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GM’s Future Unclear as Two Islanders Forwards Generate Trade Buzz
The New York Islanders have a pair of forwards that are generating trade buzz, but the real question surrounds the job security of their GM.
The New York Rangers are not the only team in disarray from the Metro area in the rumor mill. Over on Long Island, the New York Islanders are also sliding and continue to have names circulate in trade rumors.
The Islanders sit near the bottom of the Eastern Conference and are five points out of the final wild-card spot. However, things have not improved on the ice as the team saw players like Anthony Duclair and Mathew Barzal return to the lineup. As their struggles on the ice continue, trade speculation is going to pick up surrounding the unrestricted free agents Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri.
Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri Drawing Interest from Around the NHL
As RG reported last month, Nelson was becoming a trade target for a lot of contending teams, including the Vancouver Canucks, who looked to acquire him last season.
“Contending teams are already eyeing him, especially if the team continues this way,” a source told RG. “Vancouver was a team that tried to acquire him last year, and I think they’d take another shot at him this year.”
As NHLTradeTalk.com has reported, the Canucks want to add a top-six forward and a top-four defenseman. So it makes sense to add a player like Nelson, considering he is a consistent 30-goal scorer. Not to mention, Brock Boeser is a pending unrestricted free agent, and there is some uncertainty surrounding his future there.
Adding fuel to the fire, Dave Pagnotta of the Fourth Period confirmed RG’s report that teams have been calling on the Islanders pending free agents. He said on a recent episode of the Latest that if the Islanders want to move these players, both could fetch first-round picks.
Teams have already reached out. They’ve expressed interest in both of these guys, Palmieri and Nelson, and based on how they’re playing, they can generate first-round draft picks in packages for each guy. This is a good opportunity for the Islanders to pivot a little bit on the season, collect some substantial assets, get some young prospects back in the cupboard, fill that up a little bit, and be aggressive in the summer come free agency.
With the Islanders hosting the All-Star Game next season before the Olympics, it would make sense to be aggressive in the offseason with a couple of big-name free agents out there.
Is Lou Lamoriello Safe As General Manager?
However, the biggest question remains: will Lou Lamoriello be the General Manager of the Islanders at that point?
In the same article by RG, they report that there are some within the organization that Lamoriello out as general manager. The belief is that Lamoriello saved his job once, but it will be tough to do it again.
“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.”
If the Islanders are to make these moves, they will only happen if the team is out of playoff contention. Right now, it is a wait-and-see approach as these players garner interest around the league. Lamoriello feels his teams are never out of the playoff race.
If things remain the same or get worse for the New York Islanders by the trade deadline, they could make a move out of these players. However, that is not the Lamoriello way. He will not sell off unless he really has to.
Next: NHL Trade Talk Morning Roundup: Kaprizov on IR, Plus Kings & Leafs
