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

On the flipside of this, I'd say that Barry Trotz was the Marty Schottenheimer hockey. Great record, but never could really get to the big one (until Washington).
The Isles were an anomaly since they both happened in covid-shortened seasons, one of which they clearly weren't going to make the playoffs.
His tenure in Nashville was mixed IMO. Yes, they routinely put up great records, but in 15 seasons he never even made it to the conference finals. He only made it out of the first round twice. With Washington, he got bounced in the second round three consecutive seasons before finally going with a stacked Capitals team driven by Ovechkin.
It's funny that so many of those Trotz teams had great regular season records but consistently fizzled out early in the playoffs....it makes you wonder if it was system-driven fatigue

On the flipside of this, I'd say that Barry Trotz was the Marty Schottenheimer hockey. Great record, but never could really get to the big one (until Washington).
The Isles were an anomaly since they both happened in covid-shortened seasons, one of which they clearly weren't going to make the playoffs.
His tenure in Nashville was mixed IMO. Yes, they routinely put up great records, but in 15 seasons he never even made it to the conference finals. He only made it out of the first round twice. With Washington, he got bounced in the second round three consecutive seasons before finally going with a stacked Capitals team driven by Ovechkin.
It's funny that so many of those Trotz teams had great regular season records but consistently fizzled out early in the playoffs....it makes you wonder if it was system-driven fatigue
- keaner17

Could have definitely been fatigue. But that was the "old" Nashville that was just a crappy expansion town. They weren't attracting any particularly great players. Maybe that was because of Trotz or maybe not...I have no idea. But he just always seemed to be able to extract the most game from everyone and have his teams overachieve and, much like the Islanders, be much better than the sum of their parts

Darren Dreger
@DarrenDreger
As many as 8 teams swirling around the Flyers with calls on Scott Laughton. The center market is shrinking so Briere is in no rush. 1st round picks are in play, but there could be room for improvement as the week unfolds.

This is good news for Brock Nelson's asking price

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
- Upstate_isles

Everyone is missing Palmieri and Nelson resigning with the islanders.

When Lou was hired the Tavares ship had basically sailed. That was 100% on Snow.
- nyisles7

Aside from trading his rights at or before the draft there was nothing Lou could do by the time he got in.

Edit: Now that I've reading through the thread this has been said fifty times. Sorry for the repitition.

Aside from trading his rights at or before the draft there was nothing Lou could do by the time he got in.

Edit: Now that I've reading through the thread this has been said fifty times. Sorry for the repitition.
- PeteM

No worries we specialize and beating dead, rotting, corpses, of horses.

No worries we specialize and beating dead, rotting, corpses, of horses.
- Cptmjl

MARCH 4: Edmonton Oilers acquire forwards Trent Frederic, Max Jones and Petr Hauser in a three-team trade also involving the Boston Bruins and New Jersey Devils. Boston acquires defenseman Max Wanner, a 2nd-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft and a 4th-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, and New Jersey acquires forward Shane Lachance.

C'mon, Lou. You can do it, too!

I feel like a lot of these contending clubs will pay what they need too to give them whatever they need for a legit shot at a cup. Even if it were for what they deem is a third line fwd. A late first isn’t the end of the world for them. If the market is thin that’ll dictate the return. So unless some unexpected players become available both players should have some good value imo. Maybe I’m setting myself up for disappointment but I think both are worth a late first with Nelson getting something additional.
- Cptmjl

I think that is a fair settlement for the both of them.

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

I would buy what your selling.

- JohnScammo

Guy happens to be wearing a hockey jersey. Coincidence? I think not.

I would buy what your selling.
- Nfdbulldawg

Our player development has to change. It has been atrocious for years to the point that young players don’t want us to draft them.

Nelson and Palmieri playing tonight. Lou better not eat that decision.

Nelson and Palmieri playing tonight. Lou better not eat that decision.
- Cptmjl

Tonight is the beginning of the playoff push!

What was the point of that fight?

Tonight is the beginning of the playoff push!
- JimmyP

Hopefully Palms just upped his trade value.

- JohnScammo

Was that wrong? I didn't read the blog for the last few days.

What was the point of that fight?
- JimmyP

I suspect it was Lowry who requested it.

Was that wrong? I didn't read the blog for the last few days.



- JimmyP

EVERYONE on the board, in a rare show of unanimity, has given up on the season and wants Lou to start trading.

EVERYONE on the board, in a rare show of unanimity, has given up on the season and wants Lou to start trading.
- JohnScammo

I would like to welcome everyone to reality.

EVERYONE on the board, in a rare show of unanimity, has given up on the season and wants Lou to start trading.
- JohnScammo

It was a joke! I've been saying it for over a month. I didn't bother posting because it's all already been said.

Hopefully, Nelly just upped his trade value, too.

It was a joke! I've been saying it for over a month. I didn't bother posting because it's all already been said.


- JimmyP

I thought it might be, but I wasn't sure.

Not 100%. He certainly takes the Lions share of the blame. But Lou should have gotten “something” back, and conversely should have replaced him with a season or two. 6 seasons later and the best you can do for 1LW was Duclair?? The islanders are exactly where they should be….and the fault lays on the guy who’s been in charge for 6 years. Lou is a HOFer and certainly did some good for this franchise, but at this point let’s all shake hands and go our separate ways.

That article about the agents not loving Lou speaks volumes. The agents run the league make no mistake. You can’t be using tactics from 20 years ago. The world changed….no one wants to deal with that. For crying out loud the Yankees ended the no beard policy and they’re the most storied franchise in all sports.
- kindlyrick

So go out and grow a beard. Lou did more for this team than any GM since Bill Torrey.
Go ahead and tell me how Maloney, Regier, Milbury and Snow made this team more competitive or viable as a team in the NHL than Lou?