Quoting: TooMalevolent
The Barzal deal will be interesting. They have to bridge him, no?
Given our cap situation, what happened with the RFAs last summer, and his playoffs being excellent but not perfect, yes he should take a bridge deal. I think he will, Lou will play hardball with him and Barzal doesn't seem like the type that would hold out, even if he does want his money now. I don't know who his agent is, but I imagine it won't be an awful negotiation.
Quoting: justaBoss
That team reminded me a lot of CBJ...just a step up in terms of talent imo.
Trotz have done great job putting that defense in line...sadly since he's not a fan of young talent, solid players like Dobson get a bit sheltered.
Trotz doesn't seem to mind young talent with us. Granted, he doesn't have a lot (Barzal, Beau, Dobson), but that hasn't been a sore spot in Trotz's time here. Dobson played in the final minutes of regulation and some of OT last night and looked really really good.
Quoting: mhockey91
Especially after giving over 5 million long term to a 3C lol. He’s honestly so overrated. Trotz makes Lou look good. This isles team wouldn’t even make the playoffs without trotz
Pageau is incredible. Trotz may have made him a better player, but I don't think any Isles fan would call him overrated or say he's overpaid. I'm a big believer in center depth winning you championships. If you're going to overpay at any position, it's your centers and top pairing defensemen.
Quoting: bunzy1034
You need a sniper
how about Laine for Pulock, will be willing to take a cap dump to add to the trade
I said this in another thread, but it's so funny how the Jets and Islanders are great trading partners, but only if they want to do a blockbuster. I would absolutely love a deal for Laine, but it'd be hard to trade Pulock for him.
Quoting: aadoyle
what they need is a franchise star. Tavares leaving still is hurting this team despite them saying otherwise. Barzel just aint that guy yet but could do it one day.
While I agree Barzal needs modest improvement and maturity (I kept saying during the playoffs he just needs to calm down and be a little more predictable), Tavares leaving did a lot more good than bad. We wouldn't be in a better spot with Tavares in the lineup or the locker room right now.