NY Islanders: Lou Lamoriello talks Parise, Schneider, and Bailey ahead of NHL Draft

New York Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello met with members of the media on Tuesday in Nashville ahead of the first round of the NHL Draft on Wednesday night. On a day where there were several trades announced, including the New Jersey Devils acquiring Tyler Toffoli from the Calgary Flames for Yegor Sharangovich and a 2023 third-round pick, the Isles had more modest updates.

We'll see if the Islanders are busier than expected this off-season, but Lamoriello indicated that fans should not expect him to make a move into the first round. Rather, the Islanders will likely stand pay and first be on clock at No. 49 and then see how the draft unfolds after the third round when they have four picks in rounds 4-7.

Lamoriello said that 38-year-old UFA Zach Parise, who scored 21 goals last season and played in all 82 games, has yet to make a decision about his future. If he were to decide to play another season in the NHL, Parise indicated back in May that it would be on Long Island or nowhere else. As he's still being paid by the Minnesota Wild following his buyout in 2021, he'd likely remain at the league minimum for the Isles providing great value and creating needed cap flexibility that can be used elsewhere.

The most surprising announcement from Lamoriello was that goaltender Cory Schneider, who has been a mainstay in Bridgeport and occasional emergency call-up over the last few seasons, is likely to play in Europe next season. Schneider went 19-11-3 with a 2.94 GAA in the AHL last season. With 2021 third-round pick Tristan Lennox expected to play at Bridgeport this season, perhaps playing time is the primary factor for the veteran goaltender.

Meanwhile, there was no update on the status of Josh Bailey with the buyout window deadline approaching. The longest-tenured Islander has one year remaining on his contract with a cap hit of it $5M AAV. Lamoriello also noted that prized goaltending coach Mitch Korn would be back, but there were no announcements to make on the fate of the other assistant coaches from last season.