Ben Shelley: How much will Anthony Duclair improve the Islanders’ offense?

Ben Shelley: How much will Anthony Duclair improve the Islanders’ offense?
- Ben Shelley

He will make them worse

He goes on the top line which ripples down to all of the lines and makes the average forwards age lower. Add in more for one of the PP units. Still like to see a young rookie crack this lineup.

I highly doubt there will be any noticeable difference. This is basically the same piece of sh1t team as last year

He will make them worse
- habs88888

How will he make them worse? He will add speed, goal scoring ability, boost to PP, and can kill penalties. Does he make them an instant Cup Contender? NO, but he brings upgrades at cost effective rate.

He goes on the top line which ripples down to all of the lines and makes the average forwards age lower. Add in more for one of the PP units. Still like to see a young rookie crack this lineup.
- Fan101

Which rookie has proven that they are capable of cracking the lineup? I am all the infusion of young talent.

Which rookie has proven that they are capable of cracking the lineup? I am all the infusion of young talent.
- Nfdbulldawg

Ruslan being out of the picture hurts the cause for sure.

https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/new-york-islanders

https://thehockeynews.com...sk-of-missing-out-in-2025

https://thehockeynews.com...estricted-free-agent-deal

There are many people in the know, who are claiming that there is tampering running rampant in the NHL. While I believe this to be true, and maybe I am misinformed but does the league allow teams to reach out to free agents prior to July 1? That the deals that are reach just cannot be formalized until July 1?

If the league allows this, how is this tampering? Didn't JT do this when he left the Islanders? Or is this just another thing for people to b!tch at.

There are many people in the know, who are claiming that there is tampering running rampant in the NHL. While I believe this to be true, and maybe I am misinformed but does the league allow teams to reach out to free agents prior to July 1? That the deals that are reach just cannot be formalized until July 1?

If the league allows this, how is this tampering? Didn't JT do this when he left the Islanders? Or is this just another thing for people to b!tch at.
- Nfdbulldawg

Tampering happens all the time, it has to. No team is blindly trading for the right to sign someone long term. You have to have some sort of wink wink that it would get done.

I don’t think Tampa allows Stamkos to see July 1st if they didn’t have Guetzels agreement lined up prior. Just my opinion but those are the cards I see.

Tampering happens all the time, it has to. No team is blindly trading for the right to sign someone long term. You have to have some sort of wink wink that it would get done.

I don’t think Tampa allows Stamkos to see July 1st if they didn’t have Guetzels agreement lined up prior. Just my opinion but those are the cards I see.
- kindlyrick

Rick, I get what you are saying...However, I thought teams were allowed to speak to free agents a week before July 1.

It improves the team, but they need more. That being said I've actually always like Duclair and am happy to see him get some term.

Rick, I get what you are saying...However, I thought teams were allowed to speak to free agents a week before July 1.
- Nfdbulldawg

Yeah I don’t know the answer to that. Like why would a week before July 1st be ok, when the free agency period starts July 1st? That doesn’t seem reasonable.

Bottom line money is on the line, so teams will do whatever it takes to make their respective teams better. I’m sure even if it’s not allowed to discuss with a player under contract with another team, it happens quietly all throughout the league.

Yeah I don’t know the answer to that. Like why would a week before July 1st be ok, when the free agency period starts July 1st? That doesn’t seem reasonable.

Bottom line money is on the line, so teams will do whatever it takes to make their respective teams better. I’m sure even if it’s not allowed to discuss with a player under contract with another team, it happens quietly all throughout the league.
- kindlyrick

I was able to find this little nugget when googling.

the NHL free agency period officially begins a few days before July, allowing the teams and UFAs to discuss contracts. Notably, the 2024 free agency will begin on July 1st. During this time, teams can negotiate, express interest, and discuss contract terms with the UFAs.

So, if this is truly the case. You really cannot call it tampering like people in the NHL have. This would explain why at the start of free agency, big deals are being announced in the first couple of hours.

The Islanders signed Anthony Duclair to a 4-year deal with a $3.5M AAV on the first day of free agency. Duclair made it known that Roy personally reached out to him making it clear he wanted the 10-year veteran to make Long Island his new home.

“He gave me a call this morning, told me that he wanted me, and when a coach tells you he wants to for the team, it’s hard to say no,” Duclair said. “Especially when it’s Pat and someone who I have a tremendous amount of respect for. I know him very well and his family very well.”

If Lou cannot do it, let Patrick do it.

https://nypost.com/2024/0...eason-with-roster-retool/

https://nypost.com/2024/07/06/sports/devils-have-achieved-heavenly-offseason-with-roster-retool/
- ses111

Say what you will about Larry Brooks but he speaks his mind which I like. Funny how he basically mimicked what the fans here keep saying. I guess it’s pretty obvious to all that the isles continue to put bandaids on flesh wounds.

Say what you will about Larry Brooks but he speaks his mind which I like. Funny how he basically mimicked what the fans here keep saying. I guess it’s pretty obvious to all that the isles continue to put bandaids on flesh wounds.
- kindlyrick

Larry is not wrong about the Islanders. Larry also makes a point about taxes. If something can be done, I'm all for it. Anything to take any sort of excuse away from the Islanders not being able to sign top UFA's. It's not just the tax issue though.

Trade Pullock and JGP plus a draft pick for Elhers and McGoarty. Sign Sprong

Does this move the needle?

Duclair Horvat Barzal
Elhers Nelson Palms
Sprong Cizikas Engvall
Lee McClean Holstrom

Dober Rom
Reilly Pelech
Bolduc Mayfield

Trade Pullock and JGP plus a draft pick for Elhers and McGoarty. Sign Sprong

Does this move the needle?

Duclair Horvat Barzal
Elhers Nelson Palms
Sprong Cizikas Engvall
Lee McClean Holstrom

Dober Rom
Reilly Pelech
Bolduc Mayfield
- Nfdbulldawg

Where do you have McGoarty playing? He is going to want to be in the NHL this year.

Defense still looks to be an issue.

Trade Pullock and JGP plus a draft pick for Elhers and McGoarty. Sign Sprong

Does this move the needle?

Duclair Horvat Barzal
Elhers Nelson Palms
Sprong Cizikas Engvall
Lee McClean Holstrom

Dober Rom
Reilly Pelech
Bolduc Mayfield
- Nfdbulldawg

Forget Sprong, have plenty of Sprongs already. And you forgot Tsyplakov, he's getting a shot at making the team for sure, even Lou said he didn't sign him for Bridgeport.

Duclair Horvat Barzal
Elhers Nelson Palms
Engvall Cizikas Tsyplakov
Lee McClean Holstrom

Dober Rom
Reilly Pelech
Bolduc Mayfield

Tho Lee on the 4th line is just sad and a cap killer.

Forget Sprong, have plenty of Sprongs already. And you forgot Tsyplakov, he's getting a shot at making the team for sure, even Lou said he didn't sign him for Bridgeport.

Duclair Horvat Barzal
Elhers Nelson Palms
Engvall Cizikas Tsyplakov
Lee McClean Holstrom

Dober Rom
Reilly Pelech
Bolduc Mayfield

Tho Lee on the 4th line is just sad and a cap killer.
- HolyDiver83

You don't have to trade Pulock and Pageau for Ehlers.

You don't have to trade Pulock and Pageau for Ehlers.
- brodydog29

The problem with Ehlers is needing to give him a big contract. I'd rather not trade for Ehlers.