“Joe, you did great. You answered all of the questions!”
- Cptmjl

Lou puts little value on draft picks. He’s said that over the years in so many words multiple times. That’s reflective in the value he puts on his scouting staff I would assume.
- Cptmjl

Those Devils Cup teams were not built on the draft. Lou used his personality to acquire the players like Marty B and Scotty R. It's incredible how Lou forgot the thing that made him a success.

Those Devils Cup teams were not built on the draft. Lou used his personality to acquire the players like Marty B and Scotty R. It's incredible how Lou forgot the thing that made him a success.
- ses111

I mean we’re talking thirty year ago. The funny thing is now more then ever there’s a bigger dependence on younger, cheap talent due to the cap.

I mean we’re talking thirty year ago. The funny thing is now more then ever there’s a bigger dependence on younger, cheap talent due to the cap.
- Cptmjl

It's just strange why not go with what was so successful for you?

It's just strange why not go with what was so successful for you?
- ses111

I still have to imagine that ownership is standing behind him telling him to continue to go for it. They have debt payments to make from building the arena and they need the team to be competitive and people to go to games and spend money to get those loans paid off.

I still have to imagine that ownership is standing behind him telling him to continue to go for it. They have debt payments to make from building the arena and they need the team to be competitive and people to go to games and spend money to get those loans paid off.
- eichiefs9

This could be Chief. Do you think they can still be competitive enough and have enough fan support with a core of Barzal, Bo, Dobson, and Sorokin?

I still have to imagine that ownership is standing behind him telling him to continue to go for it. They have debt payments to make from building the arena and they need the team to be competitive and people to go to games and spend money to get those loans paid off.
- eichiefs9

100000% agree with this.

I still have to imagine that ownership is standing behind him telling him to continue to go for it. They have debt payments to make from building the arena and they need the team to be competitive and people to go to games and spend money to get those loans paid off.
- eichiefs9

Pretty much. poopty team empty seats. Gotta make the PO's is the marching orders.

This could be Chief. Do you think they can still be competitive enough and have enough fan support with a core of Barzal, Bo, Dobson, and Sorokin?
- ses111

"Competitive enough" is sort of a subjective term. Are they competitive enough to win a Cup? No. Are they competitive enough to hover around the last playoff spot or so? Yes, probably. That may be sufficient for ownership to maintain above average attendance during a "playoff push" down the final stretch of the season, but it's probably not going to move the needle for the overwhelming majority of fans.

Personally, I think the spot they're in is the absolute worst place to be in the NHL. To steal Frank Seravalli's term...the "mushy middle". Not bad enough to get high picks, not good enough to make the playoffs or move past the 1st round if they do. The kicker is that they're saddled down with a lot of high-dollar/term contracts for mediocre-or-worse players. The future is extremely bleak and the present is just OK.

"Competitive enough" is sort of a subjective term. Are they competitive enough to win a Cup? No. Are they competitive enough to hover around the last playoff spot or so? Yes, probably. That may be sufficient for ownership to maintain above average attendance during a "playoff push" down the final stretch of the season, but it's probably not going to move the needle for the overwhelming majority of fans.

Personally, I think the spot they're in is the absolute worst place to be in the NHL. To steal Frank Seravalli's term...the "mushy middle". Not bad enough to get high picks, not good enough to make the playoffs or move past the 1st round if they do. The kicker is that they're saddled down with a lot of high-dollar/term contracts for mediocre-or-worse players. The future is extremely bleak and the present is just OK.
- eichiefs9

Regarding the future, I liked last year and this years draft picks. I think there’s “some” positive assets.

Regarding the future, I liked last year and this years draft picks. I think there’s “some” positive assets.
- kindlyrick

Yes there's no doubt they finally have some semblance of higher end prospects in the system, but there's still not the kind of depth and/or level of skill that gives you hope.

I loved the Eiserman pick, but there's inarguably some risk with him. If he can't score goals at the NHL level he has zero value. Yes, there's risk in every pick but he's a one-trick pony. If he can't score he doesn't have the safety net of potentially being a bottom six forward. He's either going to be a top-6 goal scorer or a minor league player.

Nelson is a solid selection but he probably tops out at an upside of a 2C and that's if he reaches his full potential.

"Competitive enough" is sort of a subjective term. Are they competitive enough to win a Cup? No. Are they competitive enough to hover around the last playoff spot or so? Yes, probably. That may be sufficient for ownership to maintain above average attendance during a "playoff push" down the final stretch of the season, but it's probably not going to move the needle for the overwhelming majority of fans.

Personally, I think the spot they're in is the absolute worst place to be in the NHL. To steal Frank Seravalli's term...the "mushy middle". Not bad enough to get high picks, not good enough to make the playoffs or move past the 1st round if they do. The kicker is that they're saddled down with a lot of high-dollar/term contracts for mediocre-or-worse players. The future is extremely bleak and the present is just OK.
- eichiefs9

No question there would be some pain if they move Nelson and Palms as an example. I just do not see any other options with these players. Re-signing them or losing them for nothing does not make sense to me.


This team is stuck in thw worst possible spot. We have to hope some of the picks over the last fews years come through. The defense seems to offer more hope.

Yes there's no doubt they finally have some semblance of higher end prospects in the system, but there's still not the kind of depth and/or level of skill that gives you hope.

I loved the Eiserman pick, but there's inarguably some risk with him. If he can't score goals at the NHL level he has zero value. Yes, there's risk in every pick but he's a one-trick pony. If he can't score he doesn't have the safety net of potentially being a bottom six forward. He's either going to be a top-6 goal scorer or a minor league player.

Nelson is a solid selection but he probably tops out at an upside of a 2C and that's if he reaches his full potential.
- eichiefs9

What draft picks don't have risk associated with them?

Yes there's no doubt they finally have some semblance of higher end prospects in the system, but there's still not the kind of depth and/or level of skill that gives you hope.

I loved the Eiserman pick, but there's inarguably some risk with him. If he can't score goals at the NHL level he has zero value. Yes, there's risk in every pick but he's a one-trick pony. If he can't score he doesn't have the safety net of potentially being a bottom six forward. He's either going to be a top-6 goal scorer or a minor league player.

Nelson is a solid selection but he probably tops out at an upside of a 2C and that's if he reaches his full potential.
- eichiefs9

I wanted Eiserman or Hage. Cannot argue with the Eiserman pick.

I think Nelson could be solid pro and be at least a good 3C.

What draft picks don't have risk associated with them?
- nyisles7

All of them. Hence:

Yes there's no doubt they finally have some semblance of higher end prospects in the system, but there's still not the kind of depth and/or level of skill that gives you hope.

I loved the Eiserman pick, but there's inarguably some risk with him. If he can't score goals at the NHL level he has zero value. Yes, there's risk in every pick but he's a one-trick pony. If he can't score he doesn't have the safety net of potentially being a bottom six forward. He's either going to be a top-6 goal scorer or a minor league player.

Nelson is a solid selection but he probably tops out at an upside of a 2C and that's if he reaches his full potential.
- eichiefs9

I wanted Eiserman or Hage. Cannot argue with the Eiserman pick.

I think Nelson could be solid pro and be at least a good 3C.
- ses111

Seems like it was a good pick. I’m just happy he didn’t trade it. Off-season was all I hoped it would be so far but it’s not over yet.

Seems like it was a good pick. I’m just happy he didn’t trade it. Off-season was all I hoped it would be so far but it’s not over yet.
- Cptmjl

It was a great pick and the right one to make. But we also don't have to pretend like he's not a boom-or-bust type of prospect.

It was a great pick and the right one to make. But we also don't have to pretend like he's not a boom-or-bust type of prospect.
- eichiefs9

Speak for yourself. I would like to pretend that he’s not.

It was a great pick and the right one to make. But we also don't have to pretend like he's not a boom-or-bust type of prospect.
- eichiefs9

Hage seemed to be the safer pick.

Hage seemed to be the safer pick.
- ses111

Don't get me wrong, loved the pick. Isles need skill and he was the best at the most important/difficult skill in hockey. The kid has the talent to score 40 regularly and I'm hoping he's even better than that.

NY Post says this is the best Islanders off season since 18. Maybe even better. I can't read the whole article though.

Don't get me wrong, loved the pick. Isles need skill and he was the best at the most important/difficult skill in hockey. The kid has the talent to score 40 regularly and I'm hoping he's even better than that.
- eichiefs9

No question the Islanders can use a pure goal scorer.

NY Post says this is the best Islanders off season since 18. Maybe even better. I can't read the whole article though.
- chazpet

https://www.msn.com/en-us...452bf5f08c5c0c90420&ei=12

NY Post says this is the best Islanders off season since 18. Maybe even better. I can't read the whole article though.
- chazpet

It absolutely is. But, in fairness, they haven't had a first round pick or signed a noteworthy UFA since then either. Not to say nothing good has happened between now and then, but as far as the technical "offseason" goes (draft+free agency) this has obviously been their best since having two consecutive 1st rounders in 2018.

In case nobody caught these minor moves last night:

PuckPedia
@PuckPedia
The #Isles signed 24 y/o F Liam Foudy to 1 year deal

NHL 775K
Minors 225K
Guaranteed 275K

Was a UFA after not being qualified. Will be RFA on expiry.

PuckPedia
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·
17h
The #Isles signed 24 y/o RFA F Tyce Thompson to 1 year deal

NHL 775K
Minors 175K
Guaranteed 200K

He'll likely be a group 6 UFA on expiry