New York Islanders: Lou Lamoriello Continues to Reshape the Franchise

By Derian Carmichael |

CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 24: General manager Lou Lamoriello of the Toronto Maple Leafs looks on during the 2017 NHL Draft at United Center on June 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)

Hiring Lou Lamoriello has given the New York Islanders some much-needed credibility.

New York Islanders President of Hockey Operations Lou Lamoriello continues what will be a busy offseason for the Islanders. Rumors have surfaced that recent Stanley Cup winner Barry Trotz will sign a five-year deal with the Islanders. The club has confirmed he has been signed.

Trotz brings instant credibility behind the bench as Lamoriello continues to place the pillars of stability for what has mostly been an unstable franchise.

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His’ hiring comes only a few weeks after Lamoriello was hired and removed Garth Snow as general manager and Doug Weight as head coach. The new president of hockey operations for the Islanders has worked quickly. Before Lamoriello’s arrival, major uncertainty loomed over the franchise with John Tavares’ free agency decision. Now there’s more clarity.

Whether or not Tavares chooses to re-sign in New York remains to be seen. But one thing is for sure – he’d be re-signing with a completely different team. The franchise center now has two of the most respected people in the game building the team and coaching it. It’s a remarkable improvement over Snow and Weight.

However, now that Lamoriello has chosen his new coach he must continue to improve the on-ice roster. Tavares is unlikely to want to re-sign with a rebuilding team, as that’s all he’s ever known with New York. Therefore, Lamoriello will likely be busy at the draft this weekend where he has a reputation for making big splashes.

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Over the years, Lamoriello has made multiple trades during draft weekend that have significantly improved his clubs. With the New Jersey Devils, Lamoriello traded up in the draft to select Zach Parise. Years later he’d also acquire Cory Schneider to take over between the pipes from hall of famer Martin Brodeur. When Lamoriello went to the Toronto Maple Leafs, his most significant trade was acquiring Frederik Andersen.

With four draft picks in the first two rounds of the draft, expect Lamoriello to be active, especially with back-to-back picks in the first round at 11th and 12th overall. What Lamoriello does with those two picks could be a major indicator in terms of what he thinks his chances are of re-signing Tavares. If he keeps both picks instead of using one in a trade, it’ll likely be a good sign Tavares is leaving.

One of the players rumored to be on the Islanders’ radar via a trade is Washington Capitals’ goaltender Philipp Grubauer. Grubauer is a restricted free agent this summer and after a breakout regular season has likely priced himself out of Washington. Although a first-round pick might be too steep of a price to pay for the goaltender, one or both of New York’s second-round picks could likely start the trade dialogue.

Regardless of what happens with Tavares after the draft, it’s likely the Islanders will be major players when free agency opens. New York has significant cap space, close to $30 million. Even if the club re-signs Tavares they’d still have enough room to chase other free agents. Should the team fail to re-sign Tavares then they’ll likely be able to outbid any other team for a player of interest.

Perhaps, instead of Tavares, the Islanders manage to sign Paul Stastny and John Carlson. With the addition of those two players, Trotz as the coach, a new goaltender, and the continued emergence of Matthew Barzal, Lamoriello could have New York knocking on the playoff door next season.

Next: Ranking Each NHL Team's All-Time Starting Lineup

Whatever happens between now and the season opener, Lamoriello is just getting started on reshaping the Islanders into his team.

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