Lamoriello Still Has Work To Do This Offseason – Hockey Writers – New York Islanders

The New York Islanders have already surprised everyone with their offseason performance. They also signed Mike Reilly to a one-year deal, a move that strengthens the defensive back line. Then they went out and signed Anthony Duclair to a four-year contract, adding a veteran to the front six.

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For general manager (GM) Lou Lamoriello, this unfamiliar territory and action is enough to allow him to take the winning streak. He rarely makes a move and this summer he finally went out and did it. The thing is that the Islanders still have a lot of work to do. Sure, Duclair has developed it but he's not one to move the needle. He made the Islanders a better team but not enough to compete in the Eastern Conference.

Considering all the moves that have happened in the past few days, it seems like there isn't much left and Lamoriello can't make a move that could change the team's dynamic. However, there are a few things that could be in the works, and as the Islanders look to get over the hump, they could make another big signing or trade in the coming weeks.

Islanders Must Add Depth Going Forward

The Islanders' biggest need is always depth up front, specifically, to go forward on the back lines to create offense. They have a top-heavy roster with Mathew Barzal, Bo Horvat, and Brock Nelson all carrying the offense while the third and fourth lines struggle. Even with the Duclair deal and the potential downside (Anders Lee could play on the third line for example), the Islanders still have a very heavy roster.

Therefore, the Islanders can and should add to the roster and especially, make a deep scoring move. There are not many players left to sign but they can still make important moves. The name that everyone has been emphasizing is Vladimir Tarasenko in recent years who has become a journeyman but has also won two trophies, making him an interesting player on the market. The Islanders could also target Jack Roslovic, Tyler Johnson, and James van Riemsdyk, a trio of swingmen who won't blow anyone away but will provide a spark in the middle of the forward unit.

The Islanders don't have to make a big move with their top six set. At this point, a small addition would go a long way considering the state of the roster. At the same time, the addition of a splash is something Lamoriello has to watch out for.

Lamoriello Should Make a Splash

With all the big names off the board, the next best option is for Lamoriello to make a blockbuster trade. With limited salary cap space to work with, it seems like a trade is more wishful thinking than reality as the move would require Lamoriello to jump through hoops to pull it off. However, it is still possible.

Big names to watch for 2025 free agents. With Jaccob Slavin, Pavel Buchnevich, and Victor Hedman signing extensions, that list is shrinking but the two biggest names to watch out for are Mitch Marner and Leon Draisaitl. Both can take any team to the next level, but of course, the obstacles in the way are hard to ignore. The Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers are looking to compete for the Stanley Cup again this season and both players are important for them to do so. Also, both Marner and Draisaitl will need not only a significant haul for the Islanders to acquire but also a subsequent extension with a huge cap hit.

With those pitchers no longer playing, who could Lamoriello target in hopes of changing the team's dynamic? Nikolaj Ehlers and Martin Necas are two skaters who come to mind as the strongest forwards on the trading block. Another player to watch is Sam Bennett, who is a free agent after the 2024-25 season but could leave the Stanley Cup-winning Florida Panthers if they give Carter Verhaeghe an extension this offseason. Lamoriello has his options but making another big move and adding talent from outside the organization still seems unlikely.

Islanders Can Extend Key Players

This is likely a task that Lamoriello will spend the remainder of the season accomplishing and will take care of, most likely, by the end of the summer. It's Lamoriello's way of waiting until days before training camp begins to announce a key player extension. It has happened before, especially with Barzal, and it will happen again.

Three skaters to remember are Nelson, Noah Dobson, and Alexander Romanov. All three are playing this season on expiring deals and accordingly, all three have been extended. Any of them could get a significant trade haul both this offseason and at the trade deadline but Lamoriello would like to keep these skaters as part of a contending core.

The question for Lamoriello is what kind of extension he wants to give. Nelson would get a contract with the team that would keep him with the Islanders until he retires but that would require him to ride. Dobson would receive high-level protection money so if an extension were to happen to him, it would require a roster overhaul to make it work. Then there's Romanov, the team's wild card. He is an underrated piece of the defense and is a player who will not have a major title but is getting a significant contract with more time to ensure that he remains an important part of the Islanders defense.

Other Moves Lamoriello Can Make

There is always the possibility that Lamoriello brings back Cal Clutterbuck or Matt Martin. Both starters are aging and liabilities, but don't put Lamoriello up for signing. He likes to be a forward-looking, hard-hitting presence on the fourth line and both veterans provide that.

Another thing to watch out for is the trade where the Islanders moved a player from their roster to clear some cap space. Jean-Gabriel Pageau would be a player to trade with but if you consider that he has been a teammate of Duclair, there is little chance of him moving. Another forward to watch is Kyle Palmieri, who is one of the Islanders' leading scorers but is a free agent after this season.

Is there a move Lamoriello should make after the offseason? Let us know in the comment section below!