Thanks Stefen, good reporting as usual. IMO big miss on Boeser if Darche was close he should've sealed the deal. Isles haven't had a quality RW since Eberle. I understand the setbacks of offering more so we'll see how the season goes on the right side.
Loving The Elmonters, and all of your great work Stefen. Wanted to piece together two parts of your most recent letter/post and ask you about it.
PART A
"With a healthy Barzal and Anthony Duclair, along with players like Simon Holmstrom and Maxim Tsyplakov taking strides, the Islanders should be better than they were this past season."
PART B
"Given the upcoming 2026 NHL Trade Deadline—where the Islanders could potentially be parting ways with Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Casey Cizikas, and Anders Lee"
So, if you're right about Part A, do you have a read on what Darche does re: Part B? If the Islanders are somehow in playoff position come the trade deadline, does he move those players, especially those about to be UFA's, because, given their age, they're not part of the Isles' long-term future, and could command quite a bit in a trade? Or does he keep them b/c the team is contending for a postseason berth?
Curious what you think. Do you have an early read, from interacting with Darche, on what he might do in that situation?
I am strangely high on this season. I think they made low risk moves like the Caps did last year. The Caps hit on the majority of those moves. The Islanders have a ton of competition at all positions, and enough talent to make the playoff for sure. Less injuries and maturing players with the additions should make for a fun season. Plus ELC could be signed at the end of the season ( Eiserman, Schaefer). A guy like Barzel needs to elevate. Between Horvat Holmstrom Barzel Palmeri Tsyplakov, Shabanov, Drouin, JG, Lee Defenders and Goalies there is enough there. Getting out of the gate strong and establishing winning ways at UBS are critical. Winning Edge at home needs to be established, too many teams are coming into UBS and eating the Islanders lunch. Physicality is also an element that has to return, they have been too soft. Love to see Romanov and Aitcheson on the same D Core lol 😂. Opponents are going to be very leery to stick handle into O Zone and dangle with their head down. You start stacking guys that hit like that it has a tremendous effect on the game. Opponents start to make business decisions especially during the regular season. Sorokin becomes more effective!
Brock Boeser I don’t get at all! He is exactly the same type of bandaid Lou might have gone for. I guess everything fell right for the Islanders. Boeser isn’t a play driver or does he have the speed we are looking for. Bring him in for seven years would have blown up in Darche’s face. I just chalk this up to the organization’s determination or desperation to make the playoffs next year. To me we dodged a bullet! Everything fell right in my opinion. We traded Dobson, then failed to move up for James Hagens. Then drafted maybe the most talented winger in the draft Eklund, and an absolute warrior and stud in LHD Aitcheson. I would argue we are much better off with them, then if we did complete the trade with Boston. Winger and Defenseman are bigger needs than center. Both Eklund and Aitcheson are more Kinetic and explosive players than Hagens. It’s funny how things work out. Sometimes you need a little luck 🍀! Darche signing Maxim Shabanov was a fantastic low risk move. Boeser would have hung around our neck’s like Andrew Ladd. Stay the course and home grow everything going forward. It’s far superior than the free agent route. We certainly will never be short on veteran leadership. Nashville made Boeser Type moves and you saw the results on that, I couldn’t be happier with the off season. Even though I was for sighing Mitch Marner. It will be interesting to see how he performs without getting the easy apples from Papi.
It’s the typical Garth Snow “rebuild forever” crowd that gives up on the season in July. The ‘best’ recently was when Druin signed: “well now we have an asset to sell in 2027” ah so TWO seasons down the drain now, got it. I hate them all. Go root for the Sabres.
Thanks Stefen, good reporting as usual. IMO big miss on Boeser if Darche was close he should've sealed the deal. Isles haven't had a quality RW since Eberle. I understand the setbacks of offering more so we'll see how the season goes on the right side.
Loving The Elmonters, and all of your great work Stefen. Wanted to piece together two parts of your most recent letter/post and ask you about it.
PART A
"With a healthy Barzal and Anthony Duclair, along with players like Simon Holmstrom and Maxim Tsyplakov taking strides, the Islanders should be better than they were this past season."
PART B
"Given the upcoming 2026 NHL Trade Deadline—where the Islanders could potentially be parting ways with Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Casey Cizikas, and Anders Lee"
So, if you're right about Part A, do you have a read on what Darche does re: Part B? If the Islanders are somehow in playoff position come the trade deadline, does he move those players, especially those about to be UFA's, because, given their age, they're not part of the Isles' long-term future, and could command quite a bit in a trade? Or does he keep them b/c the team is contending for a postseason berth?
Curious what you think. Do you have an early read, from interacting with Darche, on what he might do in that situation?
https://sanjosehockeynow.com/san-jose-sharks-victor-eklund-drafted-by-new-york-islanders/Victor Eklund Shares Draft Emotion, Development Camp Advice From William | San Jose Hockey Now
They Got a Winner in this kid with 30 goal scorer written all over him.
I am strangely high on this season. I think they made low risk moves like the Caps did last year. The Caps hit on the majority of those moves. The Islanders have a ton of competition at all positions, and enough talent to make the playoff for sure. Less injuries and maturing players with the additions should make for a fun season. Plus ELC could be signed at the end of the season ( Eiserman, Schaefer). A guy like Barzel needs to elevate. Between Horvat Holmstrom Barzel Palmeri Tsyplakov, Shabanov, Drouin, JG, Lee Defenders and Goalies there is enough there. Getting out of the gate strong and establishing winning ways at UBS are critical. Winning Edge at home needs to be established, too many teams are coming into UBS and eating the Islanders lunch. Physicality is also an element that has to return, they have been too soft. Love to see Romanov and Aitcheson on the same D Core lol 😂. Opponents are going to be very leery to stick handle into O Zone and dangle with their head down. You start stacking guys that hit like that it has a tremendous effect on the game. Opponents start to make business decisions especially during the regular season. Sorokin becomes more effective!
Brock Boeser I don’t get at all! He is exactly the same type of bandaid Lou might have gone for. I guess everything fell right for the Islanders. Boeser isn’t a play driver or does he have the speed we are looking for. Bring him in for seven years would have blown up in Darche’s face. I just chalk this up to the organization’s determination or desperation to make the playoffs next year. To me we dodged a bullet! Everything fell right in my opinion. We traded Dobson, then failed to move up for James Hagens. Then drafted maybe the most talented winger in the draft Eklund, and an absolute warrior and stud in LHD Aitcheson. I would argue we are much better off with them, then if we did complete the trade with Boston. Winger and Defenseman are bigger needs than center. Both Eklund and Aitcheson are more Kinetic and explosive players than Hagens. It’s funny how things work out. Sometimes you need a little luck 🍀! Darche signing Maxim Shabanov was a fantastic low risk move. Boeser would have hung around our neck’s like Andrew Ladd. Stay the course and home grow everything going forward. It’s far superior than the free agent route. We certainly will never be short on veteran leadership. Nashville made Boeser Type moves and you saw the results on that, I couldn’t be happier with the off season. Even though I was for sighing Mitch Marner. It will be interesting to see how he performs without getting the easy apples from Papi.
This team will not compete for 3rd in division as currently contructed. Should be in the 8, 9 or 10th range within cinference.
Well.. Marc said there's no chance.. so I guess pack it in and we'll see you next year.
It’s the typical Garth Snow “rebuild forever” crowd that gives up on the season in July. The ‘best’ recently was when Druin signed: “well now we have an asset to sell in 2027” ah so TWO seasons down the drain now, got it. I hate them all. Go root for the Sabres.