NHL Rumors: New York Islanders Have Tough Decisions with General Manager and Players

Welcome to another edition of NHL Rumors. The New York Islanders continue to be a team in turmoil. Despite winning over the Buffalo Sabres, the Islanders are treading water without Mathew Barzal, Anthony Duclair, and Adam Pelech in the lineup.

This could be the only saving grace as to why the general manager’s position has not been made already. It was close to happening last year, but it did not. More on that later. While many people think the coach could go, Patrick Roy only goes if he leaves himself; the Islanders need a fresh start with the roster.

It is one of the oldest teams in the NHL, and they have yet to embrace rebuilding or retooling. That probably should have happened after their second trip to the Eastern Conference Final, but their general manager, Lou Lamoriello, thought they could return there again.

Unfortunately, the chatter surrounding him and some of his roster players is not going away. In this edition of NHL Rumors, we look at the New York Islanders, their general manager, and who could be moved.

Let’s dive in.

NHL Rumors: Who Could Stay and Who Could Go?

New York Islanders – Final Curtain Call for Lou Lamoriello and Brock Nelson Interest

New York Islanders, General Manager Lou Lamoriello is managing for his job with the Islanders this season. There is major turmoil inside the organization. We have seen head coach Patrick Roy’s quote, “This is the team Lou gave me to coach.” If you want to say this is a knock on the GM, the Islanders must be more competitive.

For years, the biggest criticism of Lamoriello was not getting enough goal-scoring; well, if the Islanders fail to make the playoffs this season, he could be out of a job, similar to last season, according to a source close to RG. 

“There were people inside the organization that wanted Lamoriello out before the start of last season but were outvoted,” a source told RG. “He saved his job with the playoff appearance.”

New York Islanders: Islanders Must Adjust Their Front Office and Reimagine Lou Lamoriello’s Role in It

New Jersey Devils: The New Jersey Devils Need To Add to a Pure Goal Scorer

Montreal Canadiens: NHL Rumors: Could the Montreal Canadiens Be Making a Trade

The issue is that Lamoriello never sees the finish line, rebuilds, or retools. He always thinks his team is in it. However, consistent 30-goal scorer Brock Nelson will be a target for teams as he was last year.

“Contending teams are already eyeing him, especially if the team continues this way,” said the source. “Vancouver was a team that tried to acquire him last year, and I think they’d take another shot at him this year.”  

Nothing is imminent regarding trade talks surrounding Nelson and Kyle Palmieri, but those two players could be players of interest by the trade deadline.

Again, this depends on whether Lamoriello believes the Islanders are out of it and will become sellers.

That does it for another edition of NHL Rumors. Stay tuned for another edition as well. We Head to Manhattan to look at the New York Rangers.

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