Islanders Anxiety – Episode 363 – Pixie Dust Everywhere — and more

Mike and Dan are relaxed and excited as the Islanders win three in a row and put themselves in good position for both the playoffs and the NHL Trade Deadline.

We were worried that going into two places they never win in – Montreal and Columbus – and coming back to face the rabid Panthers at home could be a significant hill for the Islanders to climb immediately after the Olympic break. But behind the Disney Dads, Anders Lee and J-G Pageau, and the literally unbelievable Matthew Schaefer, they won all three in uncharacteristically exciting fashion and have us thinking that something special is going on here. Going down 0-2 in each of them isn’t ideal, but coming back to get points and create separation between them and the teams chasing them means everything right now as teams enter their final 24 game stretch.

The wins also mean that the games this week in California against the Ducks, Kings and Sharks have just a little less weight on them. If they can keep the streak going, they have a real chance to lock things up long before the season’s final week, which is huge departure from the last few seasons.

Later, we look ahead to Friday’s NHL Trade Deadline and how the Islanders have positioned themselves to do something big. Adding around the edges might be okay in most seasons, but if they can find some bigger fish to relieve the pressure on their current leaders, they might really scare the rest of the field.

Finally, we pay our respects to two great NHL voices that we have lost recently.

REFERENCES

• The Islanders already made a huge trade (for Bridgeport). Goodbye, Julien Gauthier.
• RIP Jim Robson, who’s call of Bob Nystrom’s goal in 1980 will remain in Islanders and NHL lore forever.
• RIP Boomer Gordon, a great radio host, good person and a friend who will be missed.
• This picture really is incredible:
  

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This is already aging well for Atlanta.

In just two days, we should know whether or not the Seattle Seahawks will stay true to form under John Schneider and not use either the franchise tag or transition tag. The only times they’ve ever used the franchise tag since Schneider became general manager in 2010 were Olindo Mare and Frank Clark, the latter eventually traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in lieu of playing on the tag. Clark signed his tag and got a contract from the Chiefs afterward.

The Seahawks have three high-profile free agents who could be considered tag candidates: Rashid Shaheed, Riq Woolen, and Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III. It seems more likely that all three walk in free agency than any one get the franchise or transition tag.

Last week we had a post in The Feed from regular Field Gulls commenter Donut Receipt, which linked to The Ringer NFL podcast speculating that the Seahawks could use the less heralded transition tag on Walker. While it’s not an impossibility, it’s also both risky and extremely unlikely.

The key differences between the transition tag and franchise tag

Transition tags are cheaper than franchise tags

If the Seahawks wanted to franchise tag Walker, for example, then it would cost them $14,293,000 and immediately count against the salary cap whether he signs or not. Under the transition tag, Walker’s one-year deal would also be fully guaranteed and immediately count against the cap, but the salary would be “only” $11,323,000. Saving over $3 million sounds pretty good! Except…

There is no exclusive transition tag

An exclusive franchise tag means a player cannot negotiate with other teams, whereas a non-exclusive franchise tagged player can speak with other teams and receive an offer sheet.

Transition tags are only non-exclusive and therefore players are free to negotiate elsewhere and sign an offer sheet. Just like the non-exclusive franchise tag, the original team has five days to match any offer sheet. But here’s the problem…

There is NO draft compensation for losing a player on the transition tag

If an offer sheet to a non-exclusive franchise tagged player is not matched, then the original team receives two first-round picks as compensation.

If an offer sheet to a non-exclusive transition tagged player is not matched, then the original team gets nothing in return. Zip. Zilch. Nada. There are no draft picks coming back—tagging a player also negates the compensatory pick avenue—hence this is a riskier move that is seldom made.

Transition tag usage is very rare

Dating back to 2014, only six players have been given the transition tag, most recently Kyle Dugger in 2024 before he signed an extension with the New England Patriots (only to be traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers last year). For context, eight players had a franchise tag designation just in 2024.

An example of a team losing a player with no draft compensation in return is the Miami Dolphins, who transition tagged tight end Charles Clay in the 2015 offseason. The AFC East rival Buffalo Bills signed him to a five-year, $38 million contract and Miami opted not to match.

On the flip side, the Green Bay Packers gave Chicago Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller a four-year, $56 million offer while he was transition tagged back in 2018. Chicago matched the offer and he stayed with the Bears.

Let’s not go down the transition tag road as Seahawks fans

I know such clauses are now defunct, but the Seahawks know a thing or two about a transition tag gone wrong. Steve Hutchinson, “poison pill” language from the Minnesota Vikings, Super Bowl window immediately closes, and the rest is history. Seattle has not used the transition tag in the 20 years since then.

tl;dr:

• Don’t tag, let them test the market = Possible compensatory draft picks in 2027 if they’re not re-signed
• Non-exclusive franchise tag, let them test the market = Two first-round picks in compensation if an offer sheet is not matched
• Transition tag, let them test the market = Nothing if an offer sheet is not matched

The Seahawks are unlikely to tag any of their free agents, but even less so with the transition tag.

Tottenham Hotspur has confirmed it has imposed indefinite bans on three supporters for making Nazi salutes during a Champions League fixture in Germany.

The offensive gestures were performed during Spurs’ 2-0 victory against Eintracht Frankfurt in late January.

Uefa sanctioned the London club for the behaviour, imposing a €30,000 (£26,212) fine and a suspended ban on selling away tickets for one match.

Tottenham had previously labelled the conduct as "utterly abhorrent conduct" and vowed to punish those responsible.

“The club has been informed of sanctions handed down to us by Uefa following the utterly abhorrent conduct of a small number of individuals at our recent Champions League away match in Frankfurt,” a statement read.

“The club has cooperated fully with Uefa’s investigation, as well as with German police on the night and, subsequently, the Met Police.

“We can confirm that all three individuals found to be making Nazi salutes towards Eintracht Frankfurt fans have been identified and have received indefinite bans under the club’s Sanctions and Banning Policy.

“The club stands firmly against all forms of discrimination and has therefore taken the strongest possible action. The disgusting behaviour of a minority of so-called fans on the night is in no way reflective of the values of our club and its supporters.”

Spurs received a further fine of €2,250 (£1,966) for the “throwing of objects” by fans at the match on 28 January.

The Uefa Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Board (CEDB) has brought the charges against Spurs, who are in a precarious position domestically after a record-equalling 10-match run without a win in the Premier League.

A statement read: “The CEDB has decided: To fine Tottenham Hotspur €30,000 and to ban Tottenham Hotspur from selling tickets to its away supporters for the next one (1) Uefa competition match, for the racist and/or discriminatory behaviour of its supporters.

“Said ban from selling tickets to its away supporters is suspended for a probationary period of one (1) year, starting from the date of the present decision.”

Tottenham’s next Champions League fixture is a last-16 tie away to Atletico Madrid on 10 March.