I don't understand why Isles fans are willing to trade a Solid #3/4 D man, and additional pieces, on a VERY team friendly deal for a guy who, while was great in the KHL, has never played an NHL game and is just as likely to be a bust than the player he was in the KHL... boggles the mind.

If Gusev can be had for spare parts (Ho-Sang or lesser prospects) and picks, then I'm all for taking a flier on him, but if talks approach Mayfield or any of our NHL players or A/B prospects then pass.

100% agree with you. Vegas can't sign him anyways. Plenty of teams want Gusev, sure, but they're not exactly in a position to demand specific players in a trade. If Lou says Mayfield is off limits, then he's off limits. I think a 2nd, a 5th and some one like Vande Sompel would be enough for Gusev. We don't really know what we're getting with him as he's never played in the NHL and I don't see why any team should have to take on another team's risky signing for much more than a 2nd and some peanuts.

I wouldn't move Ho-Sang, honestly. We need RW depth, and since neither Wahlstrom or Holmstrom are NHL ready (though Wahl will be soon and Holm will be worth the wait), Ho-Sang is kind of our only guy not in the NHL who can produce in the NHL.

I agree 100% on Ho-Sang, but I'm wondering with Trotz employing a system that focuses on Defense first and Lou's focus on a positive image for the Islanders and accountability, I get the feeling JHS has played himself out of Long Island. I firmly believe that JHS spending all season in Bridgeport while guys like Fritz got called up first, was a signal to the kid of "get inline with our philosophy or you don't play" and if JHS didn't get the message I can see Lou shipping him out.

Having said that, if Lou goes that route, this is the type of trade you move JHS in. You sell a team on JHS' potential and the fact he'll be cost controlled for a few more years and take on a high risk, high reward type of player back... even more so if it keeps Mayfield's name out of the talks.

Last season after he was sent down, Trotz said he liked what he saw from Ho-Sang defensively (and so did I, he's started to use his speed to close with defensemen quickly and pressure passes made to the point) but he wanted to see more offense from Ho-Sang. The call up before that, he showed a good amount of offense. I think it's just a matter of putting his good offensive showings and good defensive showings together. He's closer to a spot than most people think.

I agree I wouldn't cry too hard if losing Ho-Sang meant getting Hoffman (without also losing Leddy), Hoffman would objectively provide the spark we need. I'd just prefer to move surplus (LHD prospects like Wotherspoon, Aho, Vande Sompel or LW prospects like Durandeau, Dal Colle, Bellows) than move players from a position we're already lacking in (Like I said, Wahlstrom and Holmstrom will make great RWs, they're just not ready yet. Or will Wahlstrom go Center? Either way, we need RWs and Cs).