Lou Lamoriello's five best moves in his 5 years as NY Islanders GM

Trading for JG Pageau

At the trade deadline a year earlier in 2019, Lamoriello chose to “stay pat” and not make a move to improve an Islanders team that would finish with 102 points and earn home ice in the playoffs for the first time in over 30 years. In 2020, the Isles once again appeared playoff bound, but this time Lamoriello pulled the trigger by acquiring center JG Pageau from the Ottawa Senators. 

Pageau, who was in the midst of a breakout offensive season, signed a six-year contract extension soon after the deal was announced. The Islanders struggled in the game immediately following the trade and were reeling when the season was suspended in March due to COVID-19. However, once play resumed in the Toronto bubble, Pageau proved himself to be a playoff performer in 2020 and 2021 while serving as a versatile player that can do a little of everything to help you win hockey games throughout the regular season.