Simple Question: Who do you guys think Seattle will select from the Islanders? There really aren't a ton of amazing options for them. Assuming Barzal, Beauvillier, Lee, Eberle, Nelson, Pageau, Bailey, Pelech, Pulock and Varlamov are protected, how do you all think it will go? I'll give some brief analysis, along with my prediction.
Sebastian Aho (D): Smooth-skating puck mover out of Sweden; put up gaudy point totals in the AHL, but hasn't played a professional game in almost A YEAR. Has the most upside out of the likely options, but also maybe the most risk.
Kieffer Bellows (W): Former 1st round pick who has yet to prove he can stick in the NHL. AHL career is also a mixed bag, but he has shown flashes of being a capable middle six scorer. Could hit a stride with some more consistent playing time, but likely won't get those opportunities on Long Island.
Scott Mayfield (D): Pure defensive defenseman with very little offensive upside. On a steal of a contract for a player in his role, which I think makes him the most attractive of the listed options, especially if Seattle was looking to flip him.
Michael Dal Colle (LW): Reliable defensive forward, again, with little offensive ability. Has carved out a nice role on the 3rd line as a forechecker/shutdown forward but far from the hype surrounding the 5th overall pick. Could be a nice depth piece in the NHL, however, for years to come.
Nick Leddy (D): Having a resurgent season, in terms of both point production and overall impact, but makes a whopping $7 million in real money next season. Seattle would be one of the few teams in the league that could afford him without the Islanders retaining a considerable chunk of the final year of his contract.
Trades?: With several RFAs to be signed in the offseason, the Islanders could look to strike a deal with Seattle to take a bad contract. Personally, I think moving Komarov would be more advantageous, as we could move $3 million off the books for next season and not have to pay a boatload in return (like we would for Ladd). Not sure if it's worth it to the Kraken and it might not be worth it to us to make it worth it to them, but it's a route worth keeping on the radar.
My prediction: I think the Kraken will look to take a big swing with the Isles. Not much to choose from, so you might as well take a little more of a risk. I'll say they select Sebastian Aho, after liking what they see from him when he gets into a couple of games later on this season. The Isles have been very lucky with injuries this season (Beauvillier and Dal Colle have been the only big ones so far) and there is the looming threat of Covid hanging over the league as well. If one defenseman gets hurt, Aho is going to get in, unless they want to go to Thomas Hickey, who hasn't played professionally in nearly TWO YEARS. But I'm legitimately interested to see how the rest of you feel about it.
Yeah, it's probably Bellows unless the Isles want to give up assets to dump cap, which probably isn't the worst idea since they could use some parts, but don't have the space to make any moves right now.
Imo Keffer Bellows, he needs another system to play in, and he needs time, Seattle has to go with youth bc of the new rules. But its just my opinion.
I could see that for sure. I think he's a serviceable 3rd liner right now, I think on a team where he'll get the opportunities he could get even better
I'm hoping it's one of Leddy, Bailey/Eberle (if one is exposed), or Varlamov to lose some salary. And it's not like any of those options would hurt on an expansion team. Look at how helpful guys like Perron, Neal, Colin Miller, etc. were on VGK.
But it could be a trade where they take Ladd's contract. It could be Bellows. It's really tough to say.
I’m thinking there’s gonna be some sort of deal made to protect mayfield and they’re gonna offer up bellows+aho+a later pick to take Leo.. if we’re talking straight up it’s probably gonna be mayfield but I could be dead wrong
I think we protect: Barzal, Lee, Ebs, Beau, Nelson, Bailey, JGP, Pelech, Pulock, Mayfield (we protect 3D I’m almost 100% sure, and Varly.) Assuming this is our list and we don’t pay them to take like Komorav (don’t wanna give up the assets to dump Ladd when there’s a decent chance he goes to Robidas island soon), I think they’ll take Bellows or Aho. Since there will be a pretty solid crop of defensemen I think they take Bellows
I’m thinking there’s gonna be some sort of deal made to protect mayfield and they’re gonna offer up bellows+aho+a later pick to take Leo.. if we’re talking straight up it’s probably gonna be mayfield but I could be dead wrong
bellows - I don't think it will happen but If the isles leave eberle exposed I think there's a good chance they'll take him. They invested a lot into an analytics department and eberle has provided 1st line value the past two seasons.
It’s a good discussion. It may be more clear once we are past the trade deadline. I would like to see a deal that includes Johnston and Hickey. I don’t see much of a role for Johnston moving forward. Seattle will need some toughness.
Obviously Lou needs to deal with Komarov and Ladd contracts. Hopefully move Komarov at deadline and I still believe Ladd will be LTIR next season.
So...Johnston, Hickey, Bellows, Wotherspoon + 2022 Colorado 2nd.
No cap to sign a UFA, trotz won’t run a defense with 2 rookies eating significant minutes, bellows has no fit and they can dump Leo’s contract, its all shaping up perfectly to see this happen
bellows - I don't think it will happen but If the isles leave eberle exposed I think there's a good chance they'll take him. They invested a lot into an analytics department and eberle has provided 1st line value the past two seasons.
If they expose Eberle, I'll lose my mind. I'll be honest, I didn't love when we brought him back after 18-19, but he's been outstanding the past two seasons
If they expose Eberle, I'll lose my mind. I'll be honest, I didn't love when we brought him back after 18-19, but he's been outstanding the past two seasons
He had trouble adapting to trotz system, but yeah he’s been great the past two seasons. I feel like he’s gotten more dynamic as he’s gotten older lol - kind of gives off radulov vibes lol.
No cap to sign a UFA, trotz won’t run a defense with 2 rookies eating significant minutes, bellows has no fit and they can dump Leo’s contract, its all shaping up perfectly to see this happen
Isles can sign a UFA 3rd pairing D for under 1.5 mill next season. It would be dumb to make a deal to protect a depth defenseman IMO
I'm hoping it's one of Leddy, Bailey/Eberle (if one is exposed), or Varlamov to lose some salary. And it's not like any of those options would hurt on an expansion team. Look at how helpful guys like Perron, Neal, Colin Miller, etc. were on VGK.
But it could be a trade where they take Ladd's contract. It could be Bellows. It's really tough to say.
It is tough to say. I can't really see Ladd - I think we can survive with his deal still on the books and the draft capital we'd have to give up would be quite significant. Plus a lot of his remaining deal is signing bonuses, which Seattle likely could pay, but probably wouldn't want to. Plus, he's not really an NHLer anymore.
If they're looking towards the future, I think Bellows or Aho are likely. If they're trying to be like Vegas and be competitive in year 1, Mayfield/Leddy or MDC could be good options.
I say leave Bailey or Leddy available and attach a third to it. Move Wahlstrom to second line if Bailey is taken and Insert Salo into the D core next year
Isles can sign a UFA 3rd pairing D for under 1.5 mill next season. It would be dumb to make a deal to protect a depth defenseman IMO
I’m not disagreeing but I think the bigger thing would be dumping Leo’s contract than protecting mayfield when you’re possibly gonna lose bellows anyways you’re paying them an extra dman with potential who will never see the ice to take 1 year of a bad contract.. I think it works for both teams
He had trouble adapting to trotz system, but yeah he’s been great the past two seasons. I feel like he’s gotten more dynamic as he’s gotten older lol - kind of gives off radulov vibes lol.
That’s a good call, hopefully he ages just as well
I think we protect: Barzal, Lee, Ebs, Beau, Nelson, Bailey, JGP, Pelech, Pulock, Mayfield (we protect 3D I’m almost 100% sure, and Varly.) Assuming this is our list and we don’t pay them to take like Komorav (don’t wanna give up the assets to dump Ladd when there’s a decent chance he goes to Robidas island soon), I think they’ll take Bellows or Aho. Since there will be a pretty solid crop of defensemen I think they take Bellows
Yeah we can protect 3D, just didn’t include Leddy or Mayfield because I don’t know which one gets protected lol, the rest seem like slam dunks.
As for Bellows, he makes sense but I wonder if Seattle looks over him after Trotz kinda told him to kick rocks. In fairness, he’s shown even less interest in Aho and that’s who I’ve said I think they take, so I don’t know.
Maybe Leo gets back into the lineup, goes on a heater and makes it impossible for Seattle not to take him fingers crossed
It’s a good discussion. It may be more clear once we are past the trade deadline. I would like to see a deal that includes Johnston and Hickey. I don’t see much of a role for Johnston moving forward. Seattle will need some toughness.
Obviously Lou needs to deal with Komarov and Ladd contracts. Hopefully move Komarov at deadline and I still believe Ladd will be LTIR next season.
So...Johnston, Hickey, Bellows, Wotherspoon + 2022 Colorado 2nd.
That’s certainly a haul. The thing with Johnston is that he can be buried really easily, so there’s really no reason to move him for cap purposes and Hickey can be bought out for pretty cheap this offseason with only a season remaining on his deal. That’s why I think trading Komarov works the best for us, if we were to look at making a trade with them
Yeah we can protect 3D, just didn’t include Leddy or Mayfield because I don’t know which one gets protected lol, the rest seem like slam dunks.
As for Bellows, he makes sense but I wonder if Seattle looks over him after Trotz kinda told him to kick rocks. In fairness, he’s shown even less interest in Aho and that’s who I’ve said I think they take, so I don’t know.
Maybe Leo gets back into the lineup, goes on a heater and makes it impossible for Seattle not to take him fingers crossed
Quoting: ForsbergForVezina
Yeah we can protect 3D, just didn’t include Leddy or Mayfield because I don’t know which one gets protected lol, the rest seem like slam dunks.
As for Bellows, he makes sense but I wonder if Seattle looks over him after Trotz kinda told him to kick rocks. In fairness, he’s shown even less interest in Aho and that’s who I’ve said I think they take, so I don’t know.
Maybe Leo gets back into the lineup, goes on a heater and makes it impossible for Seattle not to take him fingers crossed
I don’t think Seattle would care too much what out coach thinks ab bellows. I also don’t think they take Leddy cuz of his backloaded contract and there will probably be better, younger d available. And I def don’t think Leo goes on a heater lmfao
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