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New York Islanders Roundtable: It’s Time for the Difficult Talk

Nov 25, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; New York Islanders celebrate after scoring a goal to tie the game in the third period of the game against San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose. The San Jose Sharks defeated the New York Islanders with a score of 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; New York Islanders celebrate after scoring a goal to tie the game in the third period of the game against San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose. The San Jose Sharks defeated the New York Islanders with a score of 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 15, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders left wing Josh Bailey (12) celebrates his goal against the Detroit Red Wings with teammates center Brock Nelson (29) and center Ryan Strome (18) during the second period at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 15, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders left wing Josh Bailey (12) celebrates his goal against the Detroit Red Wings with teammates center Brock Nelson (29) and center Ryan Strome (18) during the second period at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Matt O’Leary

The Islanders definitely need to retool rather than rebuild. Rebuilding to me is blowing everything up. The GM and coach would have to go (maybe that’s not so bad) and the Islanders would next have a fire sale. To me, a rebuild would have to include trading John Tavares and I absolutely in no way want the Islanders to do that.

John Tavares is a cornerstone player, a star, plus I remember the Islanders before Tavares.Those were some sad times, even sadder, darker and more depressing than the present.

We saw what he can do for a team within the Florida Panthers series. He carried the Islanders to that series win. Him and Thomas Greiss of course.

To me, the answer is retooling, because the Islanders did the rebuilding process already. They have their star to build around in John Tavares and they also have talented prospects in the system.

They could either move some of their under-performing yet still young forwards like Ryan Strome or Brock Nelson. If they didn’t want to go that route the Isles could then trade a few of their prospects for a complimentary piece to Tavares.

Andrew Ladd was supposed to be that guy, but he’s struggled so far in blue and orange. To me, the Isles are a few moves away from being competitive rather than blowing it all up and starting over.

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