Lou Builds a Dynasty

Équipe: 2018-19 Islanders de New York

Date de création initiale: 30 avr. 2018

Publié: 5 juin 2018

Mode - plafond salarial: Basique

TEAM NEEDS: two way puck moving defensemen, upgraded goaltending, penalty killing forwards.

Kings need to move Doughty before he walks in a year. A young and versatile middle six forward, d man to eat minutes, and a flier on a former top prospect seem like decent roster return. Of course, this trade is put over the top by the 2018 #12 overall pick.

Canes would love to add Lee, a physical forward who just scored 40 goals last year. Dundon achieves his goals of getting tougher and stronger offensively with this acquisition. Pelech can take Hanifin's roster spot as an NHL LHD. Canes add a small amount of draft capital to get the deal done. NYI sees Lee as expendable with the signing of Kovy (or top 6 promotion of Bellows/JHS) and sells high on the forward to solidify their top 4 defense with a nice mix of 2 way puck movers.

Obvious deal for a goaltender is obvious. Don't let his Columbus performance fool you, Grubi had an excellent year and is ready to start. NYI are really giving themselves 3 plausible and positive options here: let Grubi emerge as the solid NHL starter he has shown he can be, have Soderstrom's get his feet wet in the big boys' league, and bide their time for Sorokin's KHL contract to end in 2020. At this point Greiss should not be starting NHL games unless Grubi gets hurt; let Soderstrom take the first few games in Bridgeport, and if/when he has success then give him a taste of NHL action. Greiss is a known quantity at this point and not a valuable one at that. If Gibson is re-signed, it is to play in the AHL.

Clutter trade is a cap dump as NYI need to plan 1 and 2 offseasons ahead for everyone due a raise. Including a decent D prospect, late pick, and salary retention to get Bowers who can hopefully become the 3C when Nash's contract expires.

Anyone who believes this team wouldn't compete for the Cup is either unnecessarily bearish on Grubauer or a Rangers fan. Install a coaching staff with a coherent defensive strategy and this team is going places. Kovy/Bellows/JHS can ignite the forward offense and Doughty/Hanifin will do the same for the D. Strong two way team, top to bottom.

Please tell me how badly I fucked up in the comments.

Also: not sure why the draft picks are screwed up but those 2022 picks are for 2018. NYI remaining 2018 picks should be all of their own picks plus CAR's 4th. Cap estimation is pessimistic; anything higher gives NYI room to add come deadline season.

1.

2.

3.

4.