TUG OF WAR (2027 Playoffs) | NHL 25 | New York Islanders Franchise Mode #9

Just a heads up: Not sure if you will have this glitch too, but when im on the view contract screen in the re sign phase and press the advance day button, I'm unable to close the screen or press any buttons, I'm forced to restart my game and have to re do every single contract.

About swapping Barzal and Horvat... You can set the starting line which would allow you to put " defense " out vs a top heavy line like Boston.

Am I disappointed? Yes. Am I surprised? No. I agree with you, no matter what Dobson has played his last game in an Islanders sweater. Honestly it's probably extreme, but i wouldn't be upset if we were to blow up the team. Not for a full fledged rebuild though, for younger guys like ASP from Detroit for Dobson, things like that (where possible, I would prefer if when were making these moves if we could avoid giving up high picks), I think, not that we have to, but i would be interested to see the offers on anyone that can be moved.

I leave it in GM Data’s hands this offseason I trust him after last year and I think he will make calculated moves to make the team better. I feel like there’s no way we can loose the Dobson trade, he has been a negative player for too long. Good luck! (Need a defensive QB)

Great episode as always!
I’d consider having a chat with some of the snipers that don’t take too many shots.

The X-factor conversation you can have is one way to get a player to shoot more often. Boeser could realistically score 40+ goals, but never in EA-land.

Winnipeg moved up 10 picks in the draft, they might want to stay contenders. Even if it’s not on the block what if #1 is available? Dobson + for Landon DuPont? It wouldn’t be crazy - this draft looks pretty bad as well outside of that so all of our picks plus dobson and maybe tysplakov for no. 1 overall. I’d 100% pull the trigger. Also I really like that Columbus deal as well. Sandin has shown offensive potential so him stepping in on the top pp1 and then having a good 2-way shutdown pair of dunn-jiricek would be cool.

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Man, it's rough to have such a great season only to end up getting kicked out so soon in the playoffs but what can we do when the "luck of the draw" puts us against an evenly matched team...

I'd be ok to bring back a couple of vets but we also need to keep icetime for some of our younger players so I wouldn't bring all of them back. Nelson is probably a lock, especially with our lack of depth at C. Not so sure about Lee, Cizikas and Palmieri; there might be room for one or two of them but definitively not all 3.

I'd be ok with a Dobson trade at this point. The dream move would be to pay what we need to to get Makar but I don't see that being an option unfortunately. I don't mind the Jiricek and 3rd overall trade for Dobson but I'd probably try to trade Tsyplakov over Lysell as he's already 28yo so growth is pretty much over. We'd probably need to include our own 1st as to not to cheeze it. We might also look at including Sandin and Mateychuk in that trade if we want to get a bit younger?? We'd have to take back a bad contract we could dump to make the $ work though.

Another option we could explore would be Dobson and Tsyplakov + a pick to Montreal for Hutson and their 9th overall. Montreal has a lot of depth on the left side, not so much on the right and Dobson would be a "local" player having played in the Q which could be an added bonus for them. Hutson is also much cheaper than Jiricek is $ wise, unsure how he sims though. Dunn could then be moved to RD since Hutson only plays left. But neither Hutson or the pick being on the block could make it difficult to pull.

Money is tight so I don't think we can go after a big signing unless we do not resign Nelson and then trade both Dobson and Tsyplakov for Hutson which would leave us with 10 to 12m$ available. Either that or trading Boeser to save $ but we'd still need to replace him.

IF we do the trade for Jiricek and 3rd overall, I'm wondering what we'd need to add to that 3rd for us to get 1st overall... it's most likely too much since it's not on the block but getting Dupont would be insane.

My 1st choice probably is to try for Hutson and Mtl's 9th though. We could draft a future top centerman like Jacobson at 9th and Hutson can play 1st pair right away. Martone could take Tsyplakov's spot in the lineup.

Should we trade Dobson for Hutson, we'd save enough $ to be able to let Nelson walk and get a major short term upgrade at center like Crosby or Malkin... maybe Kopitar? I mean, if we're only going for 1 year with Nelson, might as well go 1 year with either of these as long as we have the $ available and it's not going to handcuff us on the upcoming years. O'Reilly could be a decent plan b but he's more than likely looking for a 3 to 4 years deal. Necas could be a decent option if we think longuer term. I could also see Giroux as a versatile veteran for the 4th line but i'm scared he'd regress under 80ovr being 39yo.

If we make a move on defense apart from Dobson, maybe it involves trading Mayfield and we go short term on a Pietrangelo or Doughty and hope we generate more offense from the backend?

As for tradeblock goes, we might want a young center since we drafted a lot of wingers and I'm not at all confident about Letourneau's potential to eventually be a top 6 center for us. I can't see what their potential is but options could be:
Lemieux, Carolina, 72ovr, 19yo
Kumpulainen, Minny, 77ovr, 21yo
Fuder, Utah, 75ovr, 21yo
Fernstrom, Van, 74ovr, 21yo

Anyhow, in GM Data we trust. Lets see what you'll be cooking for us this offseason!

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Man I can't believe how cooked Dobson is... I've never seen him sim so poor before

I know it's not likely but I would be interested to see the price to move up for Dupont. Otherwise, if we're moving Dobson, I think we need move up for Cripps (interview for type, ETA, etc). We need a defenseman (preferably a OFD or good simming TWD) to build around since Dobson isn't it.

Hey Data, Great video as always. If I was to sum up this video it would be more of the same, not unexpected but rather unhelpful for us. While I would be highly tempted to push the blow up button, if I was in your place, I would be comfortable with giving this group one or two more years. However, there does need to be big changes again, which I suggest would be a reoccurring theme with this core.

First of all, Dobson is gone! Make that Dobson and Lysell trade for Jiricek and the 3rd Overall pick, maybe adding in an expiring player and a late pick for maximizing the value, then we could possibly flip Jiricek or just move him later if it's not working out. Dobson had a stronger end to the year, but then sucked in the playoffs and has already been something of a disappointment in this series. Simply put, we need to make some big changes to make this team a cup contender, and remember we were uneasy about our underlying numbers in the regular season as well. And if we do this trade we are capitalizing on the value he has while we can, because of the NMC activating next season it's the draft or never.

Next, I agree with moving Zucharello's rights. Great find and had a brilliant end to the season, but the playoffs were telling. We need to find someone who can ignite the wildfire of offense we know can come from our top players.

Then, I would also move out Kyle Palmieri's rights, unless he is willing to come back at under a million, for only one year, with maybe a modified NTC? He isn't the same player he once was, age causing his recent regressions and I think that it's time to move on. Keeping on the squad, while nice for the feels, isn't going to solve the problems we're facing, and he didn't provide much of anything this playoffs for us, other than be another body and veteran presence.

The next thing I should address, is the Tsyplakov versus Lysell debate. Tsyplakov would ordinarily be the one I'd move, but right now Lysell has a lot of value which could be good to capitalize on in the Dobson for Jiricek and 3rd OVR. Now if you could make the trade work with Tsyplakov instead, then I'd say all the better, but I think that that trade is crucial to our future success and must be made. But, if we need to add a Top 9 or Top 6 option, then both would be the most realistic options to move out.

Yes, we absolutely bring back Nelson, Lee, and Cizikas at those prices. They may not be who they once were, but they are forever Islanders and giving them a chance at the cup was a big part of the premise of this series. They have been in the trenches with the Isles for all these years through the good and bad, and deserve that sort of respect to allow them to retire as Islanders if they so choose!

Bring back Bolduc as well, it's a very reasonable price for a bottom pairing D man.

Bring back Xhekaj too! He was solid as a depth piece, and is relatively cheap to boot. Ideally it would be for under a million, but that one million is the absolute max.

Sell off the extra Goalies as well for whatever you can get, even if it's only to push a draft pick trade across.

As for potential free agents, I think that Evgeni Malkin should be a pursued option for our offense. Even though he isn't the same player he once was, he could be just what we need to spark the offense in the sim. He may not be the highest overall, but look at Dobson's production in the playoffs, overall isn't as important sometimes as the offensive stats to get a good sim. Crosby, if he drops to FA, would be better but is less likely and probably more expensive than Malkin, and so is lower on my priority list. If we do that though, we might have to move someone else out, likely Tsyplakov. It's admittedly a bit of a gamble, but we've got to try something different to unlock this offense, and he may be just the guy we need.

Maybe if we have money for a fourth liner, then Christian Fischer could be an option for a two or three year deal? Hopefully he shouldn't be too expensive, and he is young enough to help for at least two or three years. Maybe we could add in a modified NTC to sweeten it to a better AAV for us?

On Defense, if we need another piece, I would look at Spurgeon on a short term deal, if we can afford him. My second choice would be Carrier, more of a budget option, as an OFD to help jump start our blueline offensively. But, with the previous moves being made, I don't think we'll need another blueline piece.

Now, onto the rest of the draft! Firstly, pin the Medium Elite so we don't miss him, even if he is more of a project, value is value. Then check his ETA and find other guys in the same area mid 60's - mid 90's or even early hundreds showing medium potential, those are also possible elites so long as they are something of anomalies for the area. Thirdly, if you make the previously mentioned Dobson trade, then you could probably pick up extra value by trading back from 3rd to 7th. There you should be guaranteed either Alexis Joseph(who ought to be a Medium Elite Sniper or Playmaker), or Cripps(Who also should be a Medium Elite Defender). Both would definitely fill our needs but I like Joseph more since we have no guaranteed top 6 center beyond Barzal and Horvat, though neither would be bad selections. Lastly, don't forget about the low elites late, they are really solid value at a minimun, so I'd move out any other pieces you know wont be returning for late round picks over the next few years if you can, the GM game is all about asset management after all.

Anyway, that's all my thoughts for now, and I look forward to the draft, so I'll see you then.

Sandin-Pellikka is really interesting, he's young and played a role in wich he probably was on the second pp with less experience! If we put him in a situation of success and if we can get another asset in a trade with Dobson, i feel that it could be worth while!!

Anyways, great episode as always, it's going to be fun to see what you can do in the off-season:))

Honestly, maybe go all in for dupont wire dobson and some others. And maybe use the extra cap space to sign a good defender in free agency. Great episode!

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As disappointed as I that we got 1st rounded hard to not see that happen seeing how we ended up drawing one of the other teams with 50+ wins. If we are trading Dobson I don't see why we couldn't get a 1st round pick for him even though he hasn't played like one he's definitely worthy of an early 1st round pick. I'd go after Dupont even if the pick isn't on the block we don't really have a defenseman that can come in and immediately replace Dobson. From using Columbus I can say Jiricek has simmed very well for me usually around 50ish points each season. If we don't just acquire picks which I think should be the moves. Even with Winnipeg not having the pick on the block I don't realistically staying there they'd want to move down. Also feel like our coach has to go

Dobson has never fit your coach's style - rather than going hunting for another 91 overall defenseman, would it be worth looking for someone who is a better match for the core of this team?
Dobson
Barzal
Horvat
Martone
Eiserman
Sorokin
That's the core moving forward as far as I'm concerned. The rest are moveable/replaceable.

If you are still deadset on moving on from the Dobber, why not offer Dobson to Winnipeg with a first for DuPont? Make them an offer they can't refuse for a franchise right shot defenseman.

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Hi Data,

yeah, I was saying after first half of 26-27 season we should try Sandin on 2nd PP, or even on the 1st PP unit and the risk would be just not improving. We can see now, he was able to do something on PP, but I do not see him as 1st PP unit guy. If we do not acquire D for 1st PP unit, we could try to run it with all forwards maybe. What concerns me is Sandin, who can be useful on 2nd PP, had horrible +/- with and without Dobson. I don't even want to talk about him too much. We forgave him his greediness, but if someone disappoint you twice, that's probably on you, not on him. Let's shop him. He does not want to be here.

Who we can sell is also one of those two, Tsyplakov and Lysell (in that order).

Nelson and surprisingly, Bolduc and maybe Sorokin are the only guys from original core, who did not disappointed me yet. Especially Bolduc, he must be special, when there are three seasons and one playoffs run and only flash of something nice here and there, minuses all over the place and he somehow stays +. Even Mayfield, little bit higher contract for his role, but he is doing what he should be. Also Xhekai is also reliable, when he gets that chance.

Eiserman had a no show in this playoffs run, he had worse playoffs showing than rookie Martone, but for them both it was just their first appearance in the playoffs and I am willing to forgive them that.

Barzal, Horvat and Laine scoring two goals combined is beyond my understanding...

In this situation, something is screaming to me that we will be successful when everyone from that rotten core we took over three years ago is gone!

For the draft, if there is a chance to trade up reasonably and draft that C PWF Med Elite, I would go for it. Filling C would be nice, but don't we have too many PWF? I think in our first draft we took quite many of them. Have a look at that, pls. Btw. two Canadians in top 10 draft ranking being from ROW is beyond my understanding.

When I saw the trade block, nothing special spoke to me, but maybe at least something. Colorado had Holub, RD, 75/20 on their trade block, but I did not see more about him. If he has at least low/medium top4 potential, he might be a help to get younger, if nothing else. But we need to see more about him of course.

I will have a look at our options once more and I might come back with more ideas, but that's it for now.

Go Data! Go Isles!

Look into getting Fasth perhaps as the D replacement? We passed him on a previous year because we wanted to keep things realistic but I think he's worth taking a look now because of the trade assets we have

If you'll allow me to channel my inner slim, Dobson is an OSHA certified cone. Get anything you can fir thus man as I'm sure his value is low around the league. Anyways, hope you're excited for slow motion scouting. At least we've got next gen graphics right lol.

Hi Data, first time commenter here but I've loved the channel for a year or so now!

Anyways onto the comment:

I think that going for Dupont is the right move, as Dobson has been extremely disappointing for a 90 OVR d-man.

A team like Winnipeg has the talent to win the cup, but is likely lacking that one big piece. Given EA logic Dobson would probably lead them to a cup next year if we traded him. I'm not sure what other value we would need to give up, but I believe in Dupont, especially with how rare right handed defensemen become in future years.

That's my two cents and great video as always Data!

I think I’ve had every EA NHL game since it came into existence. Yes, I’m old. This is the absolute worse version that ever been. I play with 32 nhl teams and add 16 mixed alumni teams with no repeating players. This is sad, frozen screens every day. I’m trying to be patient but we all deserve better.