The New York Islanders eye a roster boost as Viktor Arvidsson emerges as a smart free agency target. With limited cap space and pressing needs for goal scoring, speed, and youth, could Arvidsson’s shoot-first mentality and playoff experience fill the Isles’ gap in their top six? Gil Martin examines the benefits of a short-term, low-risk contract, the realities of New York’s cap crunch, and why strategic bridge deals may be key to stabilizing the team’s present while building for the future under GM Mathieu Darche.
The episode also pays tribute to 1983 Stanley Cup champion Paul Boutilier, reflects on Maxime Typlakov’s underwhelming season and trade to the Devils, and spotlights Aaron Ness as the Islanders’ birthday honoree. Key topics include the Islanders’ offensive struggles, potential roster shakeups, and the balance between remaining competitive and fostering emerging talent. Can the Islanders chart a playoff path while preparing the next wave of stars?
All this and more on today’s Locked On Islanders Podcast with Gil Martin.
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No way Arvidsson putting up 25 goals on this islanders team. In Boston he actually had 2nd or 3rd line teammates that would make plays to him. Not happening on this cheeks isles team
More old farts….more LOSING
This offseason keep it simple Sign raddish or Anderson, get a tough 4th liner, draft Ryan Lin, clear some space with some of our deadweight players, bring up eiserman and eklund full time, the 2027 free agent class is much stronger and will have enough to make a splash at forward like tkachuk or mcdavid. Mcdavid would be foolish not sign with us considering he’d have the goaltending, the right coach, a future Norris winner in Schaffer, and by then a good mixture of youth and veteran forwards.
The Islander media/fanbase (for the most part) want young players (not younger – young, raw, in-experienced). They believe the secret in the sauce is too get young fast, (then add vets), then the cup will come. And yes, this is one way BUT not "the only" way like the fanbase is clambering for – I like Arvidsson, 2 year deal (maybe 2nd year team option) – here's why: "Bottoming out" is H3LL, and you suffer through some lean years that dont come close to guaranteeing a 50% chance at building the envisioned team. Some players dont progress and set you back, some get hurt and never materialize, some take longer than projected, and most don't become much of anything. You really put yourself in a bind, a narrowed path, when you commit to one-way of trying to build a cup winner.
I get what Darche is doing and if he adds a player like Schenn this offseason, I get it – I believe he is looking for trades involving younger players, but to get someone decent (by name), you are looking at Horvat, Barzal, Pelec, Soro, or future picks – is that what you want? Sorry but Holmstrom or Palms ain't catch that big fish.
Unless you can find a diamond in the rough (steal a low end trade), you have to take it month by month – Darche is going to add to a core that is competitive (Horvat, Barzal, Schenn, Soro, Pelec, Romanov, and Shaef) over bottoming out (for now).
And while having a winning environment (at least a competitive one), the young core coming up (Aitch, Eklund, Eiser, George, Ritchie, plus whoever), don't have to teach themselves, and get to play important games instead of meaningless rebuild games.
Darche has three balls he is juggling (1. the young core – and future core), (2. the older core – when to cash in?), (3. the in-betweens he possibly cashes in). I have no problem with his plan – he could flip Schenn this TDL if everything goes south and grab that 1st back in an instant. If Schenn has a decent year, maybe more picks.
Lastly – look to the L.A Clippers of the NBA, they went "all in" championship mode for 3 seasons and didnt have a first round pick for almost 10 season I believe. In the past 12 months they have traded a coupe of vets and pick up some great young talent, and multiple first picks back, including the 5th over all in this draft while maintaining a playoff team. Point is – when, and if, Darche wants to cash in – he'll grab a boat a load. For now, he wants playoffs' (a winning environment) started, and build underneath to grow that momentum.
Assuming Horvat & Barzal are 1&2 center. A good 3rd line would be Schen, JGP and Hienemen. Then Ardverson & Holmstrom on LW while Palms and DuClair (or whoever) on RW. Seems ok.
But I don't agree if McDavid came in that were not a playoff team. Holy shit does that change the dynamics of this team and he is a goal scorer!!! So first, this pushes Barzal to absolutely stay at 2C and moves Horvat to 1 wing. So it reverbs down the line and then makes you think you could just let Eklund mature in NHL allowing him to wing on 1 or 2bd Power play. 😮😂
Good morning team! Gil, seems to me, with the cap space issues the Islanders are in, we really can't afford many really high priced talent. Arvidsson is 33 years old, and even though he has a shoot first mentality, he shouldn't be on a team that has cap space issues and is trying to rebuild a team that missed the playoffs the past two seasons. Just my opinion of course. I don't think he is a fit for the team, so that probably means he'll be in and Islander jersey next season. Makes no sense really. Also, we could have used Tsyplakov. Can't believe we're giving away our younger players to other teams. Watch how well he does next season for the Devils. Thank you for what you do, Sir. Everyone, have a great day! See you all again tomorrow. Until then.. Let's Go Islanders!!
Arvidson at 33 years old and not very consistent .
I don’t want anymore old guys. We need to get rid of most of the ones we have.
Trade Pellech and a middle pick for William Eklund. San Jose needs defensemen and islanders need forwards. George or Warren should be ready to slide in or who knows Aitchison may surprise islanders and make the team. This trade you get younger on the forward and defense. I really don’t want to see another 30 something player on the islanders.
Absolutely not. Don't waste the money or the roster spot. Focus on clearing out bad contracts we already have on the roster: Palat, Engvall, Duclair, Not resigning Lee.
I really like Viktor Arvidsson, he's a strong two-way player who brings speed, skill, and reliability to both ends of the ice. If the Islanders sign him this offseason, I'd be excited, but at 33 I hope it's not another long-term deal with a no-trade clause. A shorter, smart bridge contract (as you mentioned Gil) on a reasonable cap hit would be ideal to add veteran scoring without locking us in too deeply. LGI
RIP Paul Boutilier. Both he, and Gord Dineen, logged a lot of minutes, during the 1984 Stanley Cup finals, due to many, many injuries on D. Dave "Bam Bam" Langevin had a separated shoulder, as did Stefan Persson, and Gord lane had a bad back that kept him out of the entire final series. Lane was a tough back end defenseman who kept the opposition honest. Just like Bobby Nystrom, who was out for most of that series with a hyperextended knee.
No not interested in another 33 year old player no one under 30 as a free agent. I want to subtract not add old players.
I don't think Arvidsson is a good choice… He's 33 and had 24 goals but at 34 next year, do you think he is going to produce like that again? We need more help on that D LINE!!!
Please get rid of LEE, Schen and Duclair and Palat!!!!
My question is…. WHY?????? Why go out and get another OLDER player who we could give a RAT’S Butt if he is gone after next season???? MAKES ZERO SENSE. Leave those roster spots for EISERMAN and EKLUND and fill out the rest of the forward group with one of our USELESS, OVERPAID guys we are looking to dump along the way. I am TOTALLY opposed to ADDING NEXT SEASON.. unless it is one of our KIDS getting on the roster. Darche, DeBoer and every Islander fan with a pulse KNOWS WE ARE GOING NOWHERE AGAIN NEXT SEASON. Burn off another year of the STUPID LOU CONTRACTS and set our sights on the ‘27-‘28 OFF SEASON to get serious with regards to adding TRUE TALENT.
Does anyone know why DeBoer took this job? Is there something we are all
missing??
Only player I want to hear about in an Isles and Bruins trade is Hagens!
Some how!
Good afternoon, Gil. How are you? Matheiu Darche is going to do something that his GM'S before him wouldn't do NOT EVEN BILL TORREY. Paul Boutillier 1963-2026. He was there for three of the 4 Stanley 🏆. Hear from you later, Gil, but before I go, I compared 20 year old Bob Bourne to Sonny Corleone from The Godfather. Bourne may not have Sonny's temper, but he likes to do things fast, especially with his speed. As for Kayce Dutton from Yellowstone, he was quiet, but when there's a threat, ⌚ OUT. Now, LET'S GO ISLANDERS 🏒 🔵 🟠 😊
I disagree with you on Holstrom I think he's a second liner when I think you're not taking into account is this over 20 goals came in mostly third line minutes so if he gets second line minutes he's likely to score 25 or closer to 30 I agree with you he's not a first liner but I think he's a second liner even on a contending team again on the third line he's getting limited minutes and that's where he was for most of the year and he put up his numbers in those limited minutes. Great job with the show.
Darche looking to shop at yard sales for bargains. I see the writing on the wall. If he continues with these older guy signings, it makes no sense. You have a stud goalie ready now. Stop the pussy footing and put a team in front of him!!