Definitely not a cup contender with that D core. Excellent coach with excellent systems, but he had an elite team with John Carlson and Braden Holtby, the Islanders don't have a comparable player for either of those two just yet.

No money to extend Barzal, Pulock, etc. If they still brought in Lou and Trotz and re-signed JT but avoided all those first offseason Lou signings theyd be in such a good position

Biased, but I do think you underestimate the strength of the Pelech-Pulock pair

I know it's a good pair, but Carlson's still a level or two ahead of Pulock. Defensemen scoring in the playoffs is a huge help, and Carlson produces. Pulock's role is still growing, and he may get close to Carlson's level in a couple seasons. But right now this team isn't 'easily a cup contender' as the description states.

They could have kept lehner too

They should’ve. Idk why they didn’t

Boychuk and ladd wont just disappear