It's been over two weeks since the New York Islanders players addressed the media, but not a peep from Lou Lamoriello or Lane Lambert. Our LLLLong Wait mailbag rolls on.
It's been over two weeks since the New York Islanders players addressed the media, but not a peep from Lou Lamoriello or Lane Lambert. Our LLLLong Wait mailbag rolls on.
What do we think Sorokin's price tag will be? Everything points to him being a team-first guy and loving it here, so most of us are truly expecting a solid deal where we get to keep Varly here as well. (@DynoDangle)
For as good of a season as Ilya Sorokin had, ending as a Vezina finalist, let's be realistic about his next contract.
Despite carrying the Islanders to the playoffs this past season, he failed to play to that level in the first round against the Carolina Hurricanes.
In 13 playoff games, Sorokin owns a 2.70 GAA with a .923 SV%.
This is not to say that he should sign a cheap deal. Without Sorokin, this team is not a playoff team. His stay on the island keeps their ability to compete alive, as long as he continues to play to the level he has shown through his first few years in the league.
Milstein told The Athletic's Kevin Kurz that "If the adequate offer is made, I'm sure he would seriously consider staying. There's no red flags that he's not going to like it (with the Islanders). In the end, the contract has to make sense."'
I -- not an NHL GM -- would feel that eight years at $8 million annually is a fair extension, making him the fourth-highest-paid netminder (AAV) in the NHL.
Could he get more to keep him on the island? For sure. And if the Islanders are serious about moving on from undesirable contracts this summer to get younger and grow as a group, there should be no issues with Sorokin getting more.
I've never heard one player say during an interview that they don't want to be where they are. Some are more believable than others, but with Sorokin, it sounded like he really wants to be on the island long-term, despite his unwillingness to talk about an extension.
"It's very great for me. Love this place and love the people who are around me," Sorokin said.
With Varlamov potentially coming back -- he wants to -- and with Alexander Romanov under contract, Sorokin is comfortable here.
What does your idealistic off-season look like for the Isles? (@DonatoCampanel2)
I think the offseason needs to start with being realistic.
The Islanders have never brought in an elite sniper, and that's dating back to the John Tavares era, so until they do that, assume it's not happening, especially with the cap space the Islanders do not have.
Moving contracts have to be the top priority, the first being Josh Bailey's. The longest-tenured Islander made it clear that if he stays on the island he wants to play.
Given how he was on the island this past year and didn't play in crunch time or in the playoffs, keeping him for one more season at a $5 million cap hit is a bit silly, despite how much he's meant to the organization.
The Islanders have around $5.3 million in cap space after signing Hudson Fasching (two-year deal) and Matthew Maggio (ELC). Moving Bailey's full cap hit allows the Islanders around $10.5 million.
Looking at the Islanders' pending UFAs, the Islanders should focus on bringing back Pierre Engvall. I don't think his style completely fits the Islanders given his lack of physicality but his speed and skill set worked with Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri.
Engvall is coming off a one-year, $2.25 million deal and he could likely get $3 million on the open market. But, he showed his importance.
I think the Islander should try to keep Scott Mayfield, but cap their number at $3 million. If he wants more, he can go, and the Islanders can use the space and roster spot on a puck-moving defenseman, which to me is more important than getting a top-six guy.
Dmitry Orlov would be a top candidate, but that would require north of $6 million annually, so the Islanders would need to create more space and that's if Orlov is interested in Long Island.
As for goaltending, if Varlamov is willing to come back at $2.5 million annually over two-to-three years, that's a win.
With Oliver Wahlstrom back healthy, Horvat and Barzal getting a full season together, and potentially having Zach Parise back in a bottom-six role, there's no reason the Islanders should not be better in 2023-24 without making crazy moves.
Good enough to win a Stanley Cup? That's the question.
Stefen, if the Islanders are old, then that means the Leafs are old too because they both have an average 28.2 age (@FiorilloRalph)
I think the word "old" is thrown around too easily. This Islanders group has been around together for quite some time, and yes, they have nine players on the other side of 30.
But they also have six potentially everyday players in 2023-24 that are 25 and under.
And there's way too much stock in the age of players.
Brock Nelson is in his prime right now at age 30. Zach Parise is coming off a strong campaign and is about to turn 39. Matt Martin, at 33, just had his best offensive season.
That being said, the Islanders do need to get younger, and it may be time to see what their prospects have.
The rebuild crowd has gone quiet after what the Hurricanes did to the Devils. (@JCrew001)
The rebuild crowd should never have been a thing, to begin with. I feel like I've beaten the dead horse on this so much that PETA has stopped calling.
As long as the Islanders have Sorokin in goal -- expecting him to sign long-term -- he will ruin any chance at a rebuild because he will steal games.
With Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat about to start eight-year deals, there's no chance at a rebuild.
The word is retool, spelled R.E.T.O.O.L.
The Islanders can retool this summer if they bring back the unrestricted free agents that they deem part of their future while parting ways with pieces that are not.