are moving Lee this year. Maybe they can with a year left on the deal?

No way the Islanders are moving Lee this year. Maybe they can with a year left on the deal?
- ses111

Here’s to hoping this seasons performance is more like last years playoffs where he showed flashes of the 40 goal season Lee

Here’s to hoping this seasons performance is more like last years playoffs where he showed flashes of the 40 goal season Lee
- kindlyrick

May as well hope for the best bcs he isn’t going anywhere. Also, Pinto signed in Ottawa for those who actually thought there was a chance we were getting him.

May as well hope for the best bcs he isn’t going anywhere. Also, Pinto signed in Ottawa for those who actually thought there was a chance we were getting him.
- Cptmjl

While we are hoping for the best...
Maybe a sign and trade



XxNYIxX

While we are hoping for the best...
Maybe a sign and trade



XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

X is back.

Isles signed Fredrik Karlstrom from Dallas

Nice thought chief. I think Utah can also use Lee.

- ses111

I would drive him 3/4 of the way across the country to get rid of that contract

Lee is not going anywhere right now. Lou sealed that theory when he had Lee at the draft introducing and meeting with the picks.

Lee is not going anywhere right now. Lou sealed that theory when he had Lee at the draft introducing and meeting with the picks.
- Nfdbulldawg

It was sealed when he signed that contract and we all knew the last couple of years were going to suck. Nobody is taking that on.

X is back.
- ses111

- eichiefs9

Lee is not going anywhere right now. Lou sealed that theory when he had Lee at the draft introducing and meeting with the picks.
- Nfdbulldawg

Yeah I think it’s normal for a team to have their captain at the draft. But I think that Lee’s value has declined because his game doesn’t match today’s NHL of speed speed speed. I do think he has value in front of the net, but that shoulda been Mark Parrish money, not 7 million.

Yeah I think it’s normal for a team to have their captain at the draft. But I think that Lee’s value has declined because his game doesn’t match today’s NHL of speed speed speed. I do think he has value in front of the net, but that shoulda been Mark Parrish money, not 7 million.
- kindlyrick

It's a terrible contract, but I can't really blame Lou for having to do it when they were shocking the world as a competitive team after Tavares left.

For one, they made it to the second round of the playoffs in the season immediately following Tavares' departure when most people thought they'd be hot garbage. They were clearly not a lottery team and needed to keep Lee in the fold.

Not to mention, they were one offseason removed from losing a high profile free agent. It would have been a really bad look if their new captain left as a UFA the next summer too. It was an important message to send to the fans and the rest of the league.

That was a contract where there were extenuating circumstances that made it necessary to do and I won't kill the guy for that. I hope he can get out of it early, but if not then so be it. I will happily criticize him for stupid and unnecessary deals like Engvall and Mayfield.

It's a terrible contract, but I can't really blame Lou for having to do it when they were shocking the world as a competitive team after Tavares left.

For one, they made it to the second round of the playoffs in the season immediately following Tavares' departure when most people thought they'd be hot garbage. They were clearly not a lottery team and needed to keep Lee in the fold.

Not to mention, they were one offseason removed from losing a high profile free agent. It would have been a really bad look if their new captain left as a UFA the next summer too. It was an important message to send to the fans and the rest of the league.

That was a contract where there were extenuating circumstances that made it necessary to do and I won't kill the guy for that. I hope he can get out of it early, but if not then so be it. I will happily criticize him for stupid and unnecessary deals like Engvall and Mayfield.
- eichiefs9

I get why it was done, and in theory it’s the same mindset as the Engvall and Mayfield contracts whereby he had to throw money at guys to keep them. In fairness to Lou he inherited a crap roster with a never before seen first overall jumping ship at the 25th hour.
That said, I’m leaning towards Lou being past his prime in the league. I feel as though the old school ways are no more. Today’s world is different than 10 years ago. The younger generation is different and don’t wanna be told to shave daily. I don’t know if that’s the reason why he can’t sign top UFAs but 5 years later and the isles are still a bubble team. I will always watch, but if after this year they’re a perennial 8th seed, I think it’s time to move in a new direction as far as GM goes

It's a terrible contract, but I can't really blame Lou for having to do it when they were shocking the world as a competitive team after Tavares left.

For one, they made it to the second round of the playoffs in the season immediately following Tavares' departure when most people thought they'd be hot garbage. They were clearly not a lottery team and needed to keep Lee in the fold.

Not to mention, they were one offseason removed from losing a high profile free agent. It would have been a really bad look if their new captain left as a UFA the next summer too. It was an important message to send to the fans and the rest of the league.

That was a contract where there were extenuating circumstances that made it necessary to do and I won't kill the guy for that. I hope he can get out of it early, but if not then so be it. I will happily criticize him for stupid and unnecessary deals like Engvall and Mayfield.
- eichiefs9

The Lee deal was not as cut and dried as the Pierre and Mayfield deals. I still think players of Lee's age at the time and style of play should get no more than 5 years. There needs to be some sanity with these deals.

I get why it was done, and in theory it’s the same mindset as the Engvall and Mayfield contracts whereby he had to throw money at guys to keep them. In fairness to Lou he inherited a crap roster with a never before seen first overall jumping ship at the 25th hour.
That said, I’m leaning towards Lou being past his prime in the league. I feel as though the old school ways are no more. Today’s world is different than 10 years ago. The younger generation is different and don’t wanna be told to shave daily. I don’t know if that’s the reason why he can’t sign top UFAs but 5 years later and the isles are still a bubble team. I will always watch, but if after this year they’re a perennial 8th seed, I think it’s time to move in a new direction as far as GM goes
- kindlyrick

I definitely think he's past his prime, just trying to be objective in where I criticize him or not.

I don't think he "had to" keep Engvall or Mayfield in the fold. Especially not Engvall. Mayfield, even though I'd vehemently disagree with the concept, I can at least understand because he's been an Isles lifer. But both players were/are entirely replaceable and there was no need to dole out a collective 14 years of contracts for them.

I would love to see the Isles sign Daniel Sprong. Consistently one of the most underrated players in the league and has speed to boot. Only made $2M last year. They'd have to clear out some money to make it happen, but I think it would be a good add. They can bury Gauthier and dump Fasching to save around $1.5M.