Thanks for sharing. I’m not used to a GM being vocal. Must be a French Canadian thing as the media in Canada is relentless. But man it’s nice to hear a plan and have a GM be transparent.
- kindlyrick

It's nice the Islanders have a Canadian GM again. Worked well with a guy named Bill.

Thanks for sharing. I’m not used to a GM being vocal. Must be a French Canadian thing as the media in Canada is relentless. But man it’s nice to hear a plan and have a GM be transparent.
- kindlyrick

It's refreshing for sure.

Never felt like he was going to tear it all down, sounds like as some of the long-timers start to age they will be phased out. It really feels like there is a path where they can retool on the fly and maybe only have a truly bad year or two in the bottom third of the league. He should be very familiar with Isaac Howard and I would love to see his first big move be to bring that kid in.

It still feels like we could see a forward go with Cal Ritchie almost certainly stepping in next season. Puckpedia has this depth chart:




that I think will look more like:

Lee - Horvat - Barzal
Holmstrom - Pageau - Palmieri
Duclair/Engvall - Ritchie - Tsyplakov
MacLean - Cizikas - Gatcomb
Duclair/Engvall

Duclair/Engvall are the ones I'm unsure about. Their contracts will mean they probably need to get playing time but I'm not really sure who either one should take out of the lineup, besides each other. Feels like someone could be on the move at some point. Not really sure what they could do to purge themselves of one or both of Duclair/Engvall, short of a buyout, without giving up assets to facilitate the deal

edit: and if they did somehow bring Howard in they would have even more work to do since he is a LW

It's refreshing for sure.

Never felt like he was going to tear it all down, sounds like as some of the long-timers start to age they will be phased out. It really feels like there is a path where they can retool on the fly and maybe only have a truly bad year or two in the bottom third of the league. He should be very familiar with Isaac Howard and I would love to see his first big move be to bring that kid in.

It still feels like we could see a forward go with Cal Ritchie almost certainly stepping in next season. Puckpedia has this depth chart:




that I think will look more like:

Lee - Horvat - Barzal
Holmstrom - Pageau - Palmieri
Duclair/Engvall - Ritchie - Tsyplakov
MacLean - Cizikas - Gatcomb
Duclair/Engvall

Duclair/Engvall are the ones I'm unsure about. Their contracts will mean they probably need to get playing time but I'm not really sure who either one should take out of the lineup, besides each other. Feels like someone could be on the move at some point. Not really sure what they could do to purge themselves of one or both of Duclair/Engvall, short of a buyout, without giving up assets to facilitate the deal

edit: and if they did somehow bring Howard in they would have even more work to do
- Gabe Athaus

A complete teardown was never happening. I just hope this GM does not tell Patrick the players he needs to play. I do not care how much money the player is making. Malkin could have stepped in sooner.

Howard would be a nice problem to have

A complete teardown was never happening. I just hope this GM does not tell Patrick the players he needs to play. I do not care how much money the player is making. Malkin could have stepped in sooner.

Howard would be a nice problem to have
- ses111

Not going to worry about any of that until it happens

It's refreshing for sure.

Never felt like he was going to tear it all down, sounds like as some of the long-timers start to age they will be phased out. It really feels like there is a path where they can retool on the fly and maybe only have a truly bad year or two in the bottom third of the league. He should be very familiar with Isaac Howard and I would love to see his first big move be to bring that kid in.

It still feels like we could see a forward go with Cal Ritchie almost certainly stepping in next season. Puckpedia has this depth chart:




that I think will look more like:

Lee - Horvat - Barzal
Holmstrom - Pageau - Palmieri
Duclair/Engvall - Ritchie - Tsyplakov
MacLean - Cizikas - Gatcomb
Duclair/Engvall

Duclair/Engvall are the ones I'm unsure about. Their contracts will mean they probably need to get playing time but I'm not really sure who either one should take out of the lineup, besides each other. Feels like someone could be on the move at some point. Not really sure what they could do to purge themselves of one or both of Duclair/Engvall, short of a buyout, without giving up assets to facilitate the deal

edit: and if they did somehow bring Howard in they would have even more work to do since he is a LW
- Gabe Athaus

Yes to Howard. I watched video of him…..he’s legit. Obviously Darche has to know him so that’s a possible addition via trade. They’ve made mention to wanting to get faster and he can be a replacement for Duclair as he’s a younger, faster, shifty lefty.

I don’t love Duclair/Engvall and Tsyplakov with Ritchie. That’s 2 lazy players and one who barely speaks English. I do think Darche make a few chances for the bottom 6, and possibly makes a UFA signing.

Yes to Howard. I watched video of him…..he’s legit. Obviously Darche has to know him so that’s a possible addition via trade. They’ve made mention to wanting to get faster and he can be a replacement for Duclair as he’s a younger, faster, shifty lefty.

I don’t love Duclair/Engvall and Tsyplakov with Ritchie. That’s 2 lazy players and one who barely speaks English. I do think Darche make a few chances for the bottom 6, and possibly makes a UFA signing.
- kindlyrick

I would like to see a better option at 4C. MacLean contributed very little last season, following a promising season. This past season in 81 games, he had 4 goals, 7 assists and was -15. IMO, the dropoff in 4th line play was one of the reasons they missed the playoffs. 5 years ago, they could count on solid defensive play from Martin, Clutterbuck and Cizikas, but last season the 4th line was a liability. With his father gone, I think it's time to cut ties with Kyle, too.

I would like to see a better option at 4C. MacLean contributed very little last season, following a promising season. This past season in 81 games, he had 4 goals, 7 assists and was -15. IMO, the dropoff in 4th line play was one of the reasons they missed the playoffs. 5 years ago, they could count on solid defensive play from Martin, Clutterbuck and Cizikas, but last season the 4th line was a liability. With his father gone, I think it's time to cut ties with Kyle, too.
- JohnScammo

I agree John. I understand there will not be wholesale changes, but Kyle going should be one of them.

I would like to see a better option at 4C. MacLean contributed very little last season, following a promising season. This past season in 81 games, he had 4 goals, 7 assists and was -15. IMO, the dropoff in 4th line play was one of the reasons they missed the playoffs. 5 years ago, they could count on solid defensive play from Martin, Clutterbuck and Cizikas, but last season the 4th line was a liability. With his father gone, I think it's time to cut ties with Kyle, too.
- JohnScammo

He didn't have a great season, but I feel like he finished well. It was only his second NHL season and his first full one. He can be moved around between the big club and Bridgeport and likely won't be claimed on waivers. I don't see any reason to dump a cheap asset. If something better comes along sure, but I don't think replacing him via UFA for twice the cost will net them a ton of extra results

It's refreshing for sure.

Never felt like he was going to tear it all down, sounds like as some of the long-timers start to age they will be phased out. It really feels like there is a path where they can retool on the fly and maybe only have a truly bad year or two in the bottom third of the league. He should be very familiar with Isaac Howard and I would love to see his first big move be to bring that kid in.

It still feels like we could see a forward go with Cal Ritchie almost certainly stepping in next season. Puckpedia has this depth chart:




that I think will look more like:

Lee - Horvat - Barzal
Holmstrom - Pageau - Palmieri
Duclair/Engvall - Ritchie - Tsyplakov
MacLean - Cizikas - Gatcomb
Duclair/Engvall

Duclair/Engvall are the ones I'm unsure about. Their contracts will mean they probably need to get playing time but I'm not really sure who either one should take out of the lineup, besides each other. Feels like someone could be on the move at some point. Not really sure what they could do to purge themselves of one or both of Duclair/Engvall, short of a buyout, without giving up assets to facilitate the deal

edit: and if they did somehow bring Howard in they would have even more work to do since he is a LW
- Gabe Athaus

If last year is any indication, barring a bunch of injuries I don't see Engvall getting much play by Roy. He obviously didn't like Engvall's game, started the season in Bridgeport and I think he was pushed on Roy by Lou.

He didn't have a great season, but I feel like he finished well. It was only his second NHL season and his first full one. He can be moved around between the big club and Bridgeport and likely won't be claimed on waivers. I don't see any reason to dump a cheap asset. If something better comes along sure, but I don't think replacing him via UFA for twice the cost will net them a ton of extra results
- Gabe Athaus

I will agree with you that he's cheap, considering he's at the league minimum. Yes, and I recall that he came on toward the end of the season..........but that just means that he went the first 60 - 65 games with like one goal. Like you said, MacLean is young, and I really don't care if he works on his game in Bridgeport, even though I said "cut ties".

What I would really like to see is an upgrade to 3C, which would push Cizikas down to 4C. Casey did not have a good season either, and I don't think his skills at the age of 33 are likely to improve. Disclaimer: I have no idea who's available that could fit that bill, or whether it's even realistic cap-wise.

If last year is any indication, barring a bunch of injuries I don't see Engvall getting much play by Roy. He obviously didn't like Engvall's game, started the season in Bridgeport and I think he was pushed on Roy by Lou.
- PeteM

Engvall's not a great option, but Duclair is a big question mark, too. I would hope Roy and Duclair manage to patch things up........otherwise, Darche will need to trade Duclair or waste a lot of cap space.

Being reported Lou extended the entire scouting staff two years also.

Being reported Lou extended the entire scouting staff two years also.
- Cptmjl

If true, the people who did the worse job got extended.

If true, the people who did the worse job got extended.
- ses111

His son may have them beat.

His son may have them beat.
- Cptmjl

I feel for Darche and the mess he walked into.

I feel for Darche and the mess he walked into.
- ses111

If all of these people remain in place it makes sense why Holland turned down(thankfully)the job.

If all of these people remain in place it makes sense why Holland turned down(thankfully)the job.
- Cptmjl

It really does.

If all of these people remain in place it makes sense why Holland turned down(thankfully)the job.
- Cptmjl

Guess ownership learned a valuable lesson. Don’t ever give someone without a financial stake in the game, that much autonomy. The only reason to want that much power is to be able to play that uno card on the way out. What a bad look for Lou and his legacy.

I will agree with you that he's cheap, considering he's at the league minimum. Yes, and I recall that he came on toward the end of the season..........but that just means that he went the first 60 - 65 games with like one goal. Like you said, MacLean is young, and I really don't care if he works on his game in Bridgeport, even though I said "cut ties".

What I would really like to see is an upgrade to 3C, which would push Cizikas down to 4C. Casey did not have a good season either, and I don't think his skills at the age of 33 are likely to improve. Disclaimer: I have no idea who's available that could fit that bill, or whether it's even realistic cap-wise.
- JohnScammo

Cizikas will be the 4C next year, Ritchie is almost certainly going to start the season at 3C. Pageau obviously isn't an ideal 2C, but that's the reality for now. Ritchie will be the 2C (or better) of the future so it'll be good to ease him in with some more limited minutes.

Being reported Lou extended the entire scouting staff two years also.
- Cptmjl

Guess ownership learned a valuable lesson. Don’t ever give someone without a financial stake in the game, that much autonomy. The only reason to want that much power is to be able to play that uno card on the way out. What a bad look for Lou and his legacy.
- kindlyrick

Lou probably thought he could pick his exit time and do anything. I'm not sure even Milbury would have the stones to do these things. Just a lack of gratitude from Lou after the Islanders hired him when the Leafs did not want him.

- Gabe Athaus

- Gabe Athaus

Haha. Gold!!

- Gabe Athaus

This is not exactly Count Staple.

Lou probably thought he could pick his exit time and do anything. I'm not sure even Milbury would have the stones to do these things. Just a lack of gratitude from Lou after the Islanders hired him when the Leafs did not want him.
- ses111

There’s an audio clip I heard the other day between Chris Russo and Mike Milbury where Russo calls him out on firing 7 coaches in 9 years…..”when’s it gonna be on you Mike?” Worth looking up….LOVED hearing him get called out.