Sansided
Eyes On Isles
Home/Editorials

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 08: Singer Aretha Franklin performs onstage during the 2008 MusiCares person of the year honoring Aretha Franklin held at the Los Angeles Convention Center on February 8, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 08: Singer Aretha Franklin performs onstage during the 2008 MusiCares person of the year honoring Aretha Franklin held at the Los Angeles Convention Center on February 8, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) /

Give the Islanders Respectability

This has already been achieved in part. Simply by joining the New York Islanders organization Lou Lamoriello has already given some respectability to the Islanders.

There’s still work to be done. Though.

The owners have been talking about a strive for excellence ever since they arrived. But until the Lou Lamoriello hiring, we had no reason to believe that they actually believed that. Or if it was just some buzzword to appease the fans.

Sure, they’ve rebuilt the practice facility and yes, they’ve secured Belmont. But the New York Islanders still aren’t a premier destination for players. They aren’t even a destination. Pool any number of players and ask them where they don’t want to go and the Islanders end up on that list. A lot.

Before leaving ESPN Craig Custance did just that and the Islanders routinely ranked at the top of the no-trade list submitted by players.

It’s not to say that the Islanders need free agents to put a better team on the ice. But free agency is one option that is routinely closed to the Islanders. Opening that up by making the team a destination for players opens every possible angle.

Next: Lou Lamoriello's Top 5 Draft Picks

The New York Islanders new President of Hockey Operations has a ton of work ahead of him. And he doesn’t have long to achieve it all. The Hall of Famer has his work cut out for him thanks to Garth Snow. Hopefully, it isn’t too late and Lou can fix this broken franchise and set it on a course toward success.

facebooktwitterreddit