As much as fans hate to see it, the Islanders might trade Bellows and use him as an asset to shed another player's salary. They'd rather do that than be forced to decide whether to protect or expose him in the 2021 expansion draft based off of 1 rotating season.
MTL gets stronger in the mid-bottom LHD pairing with the acquisition of Leddy and adds a C who will get some more playing opportunities in Montreal than here.
Would not like to trade away Bode Wilde, but it's necessary to shed Komarov's salary.
Kulak becomes another Sbisa but with term but 5.5 mil(plus salary) got shed as a result. Leddy isn't bad. He's simply expendable from Trotz's 1-1-3 left wing lock scheme and Toews, Pelech, and Greene have thrived better in this system. Leddy gets to play more free in Julien's system.
While getting Boychuk as a depth D essentially, it's slightly deeper than that. He can be used to recruit Thomas Greiss as a very decent backup for Blackwood.
Sorokin will have the ability to burn his ELC in the 2020 playoffs and sign a regular contract.
Also, think Simon Holmstrom gets the 9-game look during the 2020-21 season.
Islanders fans will be mad at not using these assets to fetch that external top 6 forward like Laine or RNH, but the goal should be to shed long-term cap space right now so players like Beauvillier, Pelech, Sorokin, and Dobson can get paid. Long-term this is the right path. Shame they couldn't get a first and a 2nd for 2020, but so be it.
Ho-Sang will also be released from the team. Would also think Lou takes a shot at Sparks as their AHL starting goaltender by overpaying.
This roster is based off of how I think it'll look mid-season.
Would rather trade Komarov with no salary retained. Hickey is still necessary call-in depth in this organization(say what you will). Team is most likely going to maximize Ladd's value for the Seattle expansion draft.
You also fail to mention that despite Bellows(unproven), Koivula(unproven), and Wilde(unproven) getting traded as package for cap relief, they're also acquiring 6 different draft picks.
6 late draft picks other than the 3rd. Bellows has shown promise in his callup and Wilde did great on Sag. Don't need to get rid of everyone right away and rush it. Take it year by year.
6 late draft picks other than the 3rd. Bellows has shown promise in his callup and Wilde did great on Sag. Don't need to get rid of everyone right away and rush it. Take it year by year.
Bellows is a massive turnover machine. One would argue that the Devils would want more to take Boychuk's contract. Organizationally, there's no room for Wilde in the top 4 either.
Bellows is a massive turnover machine. One would argue that the Devils would want more to take Boychuk's contract. Organizationally, there's no room for Wilde in the top 4 either.
Boychuk could go to a different out of division team. Bellows also showed a lot of promise in his call up and I could see him as a long term player on the team. So keep Bode and trade where his value is maximized. Not everything needs to be done this season. one at a time. once again, no need to rush it.
Boychuk could go to a different out of division team. Bellows also showed a lot of promise in his call up and I could see him as a long term player on the team. So keep Bode and trade where his value is maximized. Not everything needs to be done this season. one at a time. once again, no need to rush it.
I'm personally not a believer in Bellows. Wahlstrom has more present and future promise than Bellows. May as well not waste a potential protection slot on an uncertainty in Bellows and use him as an asset to shed salary.