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Post by Score on Nov 8, 2023 13:51:04 GMT -4
As seen on other teams boards, I thought that I would start a thread on the trade period which starts mid December.
The 19yr olds on roster are...and correct me if I miss anyone:
Hughes
Todd
Vos
Bickle
Strang
Not looking great for 20's for next season.....as of now that is....but that will change.
I feel the Isles have a very solid youth foundation.
Would a strong team look at Bickle as a potential backup? He has major junior experience....and on a better team, he may be a suitable, reliable backup.
That would allow Niko Boudreau to finish the 2nd half up with Charlottetown.
Boudreau is having a strong season with the Mirimichi Timberwolves as a 17yr old netminder. He has a 5-0 record with a 2.60gaa and a save percentage of .924.
It would be nice to address the D situation.
Only D that are untouchable, IMO, are:
Kearsey-17
Conrad-16
Duguay-17
??Topilnyckyj??------has struggled this season, but still only 18.
I don't see them trading Vos....but he could be sent down though....I believe his JrA rights belong to Mirimichi, but if he did get sent down, I would be surprised if he didn't end up with Summerside.
Hulton seems to add players that nobody expects.....so it will be interesting as it usually is.
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Post by countryboy on Nov 8, 2023 15:12:43 GMT -4
I've been doing some trade period thinking.....but haven't pulled it together to post anything.
1. I like the idea of mixing Boudreau in and getting him some experience as a 17 y/o player. I think Ozols has emerged as the goaltender I feel most comfortable with. But I don't expect there's a market for Bickle's services. Even with his experience, a .863 save percentage is not attractive. He's just not stopping enough pucks to make his services attractive to teams in our league. Someone looking for a goalie like him probably shops the free agent wire from the OHL or WHL and finds someone just as good.
2. Honestly, I could see a guy like Isaac Vos getting some attention and potentially a great fit for a trade. He doesn't get a lot of respect from those on the board, I think largely due to the circumstances of his arrival as a major junior player. He played three full seasons of U18 (few guys do this and jump to major junior) then landed here just as we were in a complete rebuild. But the thing about Vos is that he is adept at playing a number of different roles. He'd be a solid depth pickup for a strong team. He's approaching 70 career games in the Q. If your PP specialist goes down due to injury he can give you spot duty on the power play. Basically any job Jim has asked him to fill, he's done an OK job and really doesn't hurt the team. He's not a flashy player but really knows how to play within his capabilities. Think back to our big run in 2016-17. At the trade period we went out and acquired 19 y/o Jean-Sebastien Taillefer to basically be a veteran in our 6/7 defenceman slot. He was experienced and versatile and should something bad happen to one of our top guys that year, JS could be shoehorned into the role and at least bring some experience and calm play.
Teams are looking for guys like that. I'd be curious if someone would come along and offer up a 5th or even say a higher pick down the road (2026 4th?) for a player like Vos.
When the 19 y/o group doesn't bring a lot of experience it's tougher to envision rebuild style trades. Of course, Horth is our most valuable chip. It's hard to cash in on 20 y/o players, but he's shooting the lights out right now. Scoring goals is the hardest thing in hockey to do and he does still lead the league in goals. I'd hope for a solid return from the captain... but I don't see the other two 20's being terribly attractive trade pieces.
The guy I wonder about dangling is Romeo. He's 18 and a big body who's shown a little offense from last season. It's true he's had a sluggish start but has been dealing with injury, right. 30 points in 64 games was an excellent rookie season and got the notice of NHL teams, as he was invited to the Hawks development camp.
Remember, the 2025 Memorial Cup will be in the QMJHL. Romeo is big, has talent, and is experienced and won't be a 20 y/o player in 24-25. All those teams thinking about being in the 2025 tournament (either as host or by playing their way in) should be thinking about a player like him. I think he's the guy on our roster who could be dealt for a nice return at the deadline.... especially if he can turn up the offensive production over the next few weeks.
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Post by Score on Nov 8, 2023 16:29:20 GMT -4
With Drummondville sitting currently 4th overall.....would they be looking to upgrade a 20....perhaps an upgrade on Tristan Roy? Roy has 8pts in 18gp.
18yr old, Tyler Peddle, seems to be having a slow start with the Volts....4pts in 17gp.
The Isles and the Volts have been good trade partners in the past......could a deal be made between the two this upcoming trade period?
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Post by puckstopper on Nov 8, 2023 17:10:08 GMT -4
What year are the islanders looking at to be a contender?
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Post by countryboy on Nov 8, 2023 17:39:13 GMT -4
I think this questions is easier to answer in summer 2024. If Marcus Kearsey is picked in the NHL draft this coming year, I’d aim to build for his 19 y/o season. But, if goes unselected at 17, I’d aim for the following season with Kearsey as a 20 y/o player and Conrad as a 19 y/o. What year are the islanders looking at to be a contender? |
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Post by puckstopper on Nov 8, 2023 17:46:04 GMT -4
What do the islanders have now to build around Kersey as a 19yr old? Is your 2006 group strong enough? The 2005 you have that could be 20yr old are not strong so Hulton would need to work his magic. Do the islanders have much in picks over the next few years?
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Post by Score on Nov 8, 2023 19:43:45 GMT -4
What do the islanders have now to build around Kersey as a 19yr old? Is your 2006 group strong enough? The 2005 you have that could be 20yr old are not strong so Hulton would need to work his magic. Do the islanders have much in picks over the next few years? As of NOW: 2007; Owen Conrad Anthony Flanagan 2006: Marcus Kearsey Simonn Duguay Matt Butler Ross Campbell Niko Boudreau Ondrej Maruna Alexis Michaud Evan Nicholson ?? |
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Post by Score on Nov 8, 2023 20:54:48 GMT -4
I know that it's a Longshot, but it would be nice to have a chance to grab the 18yr old Charlottetown native, Luke Coughlin from Rimouski.
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Post by dutchinc on Nov 8, 2023 21:15:45 GMT -4
Not a popular opinion but I don’t think anyone is ‘untouchable’ this year. Other than Horth and Conrad, no one is killing it persay. With that said, not everyone will be actively on the trading block.
I don’t think we’re in the best spot tbh. Our ‘foundation’ is Ok. Saying it’s solid is a stretch. I know it’s early in the rebuild but there’s a lot of work to do and this team will look a lot differ next season.
I like Vos, always did, gets alotta flack on here by some. He doesn’t have a great shot but he quietly gets the job done.
Anton T is slow, can’t shoot, gets beat badly every time on the outside because ……he’s slow AF with his transition.. Reminds me of a Ryan Graves at his age.I think he will get better at 19/20 tho.
Kearsey has been ok. Definitely not a standing out so far.
Campbell…I dunno. He’d be a better value to the team if he passed the puck more.
Horth has to be traded for value, not in a fire sale but for something decent.
Then I think I’m being too hard on them. Seeing as they’re so young. I’m not a huge fan of running so many 16-17 year olds.
Rimouski has tried that the last couple years.
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Post by Score on Nov 8, 2023 21:32:35 GMT -4
I don’t think we’re in the best spot tbh. Our ‘foundation’ is Ok. Saying it’s solid is a stretch. I know it’s early in the rebuild but there’s a lot of work to do and this team will look a lot differ next season. Owen Conrad. 16yrs old. Anthony Flanagan. 16yrs old. Simon Duguay. 17yrs old. Marcus Kearsey. 17yrs old. Matthew Butler. 17yrs old. Alexis Michaud. 17yrs old. Ondrej Maruna. 17yrs old. Ross Campbell. 17yrs old. Niko Boudreau. 17yrs old. Lucas Romeo. 18yrs old. Aksels Ozols. 18yr old To me, that's a solid youth Fondation. Also, 17yr old dman, Marcus Kearsey, is tied for 2nd in team scoring with 15pts in 17gp. Unsure what more you would want from a 17yr old dman.... |
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Post by scotiahockey on Nov 9, 2023 1:08:09 GMT -4
I don’t think we’re in the best spot tbh. Our ‘foundation’ is Ok. Saying it’s solid is a stretch. I know it’s early in the rebuild but there’s a lot of work to do and this team will look a lot differ next season. Owen Conrad. 16yrs old. Anthony Flanagan. 16yrs old. Simon Duguay. 17yrs old. Marcus Kearsey. 17yrs old. Matthew Butler. 17yrs old. Alexis Michaud. 17yrs old. Ondrej Maruna. 17yrs old. Ross Campbell. 17yrs old. Niko Boudreau. 17yrs old. Lucas Romeo. 18yrs old. Aksels Ozols. 18yr old To me, that's a solid youth Fondation. Also, 17yr old dman, Marcus Kearsey, is tied for 2nd in team scoring with 15pts in 17gp. Unsure what more you would want from a 17yr old dman.... Yeah I actually think the foundation is very good. You start projecting out 2-3 years when Kearsey is 19 and you can see the makings of a very good team. Romeo as a 20, Campbell/Maruna/Michaud/Butler/Kearsey should all be studs at 19 if they aren’t already, Conrad at 18 will be a minute munching #1 D. Flanagan I think will be solid at 18 as well. Then you add in whatever else you draft/trade for or get through free agency and I don’t see any reason why you couldn’t be contenders when Kearsey is 19. The foundation to me is there with 5 very good forwards at 19/20 and 2 stud defenceman. |
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Post by puckstopper on Nov 9, 2023 7:56:06 GMT -4
I know that it's a Longshot, but it would be nice to have a chance to grab the 18yr old Charlottetown native, Luke Coughlin from Rimouski. If you could get Coughlin as a 20yr that would give you solid D. Are there any other D that islanders would look to add for depth that they could get cheap. |
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Post by countryboy on Nov 9, 2023 9:06:24 GMT -4
Could be risky dealing as Coughlin is NHL drafted and might be pro at 20. If Rimouski is planning to host the Memorial Cup I’d be skeptical they deal 18 y/o Coughlin. I know that it's a Longshot, but it would be nice to have a chance to grab the 18yr old Charlottetown native, Luke Coughlin from Rimouski. If you could get Coughlin as a 20yr that would give you solid D. Are there any other D that islanders would look to add for depth that they could get cheap. |
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Post by bois on Nov 9, 2023 9:11:19 GMT -4
It's gonna be a tricky trade period this year to navigate I think..... i'd love to see the team find at least 1 solid 19 year old or commit to futures to bring in someone as an overage option for next as our internal options right now look awful...
I would think we will hopefully shop Horth and cash out on his strong performance.... but we were unable to do so last year with Biakabatuka so if the market just isn't there I think we might not be able to move him for the value we would like and with the scoring being limited I do see it as a legit chance he stays
I would think based on what's taken place in the first two months and what i've heard Hughes is likely to be dumped out but obviously that will be one of those marginal returns as his value has to be low now
Was hopeful that Michel would build on his last half performance here and that he could be a dman we capitalize on moving but putting up zeroes across the board thus far has me thinking that ship has sailed as well..... could he be moved for another depth peice elsehwere or a 4th round pick or something to a contender.... sure but that isn't very exciting is it?
I don't think we move Bickle nor do I necessarily think there would be much market to do so... his numbers are underwhelming and I think a full year of junior A for Boudreau is better than the get him up in the Q and destroy his confidence behind a relatively weak team.... we saw how well that worked last year... I like going with the vet Bickle as the steady not spectacular B option to the Euro Ozsels who we really need to develop into our future number one anyway
I'll never be shocked to see Hulton pull off a surprise move but I just am having trouble seeing what he can do to get us excited this year..... but still a month or so for things to change
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Post by countryboy on Nov 9, 2023 11:39:27 GMT -4
We put a lot of trust in Hulton to make the right moves for building.... and he's been very successful in his time here. We can point to some mistakes and mis-steps.... those things will happen, of course.
But for a true build and develop we will want to be accumulating top end talent. We're seeing the last couple of years that we're really challenged to put up a lot of offensive production.....it's because we're having a tough time getting our hands on talent that is normally part of the top 10-12 part of the draft.
Kearsey and Conrad have been awesome additions.... and both guys are contributing at a level that is way above what we should be getting from them given where we picked them in the draft. But if we're going to put together another powerhouse team for the future, we need to get our hands on guys who are high draft selections.
Look at top 9 in the 2018 QMJHL draft
1. Hendrik Lapierre (finished in 2022 with Bathurst)
2. William Villeneuve (finished in 2022 with Saint John)
3. Mavrik Bourque (finished in 2022 with Shawinigan)
4. Lukas Cormier (finished in 2022 with Charlottetown)
5. Patrick Guay (finished in 2022 with Charlottetown)
6. William Dufour (finished in 2022 with Saint John)
7. Theo Rochette (finished in 2022 with Quebec)
8. Jeremie Poirier (finished in 2022 with Saint John)
9. Pier-Olivier Roy (finished in 2023 with Quebec)
The top end talent seemed to find its way to the teams that were contending for the championship, one way or another.
But my concern is that I'm not sure how we bring in top 10 talent. We're still a long way from picking inside the top 10 due to traded picks and hopefully by the time we have our 1st again we are not a team near the bottom of the standings. But we don't have serious top end veteran talent to trade for a future 1st that could be a home run selection.
The assets we have that could be returned for a huge haul would be dealing players like Kearsey and Michaud during their 18 y/o season, but we're talking about building around guys like that rather than moving those guys out.
I guess there are different way to build a team and it's up to Jim to find the best one!
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