3 Off-Season Personnel Decisions for the NY Islanders

The NY Islanders didn’t quite reach their expectations coming into the 2023-24 season and will have some off-season decisions to be made regarding personnel within the organization. 

As things stand right now, the Islanders have what is widely considered to be the worst prospect pool in the league. According to Scott Wheeler of The Athletic’s Top 75 Drafted NHL Prospects, the Islanders are without a single player ranked within the top 75 or considered honorable mention. As things stand, the Isles will make a selection in the first round for the first time since 2019 when they selected Simon Holmstrom 23rd overall. There were rumors that Lamoriello had made the Islanders first-round pick available at the trade deadline but nothing ever came to fruition. He may still be willing to dangle that pick again come draft day.

For a team that made back-to-back Semi/Conference Finals a few years ago, the team's core remains intact but some are entering the back 9 of their careers. Anders Lee (34), Brock Nelson (33), Kyle Palmieri (33), and Casey Cizikas (33), were all in the prime of their careers during those runs, but now find themselves growing grey in the beard (if they had beards). 

This roster doesn’t have what it takes to make a deep run anymore. Changes and decisions will need to be made regarding personnel to keep the organization’s winning window open.

Here are three decisions that will need to be made by Lou Lamoriello and co. during the off-season.