You know it's going to be a boring UFA day when anyone has their 5th ranked UFA as Pius Suter

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...5-latest-rumours-reports/

Maybe we get some wacky trades or something to liven it up
- Gabe Athaus

I'm good with the Islanders not doing anything crazy. Many UFA signings do not work out.

I'm good with the Islanders not doing anything crazy. Many UFA signings do not work out.
- ses111

Agreed. If it’s not a good fit, I’d rather them eat the year and sell some assets at the deadline for the upcoming deep draft. The prospect pool being stacked is enough excitement for me.

Yeah I wasn’t trying to pawn it off as my own but it makes sense. I never expected it to be a reality but the isles have $ to spend. Rosner said Ehlers as well but I know he’s not well liked on this thread. Ideally I’d like to see them add some offense and re sign DeAngelo
- kindlyrick

I know, just busting your balls.

They do have some money to play with, but it won't be a massive amount and frankly I think they'd be better served keeping a cushion from the ceiling for down the road. They have about $14.7M in space after the Romanov contract. Still need to sign Holmstrom, Tsyplakov, Heinemen, and maybe Gatcomb. I like Gatcomb a lot and he seems to fit the bill for the type of player Darche wants. But with Heinemen coming in I could see them moving him.

Predictions:

- Holmstrom - 3 years, $3.75M AAV
- Tsyplakov - 2 years, $2.75M AAV
- Heinemen - 2 years, $2M AAV
- Gatcomb (if he signs) - 2 years, $1M AAV

So if I'm close or right on those, they'd have somewhere in the neighborhood of $9.5M in available cap space. DeAngelo could maybe come in with something around 4 years, $5M AAV.

Doesn't leave a whole lot to sign anyone with, unless they're able to offload one of their dogshit contracts, which would be incredible, or trade Pageau.

Agreed. If it’s not a good fit, I’d rather them eat the year and sell some assets at the deadline for the upcoming deep draft. The prospect pool being stacked is enough excitement for me.
- kindlyrick

Best thing to do right now. Try to find value with one-year UFA deals. Try to find some hidden gems.

I know, just busting your balls.

They do have some money to play with, but it won't be a massive amount and frankly I think they'd be better served keeping a cushion from the ceiling for down the road. They have about $14.7M in space after the Romanov contract. Still need to sign Holmstrom, Tsyplakov, Heinemen, and maybe Gatcomb. I like Gatcomb a lot and he seems to fit the bill for the type of player Darche wants. But with Heinemen coming in I could see them moving him.

Predictions:

- Holmstrom - 3 years, $3.75M AAV
- Tsyplakov - 2 years, $2.75M AAV
- Heinemen - 2 years, $2M AAV
- Gatcomb (if he signs) - 2 years, $1M AAV

So if I'm close or right on those, they'd have somewhere in the neighborhood of $9.5M in available cap space. DeAngelo could maybe come in with something around 4 years, $5M AAV.

Doesn't leave a whole lot to sign anyone with, unless they're able to offload one of their dogshit contracts, which would be incredible, or trade Pageau.
- Gabe Athaus

Or figure out a way to get Varly off the books.

I do think DeAngelo should be re signed. He looked very good for the short time he was here. They need a dman like him to eat minutes

Or figure out a way to get Varly off the books.

I do think DeAngelo should be re signed. He looked very good for the short time he was here. They need a dman like him to eat minutes
- kindlyrick

They're going to need someone to run the PP and I don't even know who I'd throw in that role right now. I think it makes a lot of sense to re-sign him, but they've only got 2.5hrs left before he hits the open market and gets to test the waters.

edit: I don't really see any possible way they can get Varlamov's full cap hit off the books. Nobody is taking a seriously injured goaltender unless the Isles are paying big assets to do it. I think they're gonna be stuck just riding that one out until two years from today.

They're going to need someone to run the PP and I don't even know who I'd throw in that role right now. I think it makes a lot of sense to re-sign him, but they've only got 2.5hrs left before he hits the open market and gets to test the waters.

edit: I don't really see any possible way they can get Varlamov's full cap hit off the books. Nobody is taking a seriously injured goaltender unless the Isles are paying big assets to do it. I think they're gonna be stuck just riding that one out until two years from today.
- Gabe Athaus

If Ryan Pulock isn’t on the PP then what is his role? At 6+ you’d think he’d have a more defined role.

From ChatGPT

1. Heavy Point Shot
• Known for his “howitzer” from the blue line, among the fastest slap shots in the NHL .
• His shot remains a threat, particularly on the power play .
2. Power‑Play Specialist
• Regularly deployed on the second unit and occasionally the first, valued for his puck-moving and shot skills .
• Effective in offensive setup and possesses strong hockey IQ .
3. Complementary All-Conditions Play
• Reliable at even strength and trusted on the penalty kill .
• Coaches appreciate his steadiness and positioning under pressure

If Ryan Pulock isn’t on the PP then what is his role? At 6+ you’d think he’d have a more defined role.
- kindlyrick

I think his role is defined and it doesn't really include the PP. Last season, among guys who played at least 30 games, he was 4th in PP TOI/gp behind Dobson, DeAngelo, and Cholowski (in that order). Cholowski averaged 1:21 per game where Pulock only saw 57 seconds.

I think his role is defined and it doesn't really include the PP. Last season, among guys who played at least 30 games, he was 4th in PP TOI/gp behind Dobson, DeAngelo, and Cholowski (in that order). Cholowski averaged 1:21 per game where Pulock only saw 57 seconds.
- Gabe Athaus

I think that’s where my issue is. He was drafted as a PP guy because of his 103 mph shot. Now he’s behind Cholowski in TOI. I’m not a Pulock hater, I just think at 6+ it could be better spent on a need like the isles anemic PP.

I think that’s where my issue is. He was drafted as a PP guy because of his 103 mph shot. Now he’s behind Cholowski in TOI. I’m not a Pulock hater, I just think at 6+ it could be better spent on a need like the isles anemic PP.
- kindlyrick

Many of us expected a lot more offense from Pulock. Same with de Haan and Redden.

I think that’s where my issue is. He was drafted as a PP guy because of his 103 mph shot. Now he’s behind Cholowski in TOI. I’m not a Pulock hater, I just think at 6+ it could be better spent on a need like the isles anemic PP.
- kindlyrick

The shot may be why he was drafted, but it's obvious the power didn't translate to goals in the NHL. And at 30 years old I think he's pretty much peaked and is on the back side of the bell curve at this point so I'm not expecting anything to change for the better.

Frank Seravalli
@frank_seravalli
7s
Sources say Tony DeAngelo is closing in on a deal to stay on Long Island. #isles

Cross another name off the list - a thin right-shot defense market gets thinner.

Frank Seravalli
@frank_seravalli
7s
Sources say Tony DeAngelo is closing in on a deal to stay on Long Island. #isles

Cross another name off the list - a thin right-shot defense market gets thinner.
- Gabe Athaus

That’s awesome and needed!! I thought he looked super sound last year

That’s awesome and needed!! I thought he looked super sound last year
- kindlyrick

It made too much sense not to do it. Didn't hear his name out there once since the season ended, so it seemed like he'd be back

That’s awesome and needed!! I thought he looked super sound last year
- kindlyrick

Also if the RHD market is so thin, maybe they can find a home for Mayfield

Also if the RHD market is so thin, maybe they can find a home for Mayfield
- Gabe Athaus

This would be nice. This year needs to be about moving some of these players out by the deadline. Have to think some of these prospects will be ready next year.

This would be nice. This year needs to be about moving some of these players out by the deadline. Have to think some of these prospects will be ready next year.
- ses111

I imagine the Isles could be pretty involved at the deadline, with Lee and Pageau both on expiring deals. Both of those guys could be very valuable to a contender. Especially if the Isles are willing to retain salary to make them fit.

Also if the RHD market is so thin, maybe they can find a home for Mayfield
- Gabe Athaus

Haha. That’s right….good point!

I imagine the Isles could be pretty involved at the deadline, with Lee and Pageau both on expiring deals. Both of those guys could be very valuable to a contender. Especially if the Isles are willing to retain salary to make them fit.
- Gabe Athaus

That’s the prudent move and I’m sure we will see that happen. The days of nice guy extensions are over.

That’s the prudent move and I’m sure we will see that happen. The days of nice guy extensions are over.
- kindlyrick

If they could walk away with an additional 1st and 2nd round pick in next year's draft after trading those two that would be big. Maybe one of the picks is in 2027, who knows, but it'd all be good stuff to accelerate the restocking of the farm system

If they could walk away with an additional 1st and 2nd round pick in next year's draft after trading those two that would be big. Maybe one of the picks is in 2027, who knows, but it'd all be good stuff to accelerate the restocking of the farm system
- Gabe Athaus

Absolutely. At some point with the prospect pool stacking up, they can use draft capital to land a premier player. I expect this to be a 2-3 year project before they are a consistent playoff team who’s not seeing back up goalies most nights

Absolutely. At some point with the prospect pool stacking up, they can use draft capital to land a premier player. I expect this to be a 2-3 year project before they are a consistent playoff team who’s not seeing back up goalies most nights
- kindlyrick

I'm guessing in 2-3 years they'll be where Montreal was at the start of last season. No playoffs, but the good young core is starting to emerge and they'll start looking to add established veteran pieces as they become available. I'm thinking it's at least 4-5 years before they're back to being a playoff team. Anything could happen, but I think that's the timeline I'm sticking with for now.

Man the leafs fans moaning about Marners exit and how he kinda screwed them is just bitter sweet. I can’t help but smirk. Its always ok until it happens to you…

Stefen Rosner
@stefen_rosner
29s
#Isles just made this official. One-year deal for Tony DeAngelo.

Interesting. Could be another chip at the trade deadline.

Renaud Lavoie
@renlavoietva

11s
Tony DeAngelo : 1 X $1.75M
@NYIslanders

I was way off on that one That's massive. If he has a strong season he could be a huge trade deadline target