Will the Islanders make a blockbuster deal? Why haven’t the Blues made any significant moves? Could the Blackhawks trade Bryan Bickell? Read on for the latest.
Columnist believes Islanders should make some big moves.
Could the Islanders shop Kyle Okposo in a blockbuster move before the trade deadline?
NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks believes the New York Islanders could dominate the Eastern Conference if only GM Garth Snow “will get off his assets” and make a dramatic “go-for-it” trade deadline deal. Brooks believes the first order of business is to acquire a true top-line winger for John Tavares’ line and add depth to their defense corps, perhaps a puck-moving blueliner. He feels the Isles have the cap space and the assets in young players to make such a move. He wonders what it would take to acquire Carolina Hurricanes left wing Eric Staal, or Dustin Byfuglien and Andrew Ladd from the Winnipeg Jets, or to see if Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos might accept playing a few months with the Isles. Brooks wonders if the Isles have enough to acquire Lightning winger Jonathan Drouin or to pry Taylor Hall out of Edmonton.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: These aren’t rumors, of course, and some of Brooks’ suggestions (Hall or Stamkos) are pure fantasy, but there is some merit to his suggestion. The Isles could be a club worth watching as the trade deadline approaches. Of course, Staal must agree to be dealt to the Isles, and there’s no guarantee a change of venue will improve his steadily declining production. I also don’t see how Snow could acquire both Byfuglien and Ladd. Maybe one or the other, provided the Isles are on their respective lists of preferred trade options. I think the Isles certainly have the depth in young assets to make a competitive pitch for Drouin, who might blossom skating on Tavares’ left side.
Latest on the Blues.
STLTODAY.COM: Jeremy P. Rutherford reports Blues GM Doug Armstrong said injuries to several of his players have delayed trade talks. Sources claim defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk, a UFA in 2017, could be available for the right price, but Armstrong’s yet to receive that offer. The Blues have also been linked to Tampa Bay Lightning winger Jonathan Drouin. The emergence of rookie Robby Fabbri, Patrick Berglund’s return from injury and the impending return of Jaden Schwartz has Armstrong less concerned about his offense. The Blues GM isn’t expecting any activity until after the All-Star break, possibly leading up to the Feb. 29 trade deadline.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blues aren’t in any danger of falling out of playoff contention in the Western Conference. Armstrong can afford to take his time. I still anticipate he’ll do something, but that move might not come until nearer the trade deadline. As for Shattenkirk, I’m not expecting him to be dealt until the offseason.
Bickell’s agent hopes for a trade.
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES; Scott Powers reports agent Todd Diamond, who represents recently demoted Blackhawks winger Bryan Bickell, remains hopeful of working out a trade for his client. This is the second time this season Bickell’s been sent to the AHL.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I think several NHL teams could be willing to take a chance on Bickell if he wasn’t carrying a $4 million per season cap hit through 2016-17. To trade him, the Blackhawks will have to pick up part of his salary or take back some dollars in return.
Yes it is completely obvious to everyone except Garth Snow that the Islanders are still(and only) a few pieces away from giving the Capitals another tough playoff series.
They are wasting JT prime years
I think that’s right and clearly they need help at left wing with Bailey, Lee and Kulemin not having the offensive prowess needed.
Drouin would not appear to be a solution for this year, given that he still needs develop if he is ever going to blossom as a legit 1LW in the NHL. Whether he has the attitude for it is another question.
JVR could make sense for them and they may be one of the only teams with the right, young pieces to pry him loose. Barzal, Pulock, Dal Colle are all kids that the Leafs would find complimentary to the future core of Nylander, Marner, Rielly, Brown, etc.
Seen quite abit of DalCole lately since he has come here to Kingston he is an absolute beast , I can not fathom Snow giving him up on a gamble. Thats kinda my point below maybe make a small deal or 2 could make some sense but with some of the prospects the Islanders have I dont really see why you would rush it.
Schticky, I used to live in Guelph but I have recently moved out west, so I’m not up on the OHL as I used to be. What’s your thoughts on Dal Cole not making the Jrs? I thought he’d be there forsure.
That JR team was a weird one to begin with with some of the slections tbh imo but, Dal Colle was playing on the Generals at the time which are not even a little bit close to as good as the team that one the mem cup last year, coming to kingston woke him up he has 14 or 15points in the 6 or 7 games since he has neen here put up 5 points against Oshawa last week in a 5-2 win he had 2 goal and 3 assists, just a terror for teams to stop or cover I am lucky this year geting to watch this team we ate loaded up with guys who will soon be NHL regulars After seeing him over the past couple years, last years playoffs and so far this Dal Cole was probably the stealpf the draft. About as much can’t
miss as you get. Toss up between him or Bennett as the best Front Ive seen in a long time skill wise.
Yes agreed, the selections were very weird from the get go, and it showed in the results.
Yes It must be very exciting for you to see the hometown team playing great hockey, I got to experience that with the Storm a few years ago.
Ya Dougie Gilmor is actually starting to turn out to be a pretty decent GM at this level..kinda a surprise, didnt have high hopes for the prodigal son scenario.
barzal will not be moved. he may be ready to step in as early as next season and is having another phenomenal year. dalcolle and their defensive prospects are what the isles will be more open to moving.
Kinda yep, but on the other hand they wont be slaming the window closed if they dont win a cup in the next year or either. Be interesting to see how it plays out.
Yeah, but JVR is only 26 years old so one year older than Tavares – pretty much as close as you can realistically hope to align the prime window of your stars and certainly a much better fit than the prospects I mentioned.
The fact that, along with maybe Patches, he has one of the best cap hits in the league for another two years helps work the deal. I note the Islanders have about $4.5mm in cap space and the Leafs would take back a deal anyway.
Comes down to whether the Islanders want to go for it or muddle along for years to come.
Im not sure in the East the Islanders are not a real good pick to make the conference finals anyway so I cant see why you would make drastic moves like that, never know once the playoffs roll around maybe the Caps choke look at Tampa bay last year I dont think its wise to be giving up that much youth. JVR is pretty much untouchable at anyrate according to most Ive read so the point is moot anyway, but what hapens to JVRs contract in 2 years? Its rolling the dice to win a cup in a relatively small window. I wouldnt be so sure that any GM would be salavating at the thought of trying to resign Taveres and JVR in the same year.
2 years down the road JVR and Taveres are both UFA the same year, good luck Garth. They give up assets to get him and start sending guys packing to keep em. Dosent make sense, if they dont win a cup. Pretty big gamble there.
Good point re signing both of them at the same time – not ideal.
Even still, you have a window of maybe 4 or 5 years before Tavares starts to decline and guys like Okposo and Nieslen are older than that so it’s not like 2 years is insignificant.
The fact they look like they might get to the conference finals this year is an argument that this is the time to go for it – maybe int he future years, you’re not as competitive.
JVR is close to untouchable according to the rumours, but look at the prospects the Islanders have. I’d guess that he would quickly get touchable, depending on what’s offered up.
Good points, Shticky.
However, I think JVR would become available to the NYI depending on what was offered – Dal Colle, Barzal, Pulock would be impossible to ignore for the Leafs.
Re the window, it wouldn’t be surprising for Snow to decide this year is his best shot and mortgage a piece of the future to go for it. Resigning two stars – see Hawks.
Hawks didnt trade for Kane or Toews…look at the pieces they jave lost already now imagine if they gave up the type of prospects you suggest giving up to aquire a guy like JVR. Not that I think JVR is worth 10 mill or anuthing but if you have to give up a bunch to get him and then have to lose good players to keep him or lose him becaise Taveres is going to eat a tone of cap room Im not so sure its not a little more practical to keep as much affordable young talent as you can indtead of putting yourself in Tampa Bays position now.
Agree 100%. Eberle for Hamonic. Get it done.
I would love that, but Ebs is a RW not a LW which is what the Islanders are rumored needing. Also I just want to add IMO Hall is just as much untouchable as McDavid is. The guy is in the top 10 in points in the NHL, and when trading these guys you rarely ever win, let alone come out even, as was seen when Boston traded Seguin. The players from the Oilers core that I think will be used to shore up the Oilers defence are Ebs and RNH.
I’m a Bruins fan & I just don’t see the Seguin deal as a total slam dunk for Dallas. Boston got Eriksson, Fraser, R. Smith, Morrow & got to dump Purcell’s significant contract for 3 years on Dallas. Morrow is just starting his NHL career, R. Smith was turned into J. Hayes who’s just starting his NHL career & if Eriksson is still & may continue to be a Bruin.
When people comment about this trade being so lopsided it irritates me as all you seem to see is Seguin for Eriksson. The Bruins were in cap hell & getting rid of Purcell’s & Seguin’s contracts gave them the ability to sign Iginla & take another run at a 2nd cup. They came up short.
Seguin was a premadona. He had all the characteristics of the player most of you are questioning now in Drouin. He was a 1 dimensional offensive player who wouldn’t toe the line. He was young & immature. Boston took futures in Morrow & what is now Hayes & we won’t know what those players are for another 5 years.
Just saying. Character is important. If you bow to these players your doomed in the long run. Most adapt as they mature but some don’t. Boston has sent 2 very good young players packing as they didn’t fit the mold of what the Bruins want from their players. It’s unfortunate but lets wait & evaluate this deal & comparable when those futures have actually become the assets they will be.
Point of reference. Seguin had 10 less points than Drouin in his rookie year playing 3 more games in a higher scoring NHL.
Thoughts form the bench.
Seguin is a C. That says it all since that is the one position that almost 80% of the league is looking for in terms of a # 1. In fact, the Oilers should have taken Seguin ahead of Hall for that very reason. “Prima donna”?? Hell, he was a kid fresh out of junior. They all can’t be automatons with a “grown up” outlook. Bottom line – Dallas has a TOP # 1 C for years to come.
I should also mention that Boston got to dump Savard’s deal in the Hayes trade on Florida. Not a serious financial issue but it cleaned up how & when he has to be accounted against the cap & moved to LTIR.
Under the current CBA Savard counts against the cap when Boston had to submit their 23 man roster at 9PM the day prior to the start of the season. The very next day it could be moved to LTIR but that was problematic due to waver issues with players & cap issues.
This benefited Boston or they would have had to expose a player. That being Trotman, Morrow or Spooner. Moving Savard solved that problem opening up a roster spot & also has to factor in some how.
You to love the cap world. Only lawyers can think this sh_t up!
I agree with you that Seguin lacks good character, unlike Hall, which is why I truly believe that the Oilers picked the right player. Also I am assuming that you mean Rich Peverly and not Purcell as the other piece of the trade Boston sent with Seguin. I had to google the trade to get a better idea of the hole thing. The way I see it the players that the Bruins got, other than Eriksson, are players that can be drafted easily. Two positions that are hard to draft are top 2 centers, which is what Seguin is, and top 2 defencemen. Also during Seguin’s rookie season from what I recall didn’t have that much time on the ice so his point total would have been lower. Now if the Bruins can resign Eriksson than the trade will not look as bad, but still IMO the Bruins came out on the losing end of the trade.
boston lost that trade no doubt about it you can dump as much salary as you want in that trade but boston still loses!
Bigbear s a bruins fan I approve your message. Purcell wasn’t a bruin, it was rich peverly that went with Seguin. Morrow can still be a decent dman, needs opportunity. Claude likes his favorites will bench some but not others. The only thing ill say about Seguin, is boston hurt his value, when they let it be known they weren’t happy with him. personally had no problems with the immaturity something he can and will grow out of. Could thing Chicago didn’t take the same mind set with kane after he punched a cab driver. But im still waiting to see what seguin does in the playoffs. Does he excel or will he disappear; that will be my final judgement.
Well, yes, overall, the Bruins lost the trade. However, at the time, the Bruins were (still are) very deep at the centre position. Who was Seguin supposed to replace, Krejci or Bergeron? Both players had far more experience than Seguin. In my opinion, he should have played third line centre for a couple of years, rather than on the wing, as Julien preferred. In any event, it was a unique situation – Seguin certainly wasn’t going to replace Krejci, at least for a few seasons, and Bergeron is simply a more mature and superior overall player, than Seguin. So, the B’s moved the party animal along. However, in hindsight, I feel that Seguin should have been brought along slowly as a third line centre. In a couple of years, the B’s could have dealt Krejci for a good return and moved Seguin into the first-line centre slot.
anyone who is even marginally a hockey fan knows the Sequin trade was horrendous. The Eriksson portion of the deal wasn’t bad, what was bad was the lack of obtaining a 1st round pick, or even multiple 1st rounders.
your right chad erikkson has worked out ok but the rest of the trade didn’t add up to near enough
He’s a C now but he played RW in Boston. The only way he could get into the top 6 in Boston. Bergeron & Krejci were ahead of him at C in Boston.
I Seguin’s rookie year his TOI/GP was 12:12 he was 10th for regular’s on the PP with 1:21 PP TOI/GP.
Drouin’s rookie year his TOI/GP was 13:14 he was 11th for regular’s on the PP with 1:54 PP TOI/GP.
Correct. Peverly. For some reason I get those 2 players confused. A few others as well with similar names. I’m terrible with names for some reason but great with #’s. I wish it was the other way around. I see no point in remembering my phone # from when I was 5 but can’t remember the name of someone I went to school with for 6 years. Ha-ha!
So how will you grade that trade down the road if Morrow plays 15 years in the league & J. Hayes goes on to be a 30 goal 60 point winger for 5 or 6 years?
Saying dumping salary is meaningless is pretty blind. This is a cap world. Hockey decisions are now totally driven by money as much as ability. A team with cap space wields a ton of power & can be very proactive in acquiring assets under value. See NYI with Leddy & Boychuk.
I didn’t say I liked the deal I said it wasn’t nor is it as lopsided as many of you wish to state. I don’t like the Hamilton trade either but I accept the reason & logic behind the choice. I don’t regret either player being moved or Thornton for that matter. What I don’t like is that Boston didn’t hold a bidding war. Although I have no issues with the return garnered for Seguin.
The reality is most simply look at the best player moved & say the team that got him won. I don’t I factor in all the other variables & I think Boston did alright considering the situation.
no striker no matter what way you spin it boston lost that trade bad! I understand your a bruins fan but that was a TERRIBLE trade for boston in present and future! as for dumping salary plenty of other ways than to give up a young centerman with a ton of upside
Striker,
The Seguin situation was extraordinary because of the off ice issues that really bothered management, and then there was the whole playoffs thing where he didn’t show up at all when Boston really needed him to excel, plus all of the talk that he was late in the mornings and out all night and they had to put security in front of his door at the hotel… blah blah blah. I still think that trade though was fueled by emotions from Boston management, I’m not opposed to them moving on from him but the return should’ve and could’ve been a lot different. They could’ve driven that price high up, maybe even into the next season and then swung a deal.
As far as the Hamilton one, I’m actually not opposed to that move as much as the Seguin one, in terms of return. He essentially got Boston Zachary Senyshyn , Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson, and Jeremy Lauzon. For those that don’t follow as closely in the NCAA, OHL, and QMJHL… Senyshyn has been tearing up the OHL, 28g-11a-39p through 41 games. Forsbacka-Karlsson is currently 3rd on BU with 20p through 22 games , and Lauzon has been impressive this year with already 35p through 29 games and a +26… all 3 players are far above their previous seasons, will plenty of games to go. I know it’s not the NHL, and it’s tough to gauge whether any of the 3 will ever make it but so far so good.
Teddy Purcell , Bruns, am I missing something ?
Garth Snow pretty much said that he has no desire for a Eberle Hamonic swap, He made it quite clear that if he trades Hamonic that he wants a comparable Dman back like Klefbom or Nurse and Edmonton has made it quite clear that neither are available that’s why the New York Isles and Edmonton aren’t a perfect fit.
That is true, that is why IMO one of two things will happen. 1) Snow will realise that he will not get a comparable d-man that he wants and will accept a good forward like Eberle or 2) A third team will get involved to make it a three way trade that will involve a team that is looking for a top 6 forward with defencive depth.
If Snow trades Hamonic for Eberle, he should be fired immediately.
You never, ever trade a solid all round d man for a one dimensional winger. Good D and C are hard to come by but wingers are the easiest thing to trade for and pick up in free agency.
That trade will never happen.
If Hamonic is such an amazing all around dman and Snow wants a comparable dman back… that would mean the team trading with NYI would be giving up this amazing dman as well… that’s like a lateral move, doesn’t make sense for the team making the trade with the Islanders. I understand the Islanders are slightly handcuffed because Hamonic wants to move closer to home so they’re trying to make something work where the Islanders are obviously not getting less of a return than they should… but I just don’t foresee a team doing that just for the sake of doing it or to help the Islanders in their situation. I mean how many comparable dman are out there right now, with a good contract that teams are prepared to just ship out… probably none. I could see the Islanders using Hamonic to get them a winger for JT, maybe a team puts together a package such as a top 6 scoring forward, and a good defensive prospect… but to me it just doesn’t make sense from an outside team’s perspective to move a comparable defenseman on their on team for Hamonic… most of the comparable dman that are on their current teams probably hold more chemistry at this point in the season. Would be quite a shake up for that team. Also, and hear me out cause I’m not a NYI fan nor do I really follow the team too often but it sounds like Hamonic is this all star defenseman… from a clearly on paper standpoint and I’m really highlighting the on paper standpoint because as I said I don’t watch them that often… he’s simply a top 4 defenseman, I know defenseman always get you more return but I think the expectations of what Hamonic eventually gets Snow should be kept in check.
The oilers can get lot better dman for eberle than that stiff hamonic.
Dustin Brown to Isles for a non-roster player (picks and/or prospects)sounds pretty good. Gritty, fast player who can play center or the wing. Plus his leadership qualities would be a good fit – not to mention he is a New Yorker …
I cannot see that happening as Brown has a No Trade Clause. Aside from that and more importantly, his wife would likely leave him if he agreed to move. I saw her on Hockey Wives, and the fall from grace would not go so well…
Disagree Murph, first off Brown has a limited NTC, can only pick 8 teams to not go to and we all know the 7 Canadian teams will occupy that list first, second like Brownie said, he is from the state of NY, so why wouldn’t he want to go home?
Not with a cap hit of 5.875 for 4 more years after this season. That is now 1 of the most onerous contracts in the NHL. Right up there with Zajac & the most obvious 1 being, Clarkson but at least Zajac & Brown bring a ton of other assets to the team even though both have lost their scoring touch even with quality PP time. How much more hitting does 1 team need. Martin leads the league in hits, Clutterbuck is 4th. That’s all Brown has left in his tool box. Well that & a great skater with incredible edge abilities.
Brown does indeed have a bad contract, but he is still more than a guy that lays big hits, and is certainly still tradable. Not only is he still an excellent skater who kills penalties, he has a ton of leadership qualities and is one of the most respected players in the league for his off-ice contributions with charities and the community in general. He is the ONLY American in NHL history to Captain a team to two Cup victories.
Any decent GM knows that cup experience is VITAL for a team looking to be a contender. I guarantee Brown will be putting on a new Jersey this off-season, likely in the State of NY.
LA would have to pick up $1.5-2M annually to trade Brown. I don’t think they are willing to do that. At the same time, other teams are not willing to help LA out of cap hell. They’ll be on the sidelines, watching Kopitars new contract have its impact on their cap space. In such scenario LA will be rather top heavy in the coming 4-5 years. The question now is, who is the player/players that have to leave when Kopitars $3.2M salary hike comes into effect.
I’ll take that bet.
I love Brown. The 1st NHL hockey game I ever took my 3 boys to was LA in Vancouver. It was either 07-08 or 08-09. I told them to watch Brown from LA & Raymond from Vancouver. Specifically how they use their edges, pivot on their off side to take the puck on their forehand for the 1 timer, never stop moving their feet, so they can go from slow to full speed in the blink of an eye. The only other skater in the NHL with as great of edge control as Brown might be Skinner in Carolina. I assume as he figure skated in his youth. My boys didn’t figure skate but all learned to skate thru Canskate before moving to power skating with skate Canada. All run by figure skaters.
Their are some players in the NHL now that can’t pivot in both directions never mind properly. They try to pivot to their forehand & players blow by them like their standing still.
Ottawa should offer Greening to Chicago for Bickell. It reduces the Hawks cap payout by $1.5 mil and the Sens have plenty of cap space to take on Bickell. He’d HAVE to be better up front than the slow-footed Prince.
Ottawa isn’t taking on an extra 1.35 in cap hit.
Why? Have you noticed the empty seats at home? Fans are getting increasingly fed up with Melnyk’s rhetoric about “wanting a winner” but then doing absolutely nothing when opportunities arise. He holds the purse strings so it’s time to put up or shut the f up.
Really need an owner change in Ottawa to someone who still has the money (or passion?) to make a winner. Melnyk is just milking it. Maybe if his business fortunes turnaround, he’ll ante up.
Not going to happen George. Ottawa has an internal cap. I assume you’ve heard there is a problem with the Canadian dollar! If you think Bickell is putting fans in the seats that’s a problem.
If Dave Cameron would pull his head out of his a__ & play the players he has properly Ottawa would be better served. His line up decisions & player deployment is mind boggling. Ottawa doesn’t want to be spending what their spending now. They set a budget based on a 80 cent dollar, that budget has declined yet no way to right that ship during the season. Ottawa will be giving up salary moving forward.
Ottawa is averaging 17,866 fans per game for an average of 93.3% of capacity.
Can’t resist getting snarky eh with the “I assume you’ve heard there is a problem with the Canadian dollar!”? Yeah, I’ve heard that. So have the GMs of the other 6 Canadian franchises.
And no, Bickell won’t be putting fans in the seats – but then neither are Prince nor Chiasson. At least with Bickell playing some LW in place of the plodding Prince it may help with the back-checking and with Phillips and Neil coming off the books at season’s end possibly Chiasson as an RFA (I wouldn’t even make in a qualifying offer), they’ll have just over an additional $5 mil to play with.
George. Advocating to add Bickell makes no sense what so ever. I’d prefer the plodding Prince. At least it sounds better. Ha-ha!
Being an Ottawa fan you must know that Ottawa Senators is in business to make money. They paid the full load to build their building, get the cloverleaf off the highway, etc. At their own expense!
Good on Melnyk for not bleeding resources from his other business ventures to support his sports team. Just because others do or can is a business model choice George.
Many teams are owned by media conglomerates, hospitality driven businesses. If Ottawa’s building wasn’t out in the middle of no where maybe Ottawa would have greater revenue streams to help support the organization. Ottawa got screwed across the board by just about every level of government & they bore essentially the full cost. Few teams in the NHL carried as big a burden to get in the NHL.
Trust me you don’t want Bickell!
The Isles should trade for Parenteau. I know he’s not a true top line player but he had great chemistry with Tavares, could be had cheap (2nd rounder at most) and is on a very cheap contract. He is at least an upgrade over Kulemin and Lee as offensive wingers.
Can he play on the left side?
Think the Isles would be interested in Moulson?
Nice one.
No but Nelson can & has.
NYI needs DESPERATELY to replace the missing presence, smarts and offence of Boychuk. Moving a young guy with upside for a 2nd pairing d-man should be easy enough to do. Baily is who I would suggest, a change of scenery seems to be in order for this youngster who has had a TON of chances to show his worth and has yet to develop his game fully.
Maybe a big trade with WPG? Bailey ($3.3m)+ Hamonic ($3.857m) + #1 or #2 2016 for Byfuglien ($5.2m) and Stafford ($4.35m)?
WPG cannot sign Byfuglien + Ladd + Trouba, so they gotta cut ties with the one that will hurt them the least. That’s Big Buff. His reported desired term and salary make him the odd man out. Ladd you don’t want to move due to the chemistry he and Wheeler and Little have + his leadership, and Trouba looks like he will be VERY good once given a bigger role. With his youth, it only makes sense to keep him and move Buff. Hamonic will take many of the minutes Buff does, but in a lesser role, while upping the minutes Trouba will get, win/win!
Stafford is a decent 2nd line winger who can score, and Baily can fill the #2 center spot for WPG while Sheifele is on the shelf.
The cap hits are not too far out of whack that the deal cannot be done especially considering NYI’s $5m+ in space.
Buffy is going to want in excess of 7 million per on an 8 year deal. Do you want to pay him that? He’ll be 31 in March. Someone will for the short term gain, the next 3 to 5 years but that contract will become an albatross.
It’s funny how many people on here complain about slow footed players & their roles in the NHL. Buf is a terribly skater but when your 6’5″ & 275+ pounds it just isn’t an issue.
A players mental ability can help make up for a whole range of skating deficiencies. Ray Sheppard, Dave Andreychuk & Luc Robitaille all had great careers but were terrible skaters by NHL standards.
“Brooks believes the first order of business is to acquire a true top-line winger for John Tavares’ line and add depth to their defense corps, perhaps a puck-moving blueliner”
Where have I heard this before, practically every NHL team battling for a playoff spot or looking to make a realistic run at the cup would love a scoring winger and a puck moving defenseman. The Isles are certainly in a better position than most with the avail cap space and young assets but it still won’t be easy filling those 2 positions especially with the number of other teams out there looking to make similar moves. My hope is that over the next month or so the playoff picture becomes more clear and more of the teams on the cusp fall out of the race enough to be sellers, otherwise the deadline might be more of a standoff.
Isles with Ladd+Big Buf. that would make them a lot tougher in their run…
Harmonic for two rentals makes no sense long term though.
It would take a lot more than Hamonic to pry away Byfuglien and Ladd together. Hamonic is simply 1 piece, it would also take a 1st round pick and probably a top end prospect. Also, WPG doesn’t have to move both players, $$$ wise, it would appear 1 has to go, not both.
Montreal has won 6 of their last 20 games! Are in a tie for the 2nd most games played in the Eastern conference. Pittsburgh has 2 games in hand, Philadelphia 3 games in hand & Ottawa a game in hand are all nipping at their heels & no help insight.
Lyle what the hell is Bergevin thinking & why has he done nothing to stop the bleeding?
Mitchell, Byron, Flynn & Weiss are all playing way to many minutes. Especially Weiss. Hell Weiss is in the top 10 for power play time. That should tell it all. That’s a coaching issue. If Therrien thinks that’s a solution that’s a serious problem. Yet kids that should be playing & been given an opportunity to develop, Carr & Andrighetto & PP time over Weiss are in the minors. If your not going to trade for some offense at least play the kids you have that can generate some.
It’s all been down hill since Semin was sent packing. Ha-ha! Sorry that was tongue in cheak.
Sorry that should have been posted outside this thread. Totally unrelated.
Montreal is definitely in a mayday right now… 9 points since beginning of December. Sitting at the bottom, teams like Buffalo and Winnipeg are winning more games. They do have to turn it around soon or they could be in big trouble.
Montreal won’t do any major trades for two reasons: 1) They don’t have much in the way of assets to give up, and 2) they still think they are a cup contender when in reality they are an average team with a superstar goalie who covers for them.
Hamonic wants out anyways – needs to be moved as close to western Canada as possible for family issues. He has been a good soldier during what I can only assume has been a stressful time.
Correct, which makes the trade value slightly less for Hamonic… which is why I feel it would take a lot more than just him to get you Buff and Ladd. If WPG moves both risking not being able to sign 1 of them in the off season then you best believe WPG is going to get a substantial return for both players if they decide to move both at the deadline.
I agree, and I do not see WPG moving Ladd. Buff and Stafford for Baily, Hamonic and a #1 or #2? Sure!
Ladd is an UFA as is Buf. Jets not looking like a team ready for a run. Harmonic is overpayment for two rentals. he is a top 4 D on any team
Top 4 D, yes, but keep in mind trades that lead up to the deadline that involve rentals and filling immediate needs are in most cases overpayments. Buff and Ladd, if both are made available will be coveted by all of the other teams looking to make a run… NYI will have to compete with other teams to make that successful. I can guarantee that other teams out there can offer a package that’s comparable to moving a Hamonic just for 1 of those players. Hamonic for both will not happen. Wishful thinking. Also, everyone knows Hamonic wants to move… Islanders are not dealing from a position of strength here. They’d have to include other enticing pieces to make a Buff and Ladd for Hamonic deal work.
No way does Hamonic get’s both these guys at the deadline.
Buff alone will get a first rounder and a roster player or an A/A- prospect. Ladd will get another 2nd rounder and roster player at the least.
Would the NYI be interested in Eriksson? LW, has been putting together quite a season, top 6 winger, 2-way, has been good on the PP also. They could even resign him in the off season as I really don’t think the Bruins are interested in doing so unless it’s for what he’s roughly making now. The Bruins really need to reshape the defense and by moving Eriksson they would essentially create more cap space, and the ability to use more cap space in the off season to sign one of the UFA that will be available. Obviously Hamonic wants to move closer to home so rule him out but what else could be had for Eriksson… of course a lot of this is dependent upon the Bruins being on the cusp of the playoff picture or falling out of the playoff race all together. There is some history between the Bruins and Snow in making deals. Just a thought.
Snow is not trading hamonic for a rental it’s not happening and with the way pelech has been playing the isles need for a d man in return for hamonic has changed I see a trade happening with Edmonton for nugent hopkins. Edmonton has mcdavid and draisatl so that makes nugent hopkins their 3rd line center which imo makes him expendable put him on left wing with Tavares as a lifelong isles fan I’d love to have nuge here I’d give up hamonic and ho sang for nugent hopkins it gives the isles the forward they need and Edmonton gets a solid prospect and the defense help they need
I thought Nick Leddy was the answer as a mailman for the Isles…they certainly paid like he was going to take that next step.
leddy had the good fortune of playing with the strong blackhawks team he is overrated as an all around dman
Leddy wasn’t playing against the other team’s top lines when he was in Chicago. He is in NY.
And was very goodd last year on the Islanders. Could justne a rough year and some injuries more than his overall game.
exactly right hanson leddy is better 3 4 dman his defense isn’t great
I like Leddy but that contract is going to make it tough to play 3-4 dman spots
I’m wondering if the Leafs are working on trying to acquire Howard from the Red Wings?
To Toronto: Howard
To Detroit: Reimer + 2017 1st (via Pitts)+ Gauthier
I know the trade scenario sucks, but with Babcock’s close ties with Detroit, and Mrazek practically their #1, if not officially, I think Howard is our choice for goalies we need. Maybe Andersen from the Ducks. Sure our goalies in the Marlies have good potential, but I don’t think it’s #1 potential. But I believe our main big trade, will be for a #1 goaltender, as ol’ Lou stated that he builds teams from the goal, out.
I don’t understand why the Leafs make this trade? Howard isn’t getting them to the playoffs next year or the year after (probably), why would they give up a first and Gauthier for him?
Reimer is probably walking at the end of the year, which is too bad since he was actually the guy who carried the Leafs to the one playoff appearance they’ve had in the last 10+ years and took them to game 7 against a very good Bruins team. The last 10 minute debacle and all, only happened because of what Reimer achieved in the 3 months before that. Still have nightmares about that open(ish) net that Lupul missed in OT
I know, but they don’t have any goaltending depth that pops out and says #1. At the same time, Reimer isn’t going to work out for the Leafs’ future. Yes that’s partially due to the Coach/Management giving the reigns to Bernier. As for Reimer’s success at getting the Leafs to the Post Season, was a shortened season. It doesn’t prove that he can do it in a 82 game season…and after his concussion, he has never been the same. Yes he shows signs of it here and there, but it’s never consistent. With all this said, and what you’ve said, I forgot that Howard is 31 years old…lol, nevermind. impatience got to me a little. Maybe try to pry Vasilevski from Tampa.
I’m more worried about that groin. He needs a transplant or something, maybe industrial strength rubber or something! Seriously, I don’t think Reimer will ever be able to play 60 or more.
dan.. regardless of injury riemer is not a starter we should be drafting a goalie early this yr!
Howard’s best days are behind him. You would not need to give up that much to get him if you really want Howard. He’s a $5M backup goaltender.
Are you related to Jimmy Howard? Why on earth would Babcock who seemed to move on from Howard last year want him now? Howard is a below avg goalie for the past 3 years making above avg money for 3 more years after this one 31 years old…how does that fit? Let alone for a first Reimer (who if they move him might be worth a late second or third) and a prospect (granted not a great one)? So say a first a third and a prospect for a salary dump of a goalie? Um …no.
And no wasting hi picks on goalies either….
Bobrovski undrafted, Quick 3rd round, Lundqvist 205 overall, Renne 258 overall Thomas 217 kiprusoff 116 Miller 138 Hasek 199…looking at close to 7, 8 years fot a gpalie to develop and its still a crap shoot at best no sense wasting early picks.
leafs should definitely draft a goalie early if your saying not too! lol
scouting has gotten so much better at hitting goalies in the last few yrs! with your logic the habs shoulda passed on price??? lmao
No I pay attention to draft rankings and considering theres not a goalie ranked in the top 35 prospects or so its a waste of a pick….all those pro scouts cant be wrong since they are so much better in recent years…why whats your eye test say big bear? Is it better than your predictions on Tinordi Schenn Kassian Semin Bieksa being the missing top pairing for the Ducks? Why not give an opinion who should the Leafs blow a first or an early second round pick on? Where was Condon Drafted again? Holtby 93 overall Bishop 85…
its funny you throw names out there that I said nothing about?? why do you lie? its hilarious
Islanders need to keep there prospects. Don’t trade for name. As the pens did with kessel. This era of nhl needs to be built from The draft Chicago is a prime example. They don’t even miss saad. They rebuild after every cup. You give up prospects you end up with nothing.