Last time until October 9th. This is what I want this team to look like next time they take the ice. Basically a conglomeration of everything I've suggested over the summer, so I'll run through everything one more time.
Vatrano isn't a realistic get, I know. With Hoffman and potentially Dadonov walking, Florida has every reason to want to hold onto the reasonably priced and highly skilled Vatrano. However, they need defense too and Mayfield can bring that in bunches. With Dobson looking ready to step into the top-4 (I think he could make the jump), Mayfield could end up being expendable in the next year or so and I think Seattle snags him in expansion anyways. So here's a nice little hockey trade (remember those?) that I think satisfies needs from both teams -- Florida gets a cheap defender and the Isles get a cheap forward. I threw Dal Colle in just because, he's our 12th forward at best, if Florida could send a fringe piece back too, I wouldn't mind it but I don't really care if it's 2 for 1.
Honestly, I don't think Komarov should have to be dumped; he had a good playoff, plays solid defense and seems to be a good teammate. His contract is also fairly reasonable, with all bonuses being paid and only $3 million in salary to be paid over the next two years. The cap hit is a little high, but with another small piece attached, I think you could justify swallowing the whole thing. As for the Sabres, they are operating on an internal cap, but are losing a lot of their bottom-6 to free agency this offseason. With the addition of Bellows and Komarov, you get two NHL ready players for around $2.5 million who can provide solid depth in that area of the roster, with Bellows still having some potential to be a top-6 contributor. A move like this also negates the effort to try and attract and potentially overpay for free agents.
Leddy is a piece I like a lot but has become a luxury for the Islanders and doesn't seem to totally fit in Barry Trotz's defense-first, dump/chase system. To another team, I still think he can provide really good top-4 value with his offensive mindset and strong puck-moving. That said, his contract could potentially make him less valuable on the trade market. As a result the Islanders will have to retain some money and get a lesser draft pick back, but from New Jersey, also get Connor Carrick, a 6-7 defenseman who has been solid defensively in the past and hasn't played much of a role in with the Devils so far. In this scenario, Carrick is our number 6, with Hickey and Ryan being available to play in his place if he can't handle it. Not totally sure if Leddy fits perfectly with the Devils based on their roster needs, but there are other suitors if not and I think he could at the very least help a power play that was 21st in the NHL last season.
This last one hurts. I wanted to put Ladd on LTIR and just wipe my hands of it, but I'm not convinced that he will be and there's no realistic or advantageous way in which we could trade him. Boychuk's cap hit is slightly more expensive, but the contract is shorter and has less to be paid in bonuses over the next two seasons ($2.75 million in bonuses, with an additional $2.5 million in base salary). I think this would be an attractive option for a team with cap space looking to get some future assets. Anahiem made a similar trade this year, acquiring David Backes to get an extra 1st rounder and a prospect and they make a similar move here, while the Islanders get a low-ceiling young player in Max Jones and a mid round pick. They also take back Erik Gudbranson, who they buy out to avoid having to retain $2 million on Boychuk. The buyout cost is only $1 million next season, freeing up another million dollars in space for 21-22. It's a lot to give up, but Jones could be a solid bottom-6 guy and a 4th or 5th is a pick, so you never know what you might get there. Ultimately, it's a price I'm willing to pay if Ladd is still healthy and we need to get under the cap.
As far as RFA contract go, no one really knows how things are going to get. We've seen every number under the sun get thrown out for Barzal and honestly, you could make an argument for any of them. I went with a bridge deal, just because I think that's probably most advantageous for both team and player (and gets us under the cap, let's be honest) but who knows. If he gets too much more than what's here, that's going to change things quite a bit, but again, we'll see. Pulock and Toews get what I think they're worth idk.
So that's that. Almost time to see how this all shakes out. Gonna be interesting and at the end of the day, as long as we get Barzal, Pulock and Toews on reasonable contracts, I declare this offseason a success. They are our three best players (in my opinion), so keeping them around is obviously priority number 1. Fingers crossed everyone
i could see the potential for all of these things, very well done, islanders could then lock up 20-60-2 for the next 5 years
As in we'd lose 60 games? Not sure how that's the conclusion you came to about a team that was a bounce away from Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals but go off I guess
I doubt wed need to retain any salary if all we are getting are Carrick and a 5th
I like Leddy but I think he's going to have significantly less value than he otherwise would with the flat cap. He's gonna be owed $7 million in the final year of his deal too, making his deal even less attractive. Maybe we could get more if we're retaining, but I do think some concessions will have to be made if we want to move him
I like Leddy but I think he's going to have significantly less value than he otherwise would with the flat cap. He's gonna be owed $7 million in the final year of his deal too, making his deal even less attractive. Maybe we could get more if we're retaining, but I do think some concessions will have to be made if we want to move him
Lou has already received Calls on Leddy . I’m fine with retaining on Leddy , but we shouldn’t be taking back Garrick as well.
If teams are willing to trade for OEL when he’s due 10.5 mill next season, I think it’s possible isles won’t have to retain
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