Quoting: MG1986
Haha I don't think really anything you said there proves that Leddy is worth a 1st round draft pick. I mean, a team could get real desperate about it, maybe at the deadline this season, or next offseason. In theory the Isles could theoretically trade Leddy to one of the teams under the cap floor, but I seriously doubt any of them will give the Isles a 1st rounder as part of any sort of deal to acquire him.
Ok, come back to me after Leddy nets anything less than 1st round value. Thanks.
Quoting: MG1986
Lou could have certainly spoken with Barzal's people about an extension, but based on the current landscape of the NHL and, in particular, how things are doing with these elite RFAs now up for extensions, I can pretty much assure you that Barzal, whether extended by the Isles or offer-sheeted by a new team, will not sign anywhere until next offseason, after this full NHL season is over. It would not be in his best interest and I am sure there are smart people around him that have told him that.
I wouldn't be too sure. As I said, Nelson, Lee and Eberle all took less money to stay here because these guys (and Barzal) are PROUD to be Islanders, that much has become evident over the last year since Tavares left. This team took that as a real slap in the face and loyalty has become a HUGE character trait for them. All 3 UFAs this year have said they didn't want to be anywhere else, Barzal has said he doesn't want to be anywhere else and after Tavares saying that and then leaving and how fans reacted to that, I don't see these guys saying it if it doesn't mean something.
Rumors are saying Lee's deal was agreed to, in principle, during the season, it wasn't announced because Lou wanted to go big fish hunting this off season and Lee was willing to renegotiate if that big fish cost more than originally planned. You don't think seeing your CAPTAIN do that to help improve the team is going to rub off on someone like Barzal??