Islanders’ General Manager Lou Lamoriello Stands by Current Roster
The New York Islanders are currently stuck at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, leading to speculation that they may be sellers at the March 7 trade deadline. However, General Manager Lou Lamoriello is not ready to give up on his current roster just yet.
No Plans to Trade Key Players
Speaking with reporters in Vegas on Thursday, Lamoriello expressed his confidence in his team, stating that trading forwards Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri is "not a thought at this point." According to Newsday’s Andrew Gross, Lamoriello believes in the potential of his current roster to turn things around.
Brock Nelson: A Valuable Asset
Brock Nelson, a 33-year-old center, is expected to be the most sought-after player on the market in the coming weeks. He has posted three straight 30-plus-goal seasons, and even during a down year that has seen him score just 10 goals in 40 games, he was still named to Team USA for the Four Nations Face-Off next month.
Kyle Palmieri: A Power Forward
Kyle Palmieri, also on an expiring contract, is coming off a season in which he scored 30 goals for the first time since 2015-16. He has 12 goals in 40 games this year, but has scored just twice in his previous 18 games.
Lamoriello’s Confidence in the Roster
Lamoriello’s stance is based on his unwavering belief in the roster he has built, although it has had little turnover in the last five years. The team has devolved from back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals appearances to a pair of non-competitive first-round playoff exits in each of the last two years.
Current Standing
Entering Thursday night’s action, the Islanders sat five points out of the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, with six other teams sitting between them and the current holders, the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Conclusion
Despite the team’s current struggles, Lamoriello remains confident in his roster and is not willing to make drastic changes. Only time will tell if his approach will pay off, but for now, the Islanders will continue to try to turn things around and make a push for the playoffs.
FAQs
Q: Why is Lou Lamoriello not willing to trade Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri?
A: Lamoriello believes in the potential of his current roster and is not willing to give up on his key players.
Q: Why are the Islanders struggling this season?
A: The team has had little turnover in the last five years, leading to a lack of progress and a decline in performance.
Q: What are the Islanders’ chances of making the playoffs?
A: The team is currently five points out of the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, with six other teams sitting between them and the current holders.
