Islanders Fans: Don’t Panic, Trust in Lou Lamoriello

Attention New York Islander fans. Do not panic as you are in good hands with Lou Lamoriello. The offseason will be completed soon.

It’s been a slow go for the New York Islanders this offseason. Each move has taken time but the blue and orange are closing in on the finish line.

It appears given the NHL economics and that effect on keeping the salary cap flat, the Islanders will be signing Mathew Barzal to a bridge deal. The deal will likely be at $6 million AAV for two or three years. Keep in mind Barzal is not eligible to become an unrestricted free agent for another four years.

The fan base wants Barzal locked up to a max eight-year contract. Playing armchair psychologist one can call this the John Tavares syndrome. Comparing Barzal’s situation to Tavares is like comparing apples to bacon.

Lou Lamoriello, Barry Trotz, and ownership know Barzal is one of the key faces of this organization. He is going to be here a very long time.

Once Barzal is signed, Lamoriello will know how much salary he has to move to get under the cap. Some NHL writers such as Arthur Staple believe the Isles already have handshake agreements with Matt Martin and Andy Greene.

Step one is getting Barzal’s salary cap number locked in.

Step 2 – Trade Salary

Odds are Lamoriello will have to move $4.5 million or so to get under the $81.5 million salary cap ceiling. The Isles are currently $3.9 million under the cap and after signing Barzal, Martin, and Greene their magic number that needs to be moved should be around $4.5 million.

Not sure how viable it is to move Andrew Ladd and his $5.5 million cap hit to long-term injury reserve. Ladd did go with the Islanders to the bubble and played in a playoff game, as well as the practices.

That means a salary needs to be moved.

The options are the Isles could trade Johnny Boychuk and his $6 million cap hit or Leo Komarov and his $3 million cap hit and Thomas Hickey and his $2.5 million cap hit.

As yours truly recently wrote in my Isles sweeteners article there are a number of options for Lamoriello when it comes to trades. But make no mistake the price is going to hurt.

Islander fans do not panic, you’re in good hands with Lou Lamoriello.