I really don't agree with the idea that they 'stood pat' simply because they made their biggest impact move in February instead of July. They added a major piece, potentially a top line center and on top of that they also added an additional top 9 forward. I would like them to add someone to this current group, but would the tenor be the same if they just signed Horvat and Engvall now instead of re-signing them and then extending them. The team was markedly better after they were added and most of that was without Barzal.
I agree, if those same moves were made in July, it would be a 'busy' off-season for the Islanders. And we know for certain they don't make the playoffs without making both.
We also know Horvat very likely doesn't come here and who knows about Engvall. That contract was as a result of him fitting in so well. There is plenty to be concerned about, but adding guys 5-6 months earlier instead of waiting until FA isn't one of them IMO.
The core is old and slow. The team missed the play-offs then made them and went out in the first round. Lamoriello and his stand pat defensive system are outdated losers. The owners seem not interested in building a long term Cup contender. They just hope to get in and hope again that lightning strikes in the play-offs. Steve Cohen recently said "Hope is not a strategy." All they have to do is look across the Hudson and copy the Devils approach. They've had chances to avoid a major NJ like rebuild but stuck with "I never rebuild Lou". They ignore that Lou left the Devils with no prospects and a non-descript team. Malkin and Ledecky are responsible for letting a faded GM do whatever he wants. Now the Isles have little that would bring back a lot in a deal and no top prospects.
I really don't agree with the idea that they 'stood pat' simply because they made their biggest impact move in February instead of July. They added a major piece, potentially a top line center and on top of that they also added an additional top 9 forward. I would like them to add someone to this current group, but would the tenor be the same if they just signed Horvat and Engvall now instead of re-signing them and then extending them. The team was markedly better after they were added and most of that was without Barzal.
I agree, if those same moves were made in July, it would be a 'busy' off-season for the Islanders. And we know for certain they don't make the playoffs without making both.
We also know Horvat very likely doesn't come here and who knows about Engvall. That contract was as a result of him fitting in so well. There is plenty to be concerned about, but adding guys 5-6 months earlier instead of waiting until FA isn't one of them IMO.
The core is old and slow. The team missed the play-offs then made them and went out in the first round. Lamoriello and his stand pat defensive system are outdated losers. The owners seem not interested in building a long term Cup contender. They just hope to get in and hope again that lightning strikes in the play-offs. Steve Cohen recently said "Hope is not a strategy." All they have to do is look across the Hudson and copy the Devils approach. They've had chances to avoid a major NJ like rebuild but stuck with "I never rebuild Lou". They ignore that Lou left the Devils with no prospects and a non-descript team. Malkin and Ledecky are responsible for letting a faded GM do whatever he wants. Now the Isles have little that would bring back a lot in a deal and no top prospects.