New York Islanders: Does Lou Lamoriello Revive Josh Ho-Sang

Will the New York Islanders move on from Josh Ho-Sang this offseason, or will the addition of Lou Lamoriello revive Josh Ho-Sang’s tenure with the Islanders?

Besides New York Islanders fans, and maybe Ilya Sorokin, the happiest guy that Lou Lamoriello is in charge is likely Josh Ho-Sang. Ho-Sang felt like he was the scapegoat for the Isles defensive problems last year and he spoke out about it candidly.

He wasn’t wrong. Ho-Sang was banished to the depths of Bridgeport Connecticut after 22 games. In those 22 games, Ho-Sang had 12 points, a pace of 45 points over a full season. The negative aspects of Ho-Sang’s game became the rhetoric against the Islanders over that time.

Once he was sent down, the Islanders never decided to call him back up and gave numerous opportunities to Jason Chimera, Brock Nelson, and Tanner Fritz instead.

It looked like things were all over for Ho-Sang here in New York and another Nino Nieddereiter situation would be upon us. But then, the addition of Lou Lamoriello happened and the mindset changed.

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It can’t be denied how important an addition Lou Lamoriello is to the Islanders. Unlike Garth, Lamoriello has a history of developing young players and Ho-Sang might just be the next project he’s able to tame.

It was clear that Snow, and the Islanders brass of old, weren’t a fan of Ho-Sang’s gimmick.  Even though they knew what they were getting when they took him in 2014.

As Elliott Friedman cites, there’s speculation that Ho-Sang gets moved but he doesn’t necessarily think that’s going to happen. I tend to agree with Friedman. Ho-Sang can be a part of the Islanders future, I wouldn’t be so quick to give up on him.

I’m still salivating at the thought of a Bellows – Beauvillier – Ho-Sang line in 2018, and I want to see it through to fruition. The difference is I have faith in Lou Lamoriello as opposed to Garth Snow.

Snow would move him just because he has a personal beef with him and get below market value for him. If Lamoriello moves on from Ho-Sang I’m confident it would be in a package for either a big-time defender or big-time goalie.

If that’s the case, I’m okay with the Islanders parting ways with Ho-Sang. I still like him a great deal as a prospect, but I’d be more than content to land an impact goalie or defenseman.

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If Lamoriello is still the talent evaluator we believe he is, he won’t give up on  Ho-Sang. If anything he’s the type of executive that would be able to put him in the position to get the most out of him. For that, we should be exited.