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New York Islanders Lou Lamoriello’s Five Priorities on To-Do List

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 23: A list of things still to do in preparation for this year's Notting Hill Carnival, hangs on the wall of the Flamboyant Mas Band workshop in Ladbroke Grove on August 23, 2013 in London, England. More than one million people are expected to enjoy this year's Notting Hill Carnival. It is the largest street festival in Europe and was first held in 1964 by the Afro-Caribbean community. Over the bank holiday weekend the streets come alive to steel bands, colourful floats and costumed performers as members of the public flood into the area to join in the celebrations. (Photo by Mary Turner/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 23: A list of things still to do in preparation for this year's Notting Hill Carnival, hangs on the wall of the Flamboyant Mas Band workshop in Ladbroke Grove on August 23, 2013 in London, England. More than one million people are expected to enjoy this year's Notting Hill Carnival. It is the largest street festival in Europe and was first held in 1964 by the Afro-Caribbean community. Over the bank holiday weekend the streets come alive to steel bands, colourful floats and costumed performers as members of the public flood into the area to join in the celebrations. (Photo by Mary Turner/Getty Images) /
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New York Islanders
TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 27: John Tavares #91 of the New York Islanders poses for a portrait during the 2018 NHL All-Star at Amalie Arena on January 27, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Extend John Tavares

Lou Lamoriello has already started taking steps to address this. Or so we’ve been told. Speaking with Bob McCown and John Shannon on PrimeTime sports Lou neither confirmed nor denied speaking with Tavares. Even though Arthur Staple confirmed it earlier this week.

While the talks seem to have been totally introductory in nature, it can only be a good thing that Lou is being entrusted to make these talks.

Remember, Staple wrote at the end of the season that New York Islanders owners Scott Malkin and John Ledecky are the ones leading the discussion with Tavares and his agent Pat Brisson. Not Garth Snow.

Lou has until July 1st to convince Tavares to stay with the only team he’s known. And if he can’t it would be a massif set back for the Islanders.

Sure, they have Mathew Barzal who could step into the number one center role tomorrow. But what about the second line center position? Or even third line center? The Islanders don’t have options there. And more plainly, the Islanders couldn’t make the playoffs with Tavares and Barzal. Who says they can make it with just one of those guys?

Tavares put up the third 80+ point campaign of his career in 2017-18. He’s just shy of a point per game for his career. He’s top ten at his position in the league. And he’s only 27-years-old.

The Islanders need to extend John Tavares. Without him, the Islanders take a big step backward. If you thought 17 points out of the playoffs was bad, just wait until we don’t have Tavares anymore.

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