Now is probably the time to finally go all-in

2ndGenIslander

Registered User
Feb 2, 2012
5,365
2,081
Nassau
With Tavares on a modest contract and Barzal on an ELC for the next 3 years, we have one of the best first and second line center duos making a combined 6.36 Mil/year. That's basically unheard of in today's NHL. We have the cap room and assets currently to go all-in for the cup this year if Snow is able to pull a few decent trades. Giving up some pieces to acquire a top D man and an upgrade in goaltending will turn this team into a true contender and I think this season is clearly the time to strike. Our window starts this year.
 
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majormet

Registered User
Nov 12, 2009
9,440
1,623
Dix Hills, NY
It's not the big trades that put you over, it is the little ones

Luongo for Halak and one of our 2nds
Hjamarlsson for the other 2nd and Hickey

First trade gets us a goalie with .3 better save pct traditionally then our current group
Second trade takes Hickey and Seids off the ice without having to dress 3 novices
 

First Blood

The Greiss Is Right!
Feb 17, 2014
3,917
116
Bradenton, FL
We gotta tread carefully. I would love to see us add a player of OEL's caliber but we cannot completely mortgage the future. I really like the way our team is built now, we have sustainable success. A bad trade with us moving a lot of pieces the other way could really set us back.
 
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periferal

Registered User
Jul 5, 2007
28,416
15,842
Big or small this team NEEDS to add on defense. Need to push Hickey off the team and let guys like Mayfield only be 7th D. That would change everything.
 
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Isles Junkie

Registered User
Jul 4, 2008
9,747
1,068
Brooklyn, NY
We gotta tread carefully. I would love to see us add a player of OEL's caliber but we cannot completely mortgage the future. I really like the way our team is built now, we have sustainable success. A bad trade with us moving a lot of pieces the other way could really set us back.

A non-move keeps us where we are. Which is just near the top of a very compacted heap. 2 bad games in a row & we're potentially in 6th place in the division.

I like this team a lot. But if there's a Dman out there that will help, you go for it. Even if it means mortgaging some of our future. What's the point in stockpiling all of these players if we don't use them as chips sometimes?

We have a shot to be put over the top with a big move. We should make it if it's sensible.
 
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Lame Lambert

Fire Lou
Mar 5, 2015
21,216
15,631
Whatever moves we make, I'd rather pick up bigger pieces now and then look to add some injury depth at the deadline.
 

Islanders4Cups

Registered User
May 4, 2002
4,673
1,526
Boston, MA USA
As of last night, this team is a legitimate contender. They are lacking 3 or 4th line center depending where you put Cizekas. They need to improve on faceoffs IMO. Addressing that need with a Frans Nielsen in his prime center and a healthy Cizekas is what we need. That’s it.
 
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Doshell Propivo

Registered User
Dec 5, 2005
11,233
4,884
It's not the big trades that put you over, it is the little ones

Luongo for Halak and one of our 2nds
Hjamarlsson for the other 2nd and Hickey

First trade gets us a goalie with .3 better save pct traditionally then our current group
Second trade takes Hickey and Seids off the ice without having to dress 3 novices
We're not trading for a goalie. And if we do, it's a hard pass on Luongo for me...
 

JeffNYI

Registered User
Jun 16, 2006
2,216
405
Might be the wrong thread for this question, but I'm asking to better understand where we're at in terms of our blue line situation if we do want to make a move..

I know we have 8 D on the NYI roster.. but most teams use 10-12 D in a season..

Seeing as how I haven't watched a single Bridgeport Sound Tigers game in the history of that franchise, can someone answer me: Who do we have down there that can come up this season and help us if need be?

Toews? Aho?

Are those guys ready to come in for 5-10 games? Can we afford to lose *ANY* of our NHL-capable defensemen in any transactions at all?
 

Lame Lambert

Fire Lou
Mar 5, 2015
21,216
15,631
Might be the wrong thread for this question, but I'm asking to better understand where we're at in terms of our blue line situation if we do want to make a move..

I know we have 8 D on the NYI roster.. but most teams use 10-12 D in a season..

Seeing as how I haven't watched a single Bridgeport Sound Tigers game in the history of that franchise, can someone answer me: Who do we have down there that can come up this season and help us if need be?

Toews? Aho?

Are those guys ready to come in for 5-10 games? Can we afford to lose *ANY* of our NHL-capable defensemen in any transactions at all?
If we do it has to be one of Hickey or Seidenberg.
 

Satan'sIsland81

Registered User
Feb 9, 2007
8,102
3,504
The original poster is absolutely right. There is no doubt that if this team is in a similar position near the deadline as they are now (top 3 in division, top 5 in conference, top 8 in league), you MUST go all in. This season, right now. Another chance like this might not come along for 10 years regardless of who is resigned or let go. You play to win a championship THIS year and then figure everything else out after the season. This current group of players is already a unit that if it stays healthy should win a round or two in the playoffs. However, and I am not joking, this team is literally 2-3 things away from being a legit contender for the CUP, not the playoffs, not the conference finals, the CUP.
1) Would I Love OEL or someone of that level? Yes. I hope it happens. But I think we need a legit, top 3 dman. Not necessarily a bona fide number 1, although if we can get that, great. But i think a real top 3 dman gets it done.
2) A third line center that specializes in faceoffs.
3) Either a goaltending upgrade or see the recent improvement from our own goalies continue

If these three things happen, I believe we can beat any team in the NHL and it is a matter of the team just going out on the ice and doing it.
 
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PWJunior

Stay safe!
Apr 11, 2010
42,751
22,569
Long Island, NY
I agree with the whole premise of the thread, we'll see what happens.

Garth is well positioned with assets to make things happen. Currently, Calgary is out of playoff position so that pick could carry a little more value too. Nelson needs to go on one of his good streaks.
 

majormet

Registered User
Nov 12, 2009
9,440
1,623
Dix Hills, NY
We're not trading for a goalie. And if we do, it's a hard pass on Luongo for me...

I think the long haul of the season will expose the goaltending at some stretch. Luongo will be 39 in April but he still has it, he is superior to our existing tandem and hungry for a cup and supposedly one of the best locker room guys.. He would be a major upgrade
 
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Poulin 0n My St1ck

Registered User
Oct 18, 2010
3,054
1,720
IMO, we have 3 necessary upgrades and 1 optional upgrade.

Necessary:
1. As SI81 indicated, a Top 3 defenseman;
2. A veteran defensive/depth defenseman (ideally, with a Cup title on his resume);
3. A 4C faceoff specialist

Optional: Upgrade in net

If Snow can take care of even 2 of the 3 of the mandatory upgrades (without mortgaging the next few seasons), I think we can make some serious noise for the first time in a long time. Needless to say, we need to give something of value to get something of value, but I think we can land a big fish by packaging our 2018 first-rounders, plus someone like Nelson/Pulock.
 

lazycop

Dave's not here.
Mar 25, 2006
1,575
464
I'm up for Luongo and while we're at it, let's add another ex-Isles greybeard, Chara(as long as the price isn't crazy). I think he'd be PERFECT for the rest of the year and playoffs for depth D. I'd rather add him for (relative) pennies for the rest of this season as opposed to selling most of our top-end assets for 1 1/2 yrs of OEL.
 

TeamKidd

Registered User
Aug 9, 2004
6,019
2,288
I get that you all want to be all in, but in the (un)likely event that we go all in and Tavares ends up leaving...we’ve lost Tavares and mortgaged away all of our future...it’ll get ugly real quick.
 

Poulin 0n My St1ck

Registered User
Oct 18, 2010
3,054
1,720
I'm up for Luongo and while we're at it, let's add another ex-Isles greybeard, Chara(as long as the price isn't crazy). I think he'd be PERFECT for the rest of the year and playoffs for depth D. I'd rather add him for (relative) pennies for the rest of this season as opposed to selling most of our top-end assets for 1 1/2 yrs of OEL.

It would be surreal if the Isles won the Cup with Luongo and Chara. Talk about things coming full circle.
 

Riseonfire

Josh Bailey! GAME ONE, TO THE ISLAND!!!
Nov 8, 2009
11,303
5,281
Guys, 'Shutdown' defenders mean we don't have the puck. The best defense is possessing the puck. Please lets not trade for a Walrus.
 

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