NY Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello discusses Maxim Tsyplakov, Oliver Wahlstrom, and more

The 2024 NHL Draft is in the books with the NY Islanders making six selections, including Cole Eiserman in the first round.

As the draft ended, Lou Lamoriello spoke with the media regarding several things surrounding the organization.

First, Doug Houda will not be back with the Islanders next season. Houda was in charge of the league's worst penalty kill, with only a 71.5% success rate, after coming off a successful season in 2022-23, when the Islanders ranked second at 82.2%. According to Ethan Sears of the New York Post, a replacement will be named on Monday. John MacLean and Benoit Desrosiers will be back behind the bench next season.

Maxim Tsyplakov was considered the top European free agent, signed with the Islanders on May 16, agreeing to a one-year entry-level contract. It appears as if he has every opportunity to make the NHL roster, as Lamoriello stated today that he did not sign Tsyplakov to play in Bridgeport.

#Isles Lou Lamoriello says still not determined whether he will re-sign any of his UFAs before market opens on Monday. But it sounds like both Cal Clutterbuck and Matt Martin will hit free agency. There have been discussions between their camps and Lou.
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) June 29, 2024

With free agency set to begin on Monday, the Islanders have some decisions to make regarding their own players whose contracts are set to expire. RFA's must be qualified by tomorrow, with Oliver Wahlstrom remaining as the Islanders' biggest question mark. Lamoriello won't let Wahlstrom walk for nothing, stating that he'll qualify the 24-year-old, but could move him, allowing for a fresh start with another organization.

Wahlstrom played 32 games this season scoring 2 goals and adding 4 assists, after missing most of the 2022-23 season due to a torn ACL. A winger which the organization held in high regard hasn't panned out and a fresh start elsewhere may be in the best interest of both sides.

Last summer, on the first day he was eligible, Lamoriello signed Ilya Sorokin to an 8-year extension. This year, the two big names eligible for an extension are Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri. Lamoriello does not feel as if this is a priority at this time, and it appears a decision on the two will be made at a later time.

Nelson and Palmieri could both be massive trade chips if the Islanders elect to move them before the end of the season.

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