Lou Lamoriello Half Measures Frustrates NY Islanders Fans Ready For Bigger Changes

After GM Lou Lamoriello traded Brock Nelson after the lifelong Islander reportedly rejected a three-year contract extension, fans thought it signaled the start of the long-discussed and debated re-tool.

Instead, the day after the deadline, it feels more like a reluctant half-measure from a GM who preferred running things back over facing the reality that the team he's assembled isn't good enough to contend for a Stanley Cup. Rather than the Nelson move signaling that the Isles were open for business, not only for Kyle Palmieri, but JG Pageau, and even Anders Lee, two players with high value in a seller's market, Lamorielllo chose to ensure the team doesn't bottom-out with the opportunity to replace Nelson's scoring production over the summer - perhaps with Nelson himself.

Lamoriello has always been loyal to his players, and how he treats them has been a big part of the culture he has built on Long Island and elsewhere throughout his HOF executive career. Yet, non-action when the moment calls for it leaves fans wondering if he's loyal to a fault. Rather than trade Palmieri, there were reports of an extension that was discussed but not signed. Everyone expects that to be more of a matter of when than if, but it is curious that the two sides couldn't come to terms and are willing to play things out in the coming months.

There's a case to be made that the Islanders' roster is better than their record indicates. Mathew Barzal played in only 30 games, and Anthony Duclair, their big off-season addition, has never gotten on track after suffering a groin injury early in the season. Ilya Sorokin has been dominant in stretches and very average for others, as he had to be a workhorse beyond expectations with the injuries to Semyon Varlamov and, later, Marcus Hogberg. Defensemen Noah Dobson, Ryan Pulock, Adam Pelech, and others have also missed time on the blueline.

We'll wait to see whether more drastic moves come during the summer, the same way we've waited the past three summers, but as currently constructed, the Islanders appear to be banking on Lee, Palmieri, Pageau and others repeating their 2024-25 performances and getting more contributions from players that had down seasons this year.

There are different perspectives on the Islanders' outlook, but it feels that the majority of fans are more ready for big changes, then the man who is running the organization.