What can Lou Lamoriello do with the New York Islanders?
Kevin Kurz of The Athletic: It’ll be an attention-grabbing couple of weeks for the New York Islanders and Lou Lamoriello. The fact is that New York has gotten no nearer to a playoff spot. Plus, time is working out at this level. When a workforce is 15-20 factors out of the ultimate wildcard, they’re just about presumed sellers.
Whether or not Lamoriello desires to confess this evaluation is a distinct story completely. The New York Islanders had been anticipated to be a lot increased within the standings and be consumers in a pair weeks. Think about if Devon Toews stayed an Islander for a second. Ah, how issues is likely to be totally different.
New York and Lamoriello haven’t utterly thrown within the towel on this season.
“Ought to we be higher than the place we’re? In my feeling, sure,” he stated.
Meaning there will likely be a transfer or two to not promote essentially however to shuffle the deck. Lamoriello makes strikes like this usually in an effort to finally retold for subsequent 12 months. Rebuild is just not in his vocabulary. What occurs within the subsequent two weeks will likely be telling.
What about Jakob Chychrun, Tyler Motte, and different gamers?
Frank Seravalli of Each day Faceoff: The commerce deadline wheel retains spinning as Frank Seravalli takes a fast have a look at some prospects come March twenty first. Or, it might be sooner.
Some chatted briefly a few participant like Spencer Knight. The Florida Panthers predictably stated no. Jakob Chychrun, alternatively, is one that won’t go away so quick. There appears to be curiosity from groups. It simply comes right down to who can supply the very best package deal. Arizona doesn’t have to drag the set off now. They will wait.
After that, there may be Tyler Motte, who Vancouver could finally maintain. A Motte extension could also be round what Sean Kuraly obtained (4 x $2.5 million AAV). IF they can not signal him, Motte will likely be gone.
Carolina seems poised to comply with a $4-$4.5 million AAV extension with Jesperi Kotkaniemi. It seems to be a matter of time.
Lastly, there may be Nick Paul of the Ottawa Senators. Paul was supplied a $2 million AAV for 3 years. Paul’s agent desires extra. If they’re nonetheless far aside come March twenty first, Ottawa will commerce him.