If the NY Islanders don’t sell by the deadline, the fault lies with ownership

While Lamoriello might not want to sell off any assets, it’s in the best interest of the organization and the owner's pockets to make that decision before it’s too late. If Lamoriello does not want to sell, ownership must step in and make a change at General Manager sooner rather than later. 

A rebuild/retool isn’t what anybody hopes for, but there is a time when it makes sense, and this season is the time it makes the most sense. Acquiring young prospects and draft picks isn’t always a home run, but it’s a necessary risk.

The prospect pool is improving with the emergence of Isaiah George - and Cole Eiserman and Danny Nelson in the wings - but outside of that, there isn’t too much to be excited about. 

The prospect pool could be restocked quickly with the right moves this season and could bring the Islanders into the league's upper echelon in terms of prospects. 

But that doesn’t happen unless giving something up in return - and that must happen by the deadline.