As captain, Lee can throw some big hits or get into a fight to try to fire up the team. This team is clearly not built well and that is not on Lee.
- ses111

I wouldn't be "looking" to move him, but they were willing to eat some money (they have 0/3 retained-salary transactions on the books, presently) and could get a 1st rounder for him I'd do it. I think another GM would be smart to add a guy like Lee for the remainder of this season and all of next with the cap rising. Lee at, say, $5M is palatable for almost any team given how much the cap will jump for next year.

Season over or not, Lou took the reins May 22, 2018. Not ideal timing but as I said before, you give him a week and then he’s moved. For whatever the best return is. No one woulda looked back and said Lou sucks for only getting a second rounder for a former first overall in June. But, I will say he’s a fool for allowing him to get to July 1st.
Regardless of that one situation, 6 years later and we’re looking up in the standings. If I’m the ownership I thank Lou for all the good he’s done and move in a new direction. One that will re tool and eat a few years of suck in order to accumulate picks and develope prospects.
If I’m ownership I find out who the best team of scouts are and bring them in right after a new GM is named. Then I revamp the entire Bridgeport organization. How they can suck for this long is on Lou (indirectly).
- kindlyrick

No team was going to give up a 2nd round pick simply for the rights to negotiate with Tavares, a guy who had made it abundantly clear in the media that he was going to test the market. Those types of trades do take place occasionally, and they typically bring back 4th, 5th, 6th, or 7th round picks. Because JT was a very good player, maybe you could get a conditional 3rd round pick, with the condition being that Tavares sign with the acquiring team. But if you think you have a realistic chance to re-sign the guy, why would you give up that chance for a conditional 3rd rounder? Makes no sense...

Snow could have received first round picks/Grade A prospects at the trade deadline. That's where the blame lies. Lou has made enough mistakes that you don't need to blame him for Snow's mistakes, too.

I wouldn't be "looking" to move him, but they were willing to eat some money (they have 0/3 retained-salary transactions on the books, presently) and could get a 1st rounder for him I'd do it. I think another GM would be smart to add a guy like Lee for the remainder of this season and all of next with the cap rising. Lee at, say, $5M is palatable for almost any team given how much the cap will jump for next year.
- eichiefs9

I would have no issue moving Lee at this point. Nelson, Palms, JGP, Lee can all go.

No team was going to give up a 2nd round pick simply for the rights to negotiate with Tavares, a guy who had made it abundantly clear in the media that he was going to test the market. Those types of trades do take place occasionally, and they typically bring back 4th, 5th, 6th, or 7th round picks. Because JT was a very good player, maybe you could get a conditional 3rd round pick, with the condition being that Tavares sign with the acquiring team. But if think you have a realistic chance to re-sign the guy, why would you give up that chance for a conditional 3rd rounder? Makes no sense...

Snow could have received first round picks/Grade A prospects at the trade deadline. That's where the blame lies. Lou has made enough mistakes that you don't need to blame him for Snow's mistakes, too.
- JohnScammo

I agree. Trading JT after the season before UFA season was not bringing back much.

Snow already put the whole thing in motion. Can’t blame Lou for that one. He tried to piece it back together but by then it was too late. I would think Tavares and the Leafs was already a done deal by that point.
- Cptmjl

Personally, I think the blame rests somewhere between Snow and ownership. I don't discount Snow's assertion that ownership was dead set against trading JT at the deadline, since they were essentially a new ownership group and desperately trying to repair the club's image. I also think ownership already knew that Lou was a strong option for the GM role and were willing to bet that he may be able to convince JT the club was about to turn things around with his addition. I would imagine that Snow had to have also given them some idea that JT truly was undecided, which was wrong.

Then of course there's JT, who mislead the franchise and its fans. I don't think he ever had any intention of staying so long as Toronto was in play.

Personally, I think the blame rests somewhere between Snow and ownership. I don't discount Snow's assertion that ownership was dead set against trading JT at the deadline, since they were essentially a new ownership group and desperately trying to repair the club's image. I also think ownership already knew that Lou was a strong option for the GM role and were willing to bet that he may be able to convince JT the club was about to turn things around with his addition. I would imagine that Snow had to have also given them some idea that JT truly was undecided, which was wrong.

Then of course there's JT, who mislead the franchise and its fans. I don't think he ever had any intention of staying so long as Toronto was in play.
- keaner17

I agree keaner. Ownership as to take some blame. They probably thought Lou would be able to convince JT.

I wouldn't be "looking" to move him, but they were willing to eat some money (they have 0/3 retained-salary transactions on the books, presently) and could get a 1st rounder for him I'd do it. I think another GM would be smart to add a guy like Lee for the remainder of this season and all of next with the cap rising. Lee at, say, $5M is palatable for almost any team given how much the cap will jump for next year.
- eichiefs9

Honestly, Anders has had a great season and has been a damn good Islander over the years. That said, I do think some of the carryover of the Snow culture happened with guys like Nelson, Lee, Cizikas, etc. It's why I'd really like to see us make a clean sweep and move on from them. They're all getting long in tooth and can bring back decent returns (in theory).
If it were me in their position, I'd deal Palms, Nelson and Pags now. All three could be highly valuable to a playoff team.
I'd entertain offers for Pulock. I'd also consider dealing DeAngelo if he can get a 2nd or 3rd, unless he truly wants to stay, at which point I'd be moving someone else on the blueline. Then I'd see what the market looks like for Anders.

We do risk flooding our own market, but we can come away with a treasure trove of picks and prospects along with plenty of $$ to spend in the offseason. We just can't keep up the charade that this team is a player or two away from the end goal.

https://www.nhl.com/news/...ws-and-notes-march-4-2025

No real news. Just confirmation that the Islanders, Nelson and Palmieri, are at the forefront of trade rumors.

I agree keaner. Ownership as to take some blame. They probably thought Lou would be able to convince JT.
- ses111

I do also wonder if JT had a friend or two with Toronto who strongly warned against staying for Lou's tenure.

I do also wonder if JT had a friend or two with Toronto who strongly warned against staying for Lou's tenure.
- keaner17

It's possible keaner. I still think JT would not have loved playing in Barry's defensive system.

Honestly, Anders has had a great season and has been a damn good Islander over the years. That said, I do think some of the carryover of the Snow culture happened with guys like Nelson, Lee, Cizikas, etc. It's why I'd really like to see us make a clean sweep and move on from them. They're all getting long in tooth and can bring back decent returns (in theory).
If it were me in their position, I'd deal Palms, Nelson and Pags now. All three could be highly valuable to a playoff team.
I'd entertain offers for Pulock. I'd also consider dealing DeAngelo if he can get a 2nd or 3rd, unless he truly wants to stay, at which point I'd be moving someone else on the blueline. Then I'd see what the market looks like for Anders.

We do risk flooding our own market, but we can come away with a treasure trove of picks and prospects along with plenty of $$ to spend in the offseason. We just can't keep up the charade that this team is a player or two away from the end goal.
- keaner17

Islanders are long overdue for a roster makeover. Just moving Nelson and Palms is not enough.

Honestly, Anders has had a great season and has been a damn good Islander over the years. That said, I do think some of the carryover of the Snow culture happened with guys like Nelson, Lee, Cizikas, etc. It's why I'd really like to see us make a clean sweep and move on from them. They're all getting long in tooth and can bring back decent returns (in theory).
If it were me in their position, I'd deal Palms, Nelson and Pags now. All three could be highly valuable to a playoff team.
I'd entertain offers for Pulock. I'd also consider dealing DeAngelo if he can get a 2nd or 3rd, unless he truly wants to stay, at which point I'd be moving someone else on the blueline. Then I'd see what the market looks like for Anders.

We do risk flooding our own market, but we can come away with a treasure trove of picks and prospects along with plenty of $$ to spend in the offseason. We just can't keep up the charade that this team is a player or two away from the end goal.
- keaner17

I agree about Nelson and Palmieri, and I would be open to trading guys, like Pageau, who are not on expiring contracts if the price were right. However, Pulock has a Full NTC in his contract. Not sure how they would deal with that, and whether it would be worth it.

Personally, I think the blame rests somewhere between Snow and ownership. I don't discount Snow's assertion that ownership was dead set against trading JT at the deadline, since they were essentially a new ownership group and desperately trying to repair the club's image. I also think ownership already knew that Lou was a strong option for the GM role and were willing to bet that he may be able to convince JT the club was about to turn things around with his addition. I would imagine that Snow had to have also given them some idea that JT truly was undecided, which was wrong.

Then of course there's JT, who mislead the franchise and its fans. I don't think he ever had any intention of staying so long as Toronto was in play.
- keaner17

Well said

Honestly, Anders has had a great season and has been a damn good Islander over the years. That said, I do think some of the carryover of the Snow culture happened with guys like Nelson, Lee, Cizikas, etc. It's why I'd really like to see us make a clean sweep and move on from them. They're all getting long in tooth and can bring back decent returns (in theory).
If it were me in their position, I'd deal Palms, Nelson and Pags now. All three could be highly valuable to a playoff team.
I'd entertain offers for Pulock. I'd also consider dealing DeAngelo if he can get a 2nd or 3rd, unless he truly wants to stay, at which point I'd be moving someone else on the blueline. Then I'd see what the market looks like for Anders.

We do risk flooding our own market, but we can come away with a treasure trove of picks and prospects along with plenty of $$ to spend in the offseason. We just can't keep up the charade that this team is a player or two away from the end goal.
- keaner17

The good thing with Lee is that they don't have to do anything. They can play the "he's our captain and we're not going to just dump him" card with anyone who asks, which would either prevent them for moving him for nothing or work to jack the price up as much as is possible. The downside of that is if he doesn't have a good year next year he's probably not worth anything that moves the needle at the deadline and they'll have lost a lot of leverage.

It's possible keaner. I still think JT would not have loved playing in Barry's defensive system.
- ses111

There's another person to blame in all of that too who may have played the biggest role.
Tavares' agent Pat Brisson. Tavares was reportedly very close to staying with the Isles when Brisson actually recommended he test the market. As an agent, Brisson probably had plenty of other sources to deter Tavares from staying in NY and opting to look elsewhere. There were reportedly a fair amount of players who had played in Trotz system for years and didn't like it. It wouldn't be out of the realm of possiblity to think that Brisson may have represented players with bad experiences with either or Lou or Barry

The good thing with Lee is that they don't have to do anything. They can play the "he's our captain and we're not going to just dump him" card with anyone who asks, which would either prevent them for moving him for nothing or work to jack the price up as much as is possible. The downside of that is if he doesn't have a good year next year he's probably not worth anything that moves the needle at the deadline and they'll have lost a lot of leverage.
- eichiefs9

Very true. He's only worth the money he vacates...which ain't nothing for us!

There's another person to blame in all of that too who may have played the biggest role.
Tavares' agent Pat Brisson. Tavares was reportedly very close to staying with the Isles when Brisson actually recommended he test the market. As an agent, Brisson probably had plenty of other sources to deter Tavares from staying in NY and opting to look elsewhere. There were reportedly a fair amount of players who had played in Trotz system for years and didn't like it. It wouldn't be out of the realm of possiblity to think that Brisson may have represented players with bad experiences with either or Lou or Barry
- keaner17

Good point about Brisson keaner. Barry is an all time great coach, but offensive numbers suffer under that system. They did with Barzal and numbers are important to players. Players want to win and put up good numbers.

The good thing with Lee is that they don't have to do anything. They can play the "he's our captain and we're not going to just dump him" card with anyone who asks, which would either prevent them for moving him for nothing or work to jack the price up as much as is possible. The downside of that is if he doesn't have a good year next year he's probably not worth anything that moves the needle at the deadline and they'll have lost a lot of leverage.
- eichiefs9

This would be the year and time to move Lee with the playoffs coming up.

Good point about Brisson keaner. Barry is an all time great coach, but offensive numbers suffer under that system. They did with Barzal and numbers are important to players.
- ses111

I can't remember where I saw it, but shortly before his dismissal, there were reports that some former players in both Nashville and Washington (anonymously of course) expressed that his system was 'mindless' and mentally fatiguing for players to be part of.
The contention that players from both teams had said that would make me think word had probably travelled far. So it's not too far-fetched to think that Brisson could have forewarned JT about that... Perhaps it wasn't decision-altering, but it certainly could have weighed in.

I can't remember where I saw it, but shortly before his dismissal, there were reports that some former players in both Nashville and Washington (anonymously of course) expressed that his system was 'mindless' and mentally fatiguing for players to be part of.
The contention that players from both teams had said that would make me think word had probably travelled far. So it's not too far-fetched to think that Brisson could have forewarned JT about that... Perhaps it wasn't decision-altering, but it certainly could have weighed in.
- keaner17

It sure seems like a tough system to play and it takes its toll after a while. There needs to be a happy medium where it's not all run and gun with no defense, but still, you need offense and let players be creative.

It sure seems like a tough system to play and it takes its toll after a while. There needs to be a happy medium where it's not all run and gun with no defense, but still, you need offense and let players be creative.
- ses111

Many years ago, I remember seeing an interview with Mike Bossy where he said that the players hated Al Arbour's defensive drills. He said it was much more fun playing offense. But he also credited those defensive drills for the 4 Stanley Cups.

Many years ago, I remember seeing an interview with Mike Bossy where he said that the players hated Al Arbour's defensive drills. He said it was much more fun playing offense. But he also credited those defensive drills for the 4 Stanley Cups.
- JohnScammo

Yeah I kinda never understood the word out there that a lot of players didn't like Barry's system. It sure wasn't shinny, but he had a lot of success with very minimal talent on a lot of those Preds teams. He got WSH their first Cup, and dragged the lowly Islanders to two consecutive ECF's. I'd watch paint dry if it meant I could win.

During Monday night’s edition of “The Latest” on TFP, David Pagnotta reported trade talks are indeed underway and the Islanders are now open to moving Nelson, Palmieri and possibly others.

“What I can tell you is speaking to sources across the league, the Islanders were engaged and had started trade talks involving some of their players, I believe that includes Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri, earlier today, and those talks will continue throughout the week,” Pagnotta said. “The loss pretty much, effectively, puts them into the seller’s market. They will continue those discussions involving those players. There has been interest in others, including Jean-Gabriel Pageau, as well.

“They have a game on Tuesday against Winnipeg. I don’t think that’s going to matter much based on what haappened (Monday) evening in their loss to the Rangers but it certainly seems like the New York Islanders are going to be open for business to a certain extent.”
- kindlyrick

This guy had kardi as a lock to the isles a while back. Not saying he's wrong just this news isn't coming from the isles front office

Many years ago, I remember seeing an interview with Mike Bossy where he said that the players hated Al Arbour's defensive drills. He said it was much more fun playing offense. But he also credited those defensive drills for the 4 Stanley Cups.
- JohnScammo

Even Al's system was probably not as locked down as Barry's. As a fan, I just want my team to win. Fans do not have to play the system. Players do and offensive type players want to have freedom to play offense.

Yeah I kinda never understood the word out there that a lot of players didn't like Barry's system. It sure wasn't shinny, but he had a lot of success with very minimal talent on a lot of those Preds teams. He got WSH their first Cup, and dragged the lowly Islanders to two consecutive ECF's. I'd watch paint dry if it meant I could win.
- eichiefs9

Players want it all. They want to win and have fun playing the game and they want to put up big numbers to get the big money. Fans just want to win and do not need to worry about the system. I was not a fan of the Trap, but the Cup wins were nice for the Devils fans.