Ben Shelley: Islanders eliminated from playoffs after Game 5 loss to Hurricanes

A shame for the Isles, I was rooting for them, but I am not terribly surprised. They unfortunately suffer the same issue of offense that the habs possessed for decades.

Too many defensive minded-minds in the system a for too long has led to the same system being tried over and over again. The isles need to reinvent themselves as an offensive style team like the Rangers.

But they won't get there unless they purge the organization of anyone who has kept the team in stasis for years. You can argue it's bc they've lacked offensive players and signings, but its more than that, its in the system. They need to build from the ground up with a hard rebuild.

A shame for the Isles, I was rooting for them, but I am not terribly surprised. They unfortunately suffer the same issue of offense that the habs possessed for decades.

Too many defensive minded-minds in the system a for too long has led to the same system being tried over and over again. The isles need to reinvent themselves as an offensive style team like the Rangers.

But they won't get there unless they purge the organization of anyone who has kept the team in stasis for years. You can argue it's bc they've lacked offensive players and signings, but its more than that, its in the system. They need to build from the ground up with a hard rebuild.
- hockeyaddict89

Telling me you didn’t watch any Islander games this season without telling me.

https://nypost.com/2024/0...espite-late-season-surge/

I understand that there are unmovable contracts either because of monies and NTC or because of both. However, Ownership needs to find a way. I say Ownership because management needs to change. The first big questions are...

1. Will Lou remain? IMO, yes. I think Ownership will give him one more year.
2. Does Roy get to select and make changes to the coaching staff? IMO, yes

Goaltending:
I leave goaltending as it is. I look to see what can be done to assist Sorokin regain his elite form. Having Roy is a positive.

Defense:
Pelech and Pullock were once the top pairing for this team. Injuries over the last few years have hampered their effectiveness. If there is an opportunity to move them for youth, it should be investigated.
Dobson...Hard decision needs to be made if he is the future of this team or not. His Salary demands will be north of what Pullock and Pelech are making.
Romanov...IMO stays.
Bortuzzo...IMO goes.
Reilly...IMO offer 1 yr deal.
Salo and Bolduc...IMO need to decide if they are the future. If not, try to get something for them to restock the minor league pipeline.
Mayfield...IMO gets opportunity to see if he can be viable. If not, cut ties on contract.

It may seem impossible, but you have try and find ways to make it happen.

Work calls... more comments on the forwards to follow later.

I understand that there are unmovable contracts either because of monies and NTC or because of both. However, Ownership needs to find a way. I say Ownership because management needs to change. The first big questions are...

1. Will Lou remain? IMO, yes. I think Ownership will give him one more year.
2. Does Roy get to select and make changes to the coaching staff? IMO, yes

Goaltending:
I leave goaltending as it is. I look to see what can be done to assist Sorokin regain his elite form. Having Roy is a positive.

Defense:
Pelech and Pullock were once the top pairing for this team. Injuries over the last few years have hampered their effectiveness. If there is an opportunity to move them for youth, it should be investigated.
Dobson...Hard decision needs to be made if he is the future of this team or not. His Salary demands will be north of what Pullock and Pelech are making.
Romanov...IMO stays.
Bortuzzo...IMO goes.
Reilly...IMO offer 1 yr deal.
Salo and Bolduc...IMO need to decide if they are the future. If not, try to get something for them to restock the minor league pipeline.
Mayfield...IMO gets opportunity to see if he can be viable. If not, cut ties on contract.

It may seem impossible, but you have try and find ways to make it happen.

Work calls... more comments on the forwards to follow later.




- Nfdbulldawg

This team really almost has no choice but to move Nelson and Palms. Who else can be moved to get picks and free up Cap space. Bringing it back with maybe just losing MM and Cal would not make sense. There needs to be significant change this offseason or the fans will be rightly pissed.

So, the Isles need to make changes and the Canes probably can't wait to get rid of Kotkaniemi. Could a trade be made here? Off the top of my head, a basis of Engvall for Kotkaniemi. Or whatever you guys who know the team best thinks might work. Would you actually be willing to take on Kotkaniemi or you feel this ship has sailed and you don't touch that contract with a 10-foot pole?

This team really almost has no choice but to move Nelson and Palms. Who else can be moved to get picks and free up Cap space. Bringing it back with maybe just losing MM and Cal would not make sense. There needs to be significant change this offseason or the fans will be rightly pissed.
- ses111

There was an article in regards to Nelson. He is in the last year of his contract and he is in mid thirties. I dont know if he would be part of the future here.

As for palms he needs to go. I also feel pageau and even Lee might go. Team needs new leadership. Fourth line will be revamped and decision will need to be made with fasching Holmstrom and whalstrom

There was an article in regards to Nelson. He is in the last year of his contract and he is in mid thirties. I dont know if he would be part of the future here.

As for palms he needs to go. I also feel pageau and even Lee might go. Team needs new leadership. Fourth line will be revamped and decision will need to be made with fasching Holmstrom and whalstrom
- kasperrko

There really is no future for Nelson on this team either. He will be 33 in October.


Palms really should go before he breaks down again. I would also look into moving Pageau and possibly buying out Lee. I cannot see Lou making all these moves though. Team really needs a new GM.

The problem with trading Palms Nelson JG even Lee is if you are not bringing back NHL ready players, they are going to have even more trouble scoring goals. So what are we looking for in return? Picks ? Prospects? Or young up and coming NHLers who no other team is going to trade.

The problem with trading Palms Nelson JG even Lee is if you are not bringing back NHL ready players, they are going to have even more trouble scoring goals. So what are we looking for in return? Picks ? Prospects? Or young up and coming NHLers who no other team is going to trade.
- chazpet

I'm thinking it will be mostly picks. I doubt Lee can be traded. If the Islanders trade some of these players, they will need to maybe sign players on 1-year deals or give a shot to some Bridge players. Even if the Islanders can free up enough space, they have not shown the ability to sign quality UFA's.

are there two Ben Shelleys

I understand that there are unmovable contracts either because of monies and NTC or because of both. However, Ownership needs to find a way. I say Ownership because management needs to change. The first big questions are...

1. Will Lou remain? IMO, yes. I think Ownership will give him one more year.
2. Does Roy get to select and make changes to the coaching staff? IMO, yes

Goaltending:
I leave goaltending as it is. I look to see what can be done to assist Sorokin regain his elite form. Having Roy is a positive.

Defense:
Pelech and Pullock were once the top pairing for this team. Injuries over the last few years have hampered their effectiveness. If there is an opportunity to move them for youth, it should be investigated.
Dobson...Hard decision needs to be made if he is the future of this team or not. His Salary demands will be north of what Pullock and Pelech are making.
Romanov...IMO stays.
Bortuzzo...IMO goes.
Reilly...IMO offer 1 yr deal.
Salo and Bolduc...IMO need to decide if they are the future. If not, try to get something for them to restock the minor league pipeline.
Mayfield...IMO gets opportunity to see if he can be viable. If not, cut ties on contract.

It may seem impossible, but you have try and find ways to make it happen.

Work calls... more comments on the forwards to follow later.




- Nfdbulldawg

Dobson? Really? He was the second leading scorer on the team and posted 60 assists. He's absolutely the future with this team. He may never be a defensive standout, but he's going to be worth every penny. If they're trading him then they should just blow it all up and start from scratch.

Mayfield isn't going anywhere unless he decides he wants to. They can work the phones all they want but he has a full NTC. Same with Pelech and Pulock.

So, the Isles need to make changes and the Canes probably can't wait to get rid of Kotkaniemi. Could a trade be made here? Off the top of my head, a basis of Engvall for Kotkaniemi. Or whatever you guys who know the team best thinks might work. Would you actually be willing to take on Kotkaniemi or you feel this ship has sailed and you don't touch that contract with a 10-foot pole?
- YodaOldBoy

Even if we put aside the fact that Engvall was given a full NTC...why would the Islanders want to pay more money for the same production? Might be a different type of player, but they'd be adding an additional almost $2M in salary over the same term for, effectively, the same offensive output.

Unless CAR is sending one of their good prospects along with him (they wouldn't) then that's a hard pass

The problem with trading Palms Nelson JG even Lee is if you are not bringing back NHL ready players, they are going to have even more trouble scoring goals. So what are we looking for in return? Picks ? Prospects? Or young up and coming NHLers who no other team is going to trade.
- chazpet

That's the point. They would stink for a few years and ideally load up on prospects/picks so they can start to rebuild things the right way. Maybe the lottery balls fall in their favor and they end up with James Hagens or Gavin McKenna.

That's the point. They would stink for a few years and ideally load up on prospects/picks so they can start to rebuild things the right way.
- eichiefs9

Exactly! This team is not getting to the Cup just bringing it mostly back. The re-tool needs to happen this summer. Most hockey people understand this.

Ok. So then we are all prepared for and looking forward to a rebuild? Even if it means 2 or 3 years of bring bad. Hopefully not longer.

Exactly! This team is not getting to the Cup just bringing it mostly back. The re-tool needs to happen this summer. Most hockey people understand this.
- ses111

There is absolutely no reason to re-sign Nelson or Palmieri after their contracts are up. If they're not going to trade them this summer, which they should, then they absolutely have to trade them at the deadline unless the Islanders, for some reason, are at the top of the standings.

Now is the time to capitalize on their assets that have value.

Ok. So then we are all prepared for and looking forward to a rebuild? Even if it means 2 or 3 years of bring bad. Hopefully not longer.
- chazpet

They can lie to everyone, including themselves, about there still being any chance that they can go on a run in the playoffs or they can do what's needed to start putting together a team that isn't a bunch of old, slow, complacent veterans

There is absolutely no reason to re-sign Nelson or Palmieri after their contracts are up. If they're not going to trade them this summer, which they should, then they absolutely have to trade them at the deadline unless the Islanders, for some reason, are at the top of the standings.

Now is the time to capitalize on their assets that have value.
- eichiefs9

Right again chief! This is not complicated. Only the Islanders make things complicated.

The problem is that Lou probably will keep it the same. Our penalty kill suck our power play sucks everything. I’m ready for a rebuild but a soft one build around barzal horvat Dobson and Romanov

They can lie to everyone, including themselves, about there still being any chance that they can go on a run in the playoffs or they can do what's needed to start putting together a team that isn't a bunch of old, slow, complacent veterans
- eichiefs9

Ownership and especially Lou are like children seeing only what they want to see and not dealing with reality.

Ok. So then we are all prepared for and looking forward to a rebuild? Even if it means 2 or 3 years of bring bad. Hopefully not longer.
- chazpet

They can either keep on this path and slowly get worse, or they can try a mini-rebuild.

Unless they have compromising photo's of other GMs I'm not sure what else they can do.

They can either keep on this path and slowly get worse, or they can try a mini-rebuild.

Unless they have compromising photo's of other GMs I'm not sure what else they can do.
- JimmyP

How many fans are going to keep buying tickets if the team is kept mostly intact? Have to think most fans want some sort of rebuild.

Extremely over rated Just do not have that one guy who can dominate Need a lot of help Mediocre at at best