New York Islanders GM Managing Expectations Ahead of Trade Deadline

On Saturday, New York Islanders GM told members of the media that he’d be fine if the Isles didn’t add at the trade deadline. That’s Lou managing expectations.

Ahead of the New York Islanders entertaining the Edmonton Oilers at the Barclays Center, GM Lou Lamoriello spoke to the media. Naturally, questions about the Islanders activity at the trade deadline came up.

Lou, being the willy General Manager that he is, sought to manage expectations that his organization currently faces; adding, and adding big at the trade deadline.

With a ton of cap space, holes to fill within the roster, and with the Islanders sitting at the top of the Metro, it’s easy to see where these expectations come from. Teams in the Islanders positions typically add big at the trade deadline.

But Lou, wanted everyone to know, that might not be the case for the New York Islanders.

Adding Nothing?

Speaking to the media, Lou Lamoriello indicated that if a move didn’t take place, he’d be fine with the roster he currently has.

That makes sense. The roster he has sits at the top of the Metropolitan Division with a three-point cushion thanks to a 34-17-6 record.

But watching the Islanders recently, its clear that the New York Islanders are missing quality at the top of the forward depth chart. Mathew Barzal’s currently playing next to Tom Kuhnhackl, a player who was a healthy scratch for most of the season.

That isn’t news to Lou Lamoriello. He of all people knows how much (or how little) talent this team has.

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I’d be shocked if the New York Islanders didn’t add at the trade deadline. What Lou was trying to do (other than give an easy answer to the question asked) was to manage expectations. If there’s a possibility that the Islanders don’t add at the trade deadline, it wouldn’t be the end of the world.