Brock Nelson’s trade to the Colorado Avalanche has sent shockwaves through the NHL. The New York Islanders, a team with a storied history, are at a crossroads. What does this mean for their future?
With the trade deadline behind us, Gil Martin dissects the Islanders’ strategy, focusing on Lou Lamoriello’s decisions and the implications for the team’s aging core. Key figures like Callum Ritchie and Kyle Palmieri are at the center of this discussion, as Martin questions the Islanders’ asset management and future prospects.
The episode also covers the minor trade involving Dennis Cholowski and Adam Beckman, highlighting the Islanders’ defensive logjam and potential roster shifts. Will the Islanders capitalize on their current assets, or is a long offseason ahead?
Tune in for an in-depth analysis of the Islanders’ path forward and the strategic moves that could reshape their future.
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38 Comments
Gil, it means nothing when that’s the only move. He’ll resign in the offseason for 8×3 or 4 guaranteed.
Love the return for Brock but Lou must of went my back to sleep after the trade. Ritchie is most likely the #2 center to start the season next year and future if all goes well.
bye bye 29. Probably can thank 29 for forcing this trade by not re-signing because i have a feeling that is the only reason louzer faced reality and made this trade. Yes louzer came out probably with the best deal possible in terms of a top prospect, first, and at least two other picks yet failed to get an nhl caliber player or players to put in line-up. And fact remains louzer went back into snooze mode outside of a very minor deal of with his log jam of d men moved 25 out for a guy beckman i never heard of. And 21 remains-a complete failure by louzer not to cash in on his other tradable ufa asset meaning louzer must have the 3-5 year contract waiting to be signed. Or as usual louzer can't gauge a tdl anymore and waited too long on 21 and lost out once the other fwds. were flying off the board fri. as rantanen-again, marchand, laughton, mittelstat, cozens for norris, coyle, all moved on last day. And strangely despite trading their second leading scorer and 20 g man 29 away none of the teams isles are batting with for w c made major moves outside of b's selling off marchand and sens norris/middlestat deal with sabres. pens sold off for more picks, wings strangely added another goalie, flyers – laughton, and bj's did nothing. caps at top of east only added beau who continues to move thru division. laffs added carlo and laughton, rags already made their moves and added kubel nj a spot for 21added a glass and sprong who wont move the needle so louzer couldn't make a 21 deal with nj with their ltir space? And nhl leading jets didn't add the 2 c they needed just adding tanev leading one to believe either avs outbid jets for nelson or jets wanted no ufa who wouldn't re-sign there. la a good spot for 21 as well added ufa to be kuzmenko for a third. So 29 moves on. louzer fails to add more to futures by keeping 21 meaning a three year deal awaits, and isles will go thru this same louzer will he move them or wont he shit at next years tdl with 44 and 27.
tdl went from what could have been an A+ to c or incomplete. Thanks louzer. Now hope for a fall to bottom of east which would get isles into top 5 lottery area. Of course isles with no hope now could still sneak into playoffs. Look at wings 4 straight l's and another pre-tdl falter after their two month run and only added mrazek and should have moved ufa kane as no one wanted vt. Louzer could have added vt for a fifth.
This was a colossal missed opportunity by Lamorrielo. Overall very disappointing results, and you hit it on the nose Gil, Lamoriello wouldnt have made any moves if he would have it his way. One last thought, Lamariello needs to go and he can take his overpriced 3 million dollar a year pet swan with him. Hopefully the Isles can get a competent GM who will be committed to putting together an exciting competetive team on the ice, and doesn't care about irrelevant details like the players facial hair. In case Lou is confused due to his age, he's the GM of the NY Islanders, not the Gillette Blade Runners. Its time for him to go, in the past he was a great GM but now he's equivalent to a dinner guest that you can't wait to leave your home
Should have traded Palmieri also
Palmieri, plus we now have 9 D-men on the roster with Reilly coming off IR. A couple of trades needed to be made.
Mayfield is the 11th d man
I like what they received from the Avs, but the Islanders should have traded Kyle and JP. It's stupid they didn't do that. Where are the owners? Where is Ledecky and Malkin. Ledecky loves to spend time with the fans, that's nice, but what about making smart decisions. I guess I'm saying the same thing everyone else is. Ritchie sounds like another Matt Barzal.
I devastated that the Oliver Killington era is over.
I think the owners still believe what Lou believes. I don't think it's only Lou's decision. If Lou were about 15 years younger, he would have made the moves. I think he's trying to win while he's still in charge and that's not the formula for success.
The more Lou doubles down on the core and the more ownership doubles down on Lou. The easier it’ll be for us to be in a perpetual rebuild. It’s looking like that’s going to be the likely scenario now.
I seriously don’t get it… why are Lou and his son still here?! They’re both inept and actively hurting this organization.
Maybe interest dropped in Palmeri once other teams started adding, or Palmeri asked not to be traded? We all know how loyal ( to a fault ) Lou can be. Shame, he started off well, then went old school Lou.
I gotta be honest I'd be lieing if I told you I didn't shed a tear while nelson spoke to Shannon so ty nelson for giving this club your all now go get that cup brother
Lou sucks! Palmeri should have been sold off too.
This October Lou is 83 years old. In no way should an 83 year old be running a sports franchise. Old and stubborn is a terrible combo. Paging our now absentee owners……
Good 🌄, Gil. How are you? Lou Lamoriello did what he had to do when he traded Brock Nelson to CO. He will be missed. He's a good man who gave himself to the LI community. Again, I wish him well. Some day, he's going to make the Islanders HOF, as well as the plaque. Calum Ritchie, a 20-year old right handed center. Lou Lamoriello gets a first round pick in 2026. Lou Lamoriello made Nelson an offer. HE REFUSED. I wish Brock Nelson the best. Lou Lamoriello's extended Kyle Palmieri's contract. I'm glad Palmieri's staying 🏡, but now he and the rest of the players have to step up offensively. Lou traded Dennis Chulowski, too. The Islanders are in San Jose to swim with the sharks. Even though they've been 🏊♀️ with 🦈, they can play spoiler, AND THE ISLANDERS KNOW IT, AND THAT GOES FOR THE 🦢, TOO. Doesn't Lou Lamoriello want to get the Islanders out of the muddy middle? As I said before, the higher-ups should tell Lou, EITHER YOU MAKE MORE CHANGES, OR YOU'LL NO LONGER BE ON THE NY ISLANDERS PAYROLL. Dennis Chulowski is going over the GW 🌉 to NJ. In return, they got Adam Beckman, a 23-year old with a good 🏒 IQ, can he put the puck in the net, but not defensively sound. I wouldn't be surprised if he got called up. Hear from you later, or Monday, Gil. If you ever 👀 The Warner, "LET'S GO TO THE VIDEOTAPE SHOW," HE had Mike Bossy, Clark Gillies, Billy Smith, and last but not least, Bryan Trottier on. I'm going to 👀 it. Now, LET'S GO ISLANDERS.
Why is Lou handing out an extension to a 34 year old? Lee’s going to be 36 , Ask Pittsburgh how that worked out. At least Sweeney had the guts to clean house. Throw the blanket over his lap and wheel grandpa to the curb. Enough
I love their team on paper but maybe the pelech pullock duo.has expired? Let's also say sorokin is not playing like a top 3 goalie. Defneilty gets more help the Sarros… ever since trotz they couldn't find a blueprint to real success…. that's a big hole.to fill not having Brock…he didn't seemed to thrilled either to be in colorodo…I say their is a good chance he comes back…
Big stat here. Barzel 30GP. That's a problem. Like making the playoffs without your #1 guy is tough. No?
For next offseason… I think it is time to part from Dobson. He is a beast I call him a #2…but I don't think it's a good fit for the island….Make a big blockbuster trade with SJ and get Ferraro Bystad Musty and a 2nd… gotta get younger…
Idk if pelech or pullock are even tradable but if they are one of them gunna have to see the door…
As for free agency I'd look for more depth pieces…. rosolovic, kunin, Sturm, Donato, and nosak…
They clearly need more scoring but I don't see a fit really… so might as well start a min rebuild… I dont think they have to sell-off and do it on the fly like the rangers…
Injury plagued season shouldn't mean Lou or Roy on the chopping block.
But let's call a spade a spade here. Sorkoin HAS to play better.
don't have any problem keeping palmieri if it's for a 3 year deal and keeping us in the mix..not easy to go out and find 25 , 30 goal scorers…especially on a random second round draft pick…..full tear downs, full rebuilds rarely work. feel we are in a good spot now with a mix of youth, prospects and established veterans. couple of tweaks before next year and feel we are a playoff team again. year after that, major cap space opens up. honestly pelech i would have moved while there is still value for him..speaking of slowing down…
The old adage “follow the money” the owners have dictated to Lou to maximize as much $$ as u can and keep as many fans engaged for the last 20 games watching on tv and in the seats and bonus if you get 2 home playoff games. Its the only logical thing i can think of. As has been said LL not stupid so if not lou then he is taking direction from owners
I could not be happier that Brock pressed this situation. I would have been pissed to have him resigned for 3 years. If he’s a teams best scorer your team has issues. He has been a great player for the islanders but what we got in return for his was his last contribution he had to offer this team. Good luck 2-9 hope you win the cup buddy.
I’m tired of the hating on Lou, everyone thinks they are a general manger, thank you to the owners for ignoring the fan base
Makes no sense trade Nelson but keep palms unreal didn't trade any defense lou has to go asap
Gonna miss Brock. A true 200 ft. Player.
Gil, of course we wish one of our favorite Islanders well. He's been with us for a decade and we'll miss him terribly. Can't wait to play Colorado next so he can get the standing ovation he deserves. I do wish more deals would have happened. So much so, that I'm a a loss for words. Lou still needs to go. He made the future team a little bit faster, but we're certainly not a better team, yet. What does the rest of us think? Everyone, have a great rest of your weekend! See everyone again Monday. Until then.. Let's Go Islanders!!
Im pretty sure hogberg was skating yesterday 2/7 so that's good but your 1000% right he can't let the wheels fall off here i mean cmon don't push yourself into a corner
Spot on as always. Thanks Gil.
Sorry to see Brock go… but it's a good deal for us and Brock…we got a good prospect and the first… Brock has a good chance to win a cup this year… so I'm happy for both sides…other than that Lou definitely failed us…we should have made more trades… brought back more assets… but he didn't…over all not a happy camper 😢
I was hoping that Lee, Palm, JG, Mayfield, D'Angelo, Boq, Martin, Ciz and Ducl would be traded, Had we clean house with these players gone we will have enough to get Fre Agents Marner at R/W and Rattenen also R/W…imagine line one Jefferies, Bo, Rattenen….Line 2 Ehlers F/A Barzy and Marner not bad for starters….
Agree 100% with you Gil. Lou could of and SHOULD of done more. Wish Brock all the luck with the Avs. LGI
Horvat 29, Pageau 32, Ritchie 20, D. Nelson 19, MacLean 25, Gatcomb 25, (Cizikas)
Pageau likely gets moved out next year.
There's a nice mix of skills with Horvat, Ritchie, Nelson and MacLean/Gatcomb down the middle for the next 5 years.
Defence is in good shape Dobson 25, Romanov 25, George 20, Pelech 30, Pulock 30, Boqvist 24, DeAngelo 29. I could see Pelech being moved out in the offseason.
Sorokin and Hogberg are fine going forward – excellent if Sorokin returns to form.
The wings are where Lou needs to pick up some players in the offseason.
Barzal and Holmstrom are solid moving forward. Lee hopefully has one more good season in him.
I'm not sure about Duclair.
Tsyplakov is fine.
It would be nice to add an Ehlers type player to push Duclair down to 3rd line.
If We Want James And Trevor Van Riemsdyk Brothers To The New York Islanders 🐉🐉
I am disappointed at how Lou handled the trade deadline. I live in Ma., so I’m far away but, the only way a change will be made is if people stopped buying tickets to the games, stopped buying Isles merchandise, and stopped watching the games.
It seems like the owners are oblivious to what’s going on so the fans must hurt them where it counts, in their pockets, maybe then they will listen.
Disappointed overall, I’m glad Brock did us a favor by setting us up for the future with Ritchie and that first pick could either be used to get another prospect or a trade chip, what bothers me about 21 is that we could of traded him for assets and then resigned him in the offseason if he really wanted to stay, would of loved to tear it all down with 44 and 27 that way we could of competed for a top 4 pick, instead will likely just miss the playoffs and settle for a mid round or we just make it and get bounced in the first round. Hope a new GM comes in this offseason and does right by the team, if 21 is still here for a team friendly deal then fine but parting with 27 and 44 would put us in a great cap situation to sign prime free agents and get us back into contention come next season.
Lou is probably going to try to resign Pageau and Lee next year🤦♂️
memo to islanders owners, I can do what Lou has done in the last 5 years, ruined the islanders and it would not cost you as much. Question to owners, what does Lou have on you two, why is Lou still here? Also do you two know what day it is? hhheelllooo are you still at the Olympics watching your niece swim?
Hey Lou the players in the NHL use sticks, the players on the islanders use canes on the ice, Lou it is time to retire, the game has passed you by…get lost