Maybe they're planning on giving Barzal a bridge deal similar to Point's or Tkachuk's? I just don't see why the Wild would make that trade if they had to retain salary

Well Mckenzie did report there were "financial issues". Lou has said a few times he plans to lock up barzal long term.

The islanders would be adding assets as incentive for the wild to retain salary. Or they don't retain any salary, but wild have to take back komarov (2 years @ 3 mill).

Ladd + prospects + picks for parise straight up doesn't work for the islanders. Its a difficult trade to make.

Exactly. I don't believe that JGP was a plan B. That trade was made before Minnesota stuff leaked. But if Koivu didn't waive thank Christ

The deal could probably still get done. The Isles need cap relief and production at the same time

Yeah the only logical reason as to why it didn't get done is because the money didn't work for NYI. Everyone sh*tting on the isles acting like they were going to take on an extra 2 mill after giving up significant assets. FOH