Dreger: Islanders interested in Hanifin

[Mr Misunderstood]

Isles have no cap space and very few tradeable players

I disagree, we have a lot of tradeable players.

The word you're looking for is valuable players.

 

[YP44]

This thread made me look up the Islanders cap friendly page, i then learned that Paul Ladue is part of the Islanders organization.
Always routed for that guy as a king.

 

[StreetHawk]

Just said on the Leafs - Kraken TSN pre-game that the Islanders are interested in Hanifin and Hanifin might get the extension he wants that way.

Isles have Dobson, Pelech, Pullock, Romanov, plus Mayfield. I mean, that is kind of overdoing it on the D core, unless someone of that group of 5 is going back the other way. Can't have those 5 plus Hanifin on a fully healthy roster.

May not have a choice, Only two signed D beyond this season. Andersson and Weegar.
Can't let them all walk, and why bother extending them if they don't want to be here. More assets coming to Calgary in Tanev and Hanifin trades.

Kind of why Calgary took less to not retain on Zadorov. Keep all 3 retention slots open for Lindholm, Hanifin, and Tanev should they need it.

 

[PWJunior]

Isles have Dobson, Pelech, Pullock, Romanov, plus Mayfield. I mean, that is kind of overdoing it on the D core, unless someone of that group of 5 is going back the other way. Can't have those 5 plus Hanifin on a fully healthy roster.


Kind of why Calgary took less to not retain on Zadorov. Keep all 3 retention slots open for Lindholm, Hanifin, and Tanev should they need it.

The LD is a weakness for the Isles. Pelech is great, but he is getting hurt often to the point where some consider him a bit injury prone. Romanov is up and down, he has been a bit disappointing. Aho needs to be launched into the Sun and Bolduc is still not ready. Reilly is Reilly.

Dobson and Pulock are carrying the defense right now. Mayfield has been up and down too.

Adding Hanafin and a healthy Pelech could make the defense scary, especially if they make the playoffs.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

The LD is a weakness for the Isles. Pelech is great, but he is getting hurt often to the point where some consider him a bit injury prone. Romanov is up and down, he has been a bit disappointing. Aho needs to be launched into the Sun and Bolduc is still not ready. Reilly is Reilly.

Dobson and Pulock are carrying the defense right now. Mayfield has been up and down too.

Adding Hanafin and a healthy Pelech could make the defense scary, especially if they make the playoffs.

Wouldn't the cap space/assets be better spent bolstering the scoring up front though? Adding a Hanifin-level equivalent forward seems like a better play than adding to a position they're already relatively strong at, even with the inconsistencies they're seeing.

 

[Guttersniped]

Along with this, he also said he heard teams asking about Ristolainen due to his strong play this season and a few other small things I can't remember.

Wow, this must have been a pretty impressive 48:52 minutes of hockey if these 3 GP inspired Ristolainen trade rumors.

 

[PWJunior]

Wouldn't the cap space/assets be better spent bolstering the scoring up front though? Adding a Hanifin-level equivalent forward seems like a better play than adding to a position they're already relatively strong at, even with the inconsistencies they're seeing.

I'm just going by the logic of this supposed rumor and answering why Hanafin makes sense for the Isles. I do think the Isles need to upgrade on Reilly/Aho's #3LD spot and is probably the 2nd biggest need of the team. Dobson taking the next step has really saved the defense, but he's had games of 31 minutes, 29+ minutes, and another 27+ last night (3 games in 4 nights) so he needs some support. Hanafin is a luxury get, but it would be a drool worthy defense when Pelech is back healthy. Paired with the Sorokin/Varlamov combo, the Isles can play that "boring and killing hockey style" that so many hate. They just have to hope they generate enough offense. You know, the usual blueprint of Lou teams.

Adding an impact forward is the clear need so of course I'd prefer that.

 

[SI90]

Not

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I’m not saying you’re wrong but people in glass houses…

Wahlstrom vs Kakko (#2 OA btw)

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to mention he had a serious injury last year and is coming off of surgery