bellows isn’t good enough. Not being included on the bubble roster is quite the indictment

He just isn't good enough defensively to play on a Barry Trotz roster. He could flourish on another team that would let him play his game.

Bingo

To be real, with Trotz this lineup could go all the way cause he seems to succeed regardless, but that is a lot of wingers that are relied upon that are rookies, + your starting goalie. Dobson is an absolute stud so no worries about him especially playing alongside a smart defenceman. If Wahlstrom can step into that role this season, the Islanders could very well be a cup contender next year.

Bellows will be a solid middle 6 winger on another team. The reason why he didn’t make the bubble roster is because trotz is infatuated with veteran grinders.

His defensive metrics were decent when he played with the islanders. Even trotz praised him for his defensive play in his post game interview lol - the organization just doesn’t like him.

Feel like he’s more like a third line plug. He’s a poor skater and has like 16 assists in 140 AHL games. That’s not great

The 2020 Buffalo pick is enticing, but I'd rather keep Kesler on LTIR instead of taking that Boychuk cap hit.

His skating has improved and that’s one of the things scouts said in their updated reports. Also last season Thompson literally told bellows not to worry about points, only worry about his play away from the puck, which is why his counting numbers were bad.

I have no doubt he’ll be used to dump a contract, but trotz played boychuk + kuhnhackl a lot this season and both of them are awful defensively. In fact kuhnhackl ranked as a bottom 5 defensive player at 5v5

Sabres have money issues they probably can’t take baileys 5.5

Did I not have him on the third line?

Did you read the title of this post?

Really can't please everyone on this board I guess.

Appreciate the input. Wasn't sure how ANA fans felt, was thinking the team may rather pay less actual money and have a vet, but had no idea tbh.

Then just replace him with Komarov or MDC if you're that strongly against him.

That's the hope in my mind. Unfortunately, it's a big hope to have, but unless some team is looking to explode their roster I can't see us getting a top line winger with our cap situation.

I would rather trade Leddy for a late second before a trade Bailey. You only trade Bailey if Barzal wants big money

Yeah, Kesler's contract is insured, so they're actually only spending like 10-20%.

I felt the same, but after seeing how much value Leddy still brings to the lineup, and knowing there is no real LHD prospect in the works to replace him, I think we should retain him.

I think Greene can replace him for a year and you can either put Aho or just pick up a cheap third pair LHD in Free Agency long term