Ben we are officially off the front page. You gotta have some kind of story to get us back on.

lou is def a member of the greatest generation that handed this country away to communists because he was far too concerned with other men's hair and people wearing hats indoors to actually pay attention

If only Lou had beaten the Communists, we would have never lost Game 7 in 2021

If only Lou had beaten the Communists, we would have never lost Game 7 in 2021
- UIF

https://sports.yahoo.com/...pick-jesse-130638781.html

Nothing seems to come easy for this team.

https://sports.yahoo.com/islanders-2024-draft-pick-jesse-130638781.html

Nothing seems to come easy for this team.
- JohnScammo

Are you stating we cannot have nice things John?

Are you stating we cannot have nice things John?
- ses111

Are you stating we cannot have nice things John?
- ses111

This is a rinse and repeat article.

https://thehockeywriters....es-make-create-cap-space/

Three more weeks until preseason begins.

- Nfdbulldawg

Pulkkinen seems like a very intriguing prospect. Islanders alos have George and other defensive prospects. Makes the Mayfield deal even worse.

Pulkkinen seems like a very intriguing prospect. Islanders alos have George and other defensive prospects. Makes the Mayfield deal even worse.
- ses111

If these guys were ready to step in, I would agree with you. However, these kids are not ready yet and could use some seasoning in Bridgeport. I think they are a minimum 2 years away.

I would also like to see if Mayfield bounces back. It could help lessen the cost to move him.

If these guys were ready to step in, I would agree with you. However, these kids are not ready yet and could use some seasoning in Bridgeport. I think they are a minimum 2 years away.

I would also like to see if Mayfield bounces back. It could help lessen the cost to move him.
- Nfdbulldawg

I still think it's smart for shorter term deals for 3rd paid dmen. Especially helpful if some of the prospects are ready quicker than expected.

If these guys were ready to step in, I would agree with you. However, these kids are not ready yet and could use some seasoning in Bridgeport. I think they are a minimum 2 years away.

I would also like to see if Mayfield bounces back. It could help lessen the cost to move him.
- Nfdbulldawg

I think mayfield has a bounce back season. There was a few years where he was serviceable.

I think mayfield has a bounce back season. There was a few years where he was serviceable.
- kindlyrick

Mayfield needs to have a bounce back season, one because the team needs him too. Secondly, if they are looking to sell him, he cannot be a bicycle with square wheels.

I still think it's smart for shorter term deals for 3rd paid dmen. Especially helpful if some of the prospects are ready quicker than expected.
- ses111

I know everyone is looking for security. But a 7-year deal is only for your elite. Your mid-range should be 5 years and everyone else is 1 to 3 years.

Lou gambled on these players and so far, he has come up poorly. Again, placing this team in a position where they have to use draft picks and or prospect sell off instead of stocking up. Engvall and Mayfield were and are replaceable.

I love that Lou brought respectability back to the Islanders. I am forever grateful. However, for this team to take the next step, we need a someone that truly understands today's NHL and today's players.

Until then we will be a bubble team. Just enough to bring you to the edge of your chair and leave you hanging and #$%^&*.

Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli is saying that three teams are willing to sign veteran winger Max Pacioretty to a one-year deal, and I’m hearing one of the teams interested in the Connecticut native is the Islanders.

The Isles are right at the cap, so GM Lou Lamoriello may have to clear some space to sign the 35-year-old.

If we were one player away, I would consider it. This team is not one player away.

You could offer him a PTO as he might help PP if healthy. Otherwise, I look at other options.

Duclair’s grooming choice might seem personal, but it has broader implications tied to his Haitian heritage. This situation could spark debates about race, individual expression, and workplace discrimination, potentially leading to criticism of the Islanders and the NHL. In a diverse city like New York, the team’s grooming policy might seem out of touch with community values, questioning the inclusivity and cultural sensitivity of the team and the sport.

Enough with everyone needs a trophy theory. There is nothing wrong with having your employees groomed neatly and, in a suit, and tie. My son has been playing hockey since he was 3, he has been wearing a shirt and tie since 6, in juniors he wore a suit. Guys are now customizing their suits. He just bought a custom suit for college.

I see nothing wrong with an organization wanting to represent themselves in a certain way. News flash, Duclair did not have to sign here. He could have went someplace else. This is the woke society making something of nothing.
Enough with this DEI bullsh!t. Life is tough buy a helmet !!!!!

Duclair’s grooming choice might seem personal, but it has broader implications tied to his Haitian heritage. This situation could spark debates about race, individual expression, and workplace discrimination, potentially leading to criticism of the Islanders and the NHL. In a diverse city like New York, the team’s grooming policy might seem out of touch with community values, questioning the inclusivity and cultural sensitivity of the team and the sport.

Enough with everyone needs a trophy theory. There is nothing wrong with having your employees groomed neatly and, in a suit, and tie. My son has been playing hockey since he was 3, he has been wearing a shirt and tie since 6, in juniors he wore a suit. Guys are now customizing their suits. He just bought a custom suit for college.

I see nothing wrong with an organization wanting to represent themselves in a certain way. News flash, Duclair did not have to sign here. He could have went someplace else. This is the woke society making something of nothing.
Enough with this DEI bullsh!t. Life is tough buy a helmet !!!!!
- Nfdbulldawg

The big thing is a team like the Yankees can have rules because they have no issues signing players. The Islanders have not shown the ability to sign quality UFA's. It's not so much about a person's hair or how they dress. I care about anything that may hurt the Islanders chances and how they are perceived by the NHL and the players. The Islanders are just not seen as a prime destination. It does not matter if it's taxes, the Rangers or dress code. It's the GM's job to sell a vision to the players and not excuses. How many sports teams have a soon to be 82-year-old GM?

Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli is saying that three teams are willing to sign veteran winger Max Pacioretty to a one-year deal, and I’m hearing one of the teams interested in the Connecticut native is the Islanders.

The Isles are right at the cap, so GM Lou Lamoriello may have to clear some space to sign the 35-year-old.

If we were one player away, I would consider it. This team is not one player away.

You could offer him a PTO as he might help PP if healthy. Otherwise, I look at other options.
- Nfdbulldawg

No need for 35-year-old Pacioretty.

The big thing is a team like the Yankees can have rules because they have no issues signing players. The Islanders have not shown the ability to sign quality UFA's. It's not so much about a person's hair or how they dress. I care about anything that may hurt the Islanders chances and how they are perceived by the NHL and the players. The Islanders are just not seen as a prime destination. It does not matter if it's taxes, the Rangers or dress code. It's the GM's job to sell a vision to the players and not excuses. How many sports teams have a soon to be 82-year-old GM?
- ses111

I agree it's a dumb rule, but for all the bellyaching and (hilariously) moralizing about it online, can anyone point to a single instance where a player actually said or even hinted, "I did not sign with the Islanders despite them offering the most money because I didn't want to shave"?

If anything, I've seen more people putting thoughts in the heads of players who don't really seem to have a problem with it, like Duclaire, who signed voluntarily; and Palmieri, who everyone said would be upset about it when he was traded here and then he quickly re-signed on a four-year deal.

We can speculate all we want about the real impact, if any, it's had on the Isles' ability to sign players; but I suspect, like most things, the internet makes a way bigger issue about this than it is in reality.

I agree it's a dumb rule, but for all the bellyaching and (hilariously) moralizing about it online, can anyone point to a single instance where a player actually said or even hinted, "I did not sign with the Islanders despite them offering the most money because I didn't want to shave"?

If anything, I've seen more people putting thoughts in the heads of players who don't really seem to have a problem with it, like Duclaire, who signed voluntarily; and Palmieri, who everyone said would be upset about it when he was traded here and then he quickly re-signed on a four-year deal.

We can speculate all we want about the real impact, if any, it's had on the Isles' ability to sign players; but I suspect, like most things, the internet makes a way bigger issue about this than it is in reality.
- UIF

You are probably right UIF, but I have to think the Islanders are seen as stuck in the past with a soon to be 82-year-old GM. Anything that may or may not causes issues with players signing with the Islanders is not a good thing. The fact the Islanders still struck out with Barry and Lou running things and getting to an ECF final is very alarming. The fact Neil Smith was able to sign better quality UFA's with the old Coli in a few months is alarming as well. We have to look out who is calling the shots. You cannot have a GM that hides in the basement and thinks he works for the C.I.A in 2024.

I agree it's a dumb rule, but for all the bellyaching and (hilariously) moralizing about it online, can anyone point to a single instance where a player actually said or even hinted, "I did not sign with the Islanders despite them offering the most money because I didn't want to shave"?

If anything, I've seen more people putting thoughts in the heads of players who don't really seem to have a problem with it, like Duclaire, who signed voluntarily; and Palmieri, who everyone said would be upset about it when he was traded here and then he quickly re-signed on a four-year deal.

We can speculate all we want about the real impact, if any, it's had on the Isles' ability to sign players; but I suspect, like most things, the internet makes a way bigger issue about this than it is in reality.
- UIF

UIF, are some of Lou's rules old school? Yes. Do I agree with everything he does? No. What I truly have an issue with is a writer or blogger turning this into a race issue. They are trying to take a non-issue and turning it into something that it is not. Why??? Because it is the middle of summer, and they need their work to draw some attention.

I cannot go to work in shorts and a t-shirt. I cannot wear flip flops. But the women in the office can wear shorts and flip flops. Where is the DEI in that? You have dudes that think they are girls and girls thinking they are dudes. So, you can no longer have a boys or girls toilet.

Again, life is tough, buy a helmet. To me this is a non-story that's gaining unnecessary attention.

You are probably right UIF, but I have to think the Islanders are seen as stuck in the past with a soon to be 82-year-old GM. Anything that may or may not causes issues with players signing with the Islanders is not a good thing. The fact the Islanders still struck out with Barry and Lou running things and getting to an ECF final is very alarming. The fact Neil Smith was able to sign better quality UFA's with the old Coli in a few months is alarming as well. We have to look out who is calling the shots. You cannot have a GM that hides in the basement and thinks he works for the C.I.A in 2024.
- ses111

I'm sure decades of mismanagement and being a league punchline, combined with continued bad press throughout the hockey media world (when they're not outright ignored), combined with the fact that even when the team's been good recently it hasn't been razzle-dazzle-electric good, are all factors. Not to mention that if a player's set on NY, they'll always look to the Rangers first.

I'm not sure Neil Smith really got the league's premier players here either, though. Don't get me wrong, he got an impressive amount done for as short as he was GM, but we're talking Brendan Witt, Tom Poti, Chris Simon, Mike Sillinger, and Andy Hilbert...some average players and some quite good ones, but no one I'd exactly call a game-breaker.

I'm sure decades of mismanagement and being a league punchline, combined with continued bad press throughout the hockey media world (when they're not outright ignored), combined with the fact that even when the team's been good recently it hasn't been razzle-dazzle-electric good, are all factors. Not to mention that if a player's set on NY, they'll always look to the Rangers first.

I'm not sure Neil Smith really got the league's premier players here either, though. Don't get me wrong, he got an impressive amount done for as short as he was GM, but we're talking Brendan Witt, Tom Poti, Chris Simon, Mike Sillinger, and Andy Hilbert...some average players and some quite good ones, but no one I'd exactly call a game-breaker.
- UIF

It's not a bad haul UIF in a short amount of time and certainly better than the UFA's Garth and Lou signed. It's frustrating because the team has a new building which we were told was a major stumbling block and we are still limping along. I just think we need a Young GM that can connect with today's players and agents and understands today's game better.

UIF, are some of Lou's rules old school? Yes. Do I agree with everything he does? No. What I truly have an issue with is a writer or blogger turning this into a race issue. They are trying to take a non-issue and turning it into something that it is not. Why??? Because it is the middle of summer, and they need their work to draw some attention.

I cannot go to work in shorts and a t-shirt. I cannot wear flip flops. But the women in the office can wear shorts and flip flops. Where is the DEI in that? You have dudes that think they are girls and girls thinking they are dudes. So, you can no longer have a boys or girls toilet.

Again, life is tough, buy a helmet. To me this is a non-story that's gaining unnecessary attention.
- Nfdbulldawg

We can agree or disagree on the rules, but clearly it is not a racial issue. It's how Lou see's the roster and adding a lot of 3rd and 4th line type players which are the bigger issues. It's more of a speed and skill game. Does not mean defense gets thrown out the window.