The New York Islanders face tough decisions as GM Mathieu Darche’s vision comes into question. Is the franchise building for long-term contention or clinging to win-now hopes? Gil Martin breaks down the Islanders’ buyout options—spotlighting the dilemma around veteran Ondrej Palat’s $6 million cap hit—and debates whether Ilya Morozov’s mix of size, defensive acumen, and middle-six ceiling warrants using the 13th overall NHL Draft pick.
Key segments include the Islanders’ lack of second- and third-round picks due to recent trades, the pros and cons of potential roster moves involving Pierre Engvall, and ownership’s push for playoff revenue. Gil Martin revisits memorable franchise moments with a look back at Bob Bourne’s legacy and shares strategic insights on how Peter DeBoer’s system could shape the team’s direction. Will the Islanders finally commit to a true rebuild, or are more short-term gambles on the horizon?
All this and more on today’s Locked On Islanders Podcast with Gil Martin.
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-AS IF. so much for the brady. t to isles talk as brady t. shockingly dealt to cats from sens for picks.
-just flip a fkn coin when your pick comes darche. you are in no position to do shit. you will step up to the podium, call out a name at 13, and like it.
-meanwhile sens get 9 and 25 (cats acquired from kraken) this draft, a future first, second. plus have their own pick at 32. that is called cashing in on an asset and getting draft capital. and draft will be seeing a lot of sens and blows first round on friday night. or sens can flip picks for help like r. thomas. i heard sens may go after doroveyev or offer sheet him and have the picks to do it.
-darche, just sit back, enjoy the festivities, and wish you a plan for future success.
-14 bobby bourne-valuable member and the speed of isles 4 cups attack and member of the 16 with 4 rings club. not drafted by isles yet bow tie must have eyed bourne at his loaded '74 draft later poaching bourne from cash strapped kc scouts.
Belchez or randolph ifor the 13th pick. Or vigo if he is still available
No buyout for Palat. They have 6 guys coming off of their contracts. They need money for the upcoming 2-3 years. Buying him out is stupid. They need cap for next year for free agents "possibly" you waste cap space next year that you could use on a free agent.
They are focused on the future, buying him out will hurt the future… the near future but none the less. Its 1 year… sit on it for the year
What’s the point of drafting these guys when we’ll just send them to Hamilton? We need to draft players who want to win now in a “Win Now” year.
Great ads Gil. No matter which one you choose you’re getting screwed. Kinda like being an Islanders fan.
My god, how good are the Panthers now.
Ilya would be a great addition but not at 13. We simply have to wait and see what can be done about getting rid of undesirable contracts it certainly will not be easy. I think that saying Barzal would be a salary dump is a secondary reason more than the primary reason . The primary reason is the haul you would get as we have seen what the Sens got for Brady. 3 first round picks and a second. Yes Brady is younger but Barzal would bring a similar package. To me The huge haul is the primary reason for dealing Barzal and freeing up cap space secondary. Barzal will be 30 in May. Not that Barzal is playing center but all our centers are over 30! We have next to zero prospects that would be considered a first or second line center in the organization. And zero young right shot Dmen. You will not address all the holes 🕳️ on this team by dealing off undesirable contracts obviously but that will free much needed cap space. If the Islanders could deal Barzal home to the Canucks or to The Hawks for the 3 rd or 4 th pick plus more assets would help filling the many holes 🕳️ we have. If the right Deal is there for Barzal you have to consider the deal.. If The Islanders will not be doing anything significant with the core then don’t expect much more from this team. It is not saying they can’t make a playoff spot but don’t expect a long run or a cup. Pete could tighten up the ship and provide structure and more discipline like Trotz did. We simply have to wait , see, pray , and accept whatever happens. Hopefully fans will be happy with whatever moves happen. We can only wait for it. Let’s Go Islanders!
Good morning team! I hope everyone had a great Father's Day. Gil, excellent episode again. I really think the Islanders have a good bit of cleaning up to do. They have contracts on the books that are ridiculous and something serious needs to be done to drop some to save cap space. Thank goodness the cap is going up by $8.5 million this year over last year. We start with getting rid of, or try to get rid of some of the contracts that don't make much sense. Try to bring in as much young talent as you can. Some of the really good veterans we have will benefit greatly from some younger talent as well. Everyone, have a great day! See you all again tomorrow. Until then.. Let's Go Islanders!!
The truth is Gil is full of shit. Both of the palat trade and the schenn deal were directed by ownership who wanted the playoff capital and ordered both deals to be made. Gil knows this, but he is lying because he doesn’t want to out the owners get this straight. Gil is definitely lying.
He is too chickenshit to take on the owners and tell the truth they wanted to take advantage of Matthew Schaeffer, meteoric rise and cash in with playoff money that is what happened too afraid of them to tell the truth he shouldn’t be on the lockdown network
If that’s how he’s going to report he needs to be fired at once that is the truth many of us know this, but the guy is too chickenshit to tell the truth
The direction of the team? Right back into the toilet. The Palat and Schenn trades set the team back at least another 2 years. Makes you wonder if Lou is still running the team from the shadows.