The deadline is a week away, and Lou is still talking like your crazy uncle.
The Islanders have three more games before the NHL trade deadline and are on the precipice of some major decisions.
That’s right, we can say that conclusively. Even if Lou Lamoriello remains as tight-lipped on his plans as ever, reaching the deadline without getting assets for his pending UFAs — especially after so many years of dealing first-round picks — is absolutely a major decision. Extending Brock Nelson and/or Kyle Palmieiri would also be major decisions.
My concern is that an aging roster that is only even sniffing the outside of bubble contention when Ilya Sorokin is standing on his head, then otherwise very very bottom-fourth of the league when he’s not, is not a roster that you should be doubling down on. I love Nelson and the fact he’s logged so many games and points in an Islanders uniform and continued to improve his game, but something’s gotta give here, man. We’ve lost enough decent NHLers due to the cap implications of long-term bets on others.
Question: If the Isles extended Nelson long-term but at modest cap hit, while dumping Palmieri and, say, J-G Pageau, would you be satisfied?
Oh, whatever, the Islanders host the Nashville Predators and the best coach (now GM) they’ve had in a couple decades today at 12:30. Lou still thinks the Isles just need to focus on today.
First Islanders Goal picks go here.
Islanders News
- Lou still hopes this team makes a run, and he still hopes Nelson remains an Islander: “We can’t think about yesterday and we’re not focused on tomorrow. It’s all about tonight.” [Athletic]
- Why Patrick Roy is rating Hudson Fasching and Pierre Engvall over Max Tsyplakov (who will be scratched today) right now. [THN]
- So Fasching will play with Pageau and Cizikas. [Isles]
- Whoa, easy there tiger: “Simon Holmstrom proving he’s a top six forward.” [Newsday]
- Trade interest in Palmieri from L.A.? [THN]
- Takeaways from the win over Boston: “A journey of 1,000 miles starts with the first step.” So…we’re getting philosophical here. [Isles]
- The Skinny: Their first regulation win in Boston since Jack Capuano’s final game as coach, a 4-0 win (before his final pre-game, which was totally different). [Isles]
Elsewhere
Last night’s NHL scores had just three games, including the Smurfs losing to the Leafs in regulation.
- Craig Berube brought Ryan Reaves out of storage to deal with Matt Rempe. Caveman art exhibit! [Sportsnet]
- The player most likely to be traded for each team: “Beauvillier has been fine for the Penguins, moving up and down the lineup and chipping in with some goals. He’s fast. He plays hard.” [Athletic]
- Johnny Gaudreau’s death hangs over the outdoor game today in Ohio. [NHL]
- Can the Oilers win it all with Stuart Skinner? I mean the name does not impose fear, that’s for sure. [Sportsnet]
- Shock! Oliver Wahlstrom clears waivers. [TSN]
- Rumor roundup: Could Mikko Rantanen be traded again in season? [Sportsnet]