New York Islanders General Manager Lou Lamoriello likes what he knows.
Travis Zajac, Kyle Palmieiri, Andy Greene and Cory Schneider are all back together again. No, this isn’t the 2016 New Jersey Devils. This is the 2021 New York Islanders, but both teams have one constant and that’s having Lou Lamoriello at the helm.
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The trade that sent Palmieri and Zajac to Long Island this week marked the second year in a row that New York Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello picked up talent from his old team. There has been a good amount of debate of who deserves the credit for the Islanders success in the post John Tavares era.
While some point to superstar forward Mathew Barzal and Head Coach Barry Trotz, most of the credit likely belongs to Lamoriello, who for one probably had a hand in convincing Trotz to leave the then reigning Stanley Cup Champions Washington Capitals.
We can’t forget Lamoriello’s stealthy pickups in the Free Agency department either. Lamoriello has had considerable success picking seemingly bargain bin goalies that have contributed more than their fair share to the Islanders. Even if former Devils goalie Cory Schneider isn’t the starting goalie or backup, he was a low risk option for the team to carry a third goalie in these weird Taxi Squad times.
It’s a reunion with the New York Islanders for Lou Lamoriello and his old players. It worked out for them last year, and will probably work just as well this year.
This begs the question, is Lamoriello building the Islanders roster, or is he rebuilding his New Jersey Devils roster? Some hockey reporters such as Tom Giulutti are making a joke out of it. Look at the Palmieri and Zajac trade. For the record, Palmieri was a Ray Shero pickup, and was almost certain to be traded.
Zajac was a complete surprise. While a great NHL player, Devils fans always seemed to think Lamoriello favored Zajac and pointed to his contract as proof. Well Zajac, who had previously turned down trades, waived his no trade clause to be reunited with Lamoriello. I guess the feeling is mutual.
We can complain and joke, but so far it’s worked out well for Lamoriello. Greene helped the Islanders to the Eastern Conference Final last year. Palmieri is an instant offensive weapon and Travis Zajac can find his place anywhere on the roster as a two-way forward. Considering what the team gave up, a few AHL caliber players and a First Round Pick in 2021 in addition to a conditional Fourth-Round selection in 2022, it’s hard to consider that an overpayment.
With the departure of Palmieri and Zajac, the influence of Lou Lamoriello is all but gone from the current New Jersey Devils roster. Damon Severson remains the only New Jersey Devil to have been drafted and played under Lamoriello. A few others, such as Miles Wood and Scott Wedgwood, were drafted under Lamoriello but didn’t make their NHL debuts until after he left for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Pavel Zacha and Mackenzie Blackwood were drafted under Ray Shero, but when Lamoriello was still a part of the front office.
You can’t fault Lou Lamoriello for going after players he’s familiar with. He doesn’t have to kick the tires on a car he’s already driven. With the fact these players are aging, their contributions on the New York Islanders will most likely be shorter than their time with the Devils. If they can win a Stanley Cup this year, it just might make up for all of that.