Sensing what New York Islanders could do at 2025 trade deadline

The New York Islanders are in a very tough spot heading into this year’s trade deadline. They are close enough to a playoff spot where raising the white flag isn’t an immediate option. Yet, they’re too far away to where going all-in doesn’t quite make sense.

If the Isles were in a wildcard spot, or at least one or two points off, it would make sense to push for pieces that could help the team get over that final hump. But sitting five points away from a postseason berth is far away enough to raise questions about the Isles’ ability to make it.

That is why Islanders’ GM Lou Lamoriello finds himself in quite the pickle. If he sells off impeding free agents like Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri, he’ll be technically raising the white flag on the season. If he doesn’t, he’ll be telling his team and the fans that the team has a shot to make the playoffs.

But what happens if the Isles don’t make it and fail to capitalize on either Nelson or Palmieri’s value at the moment? It could cost Lamoriello his job. But with Lamoriello’s hermetic approach, it’s virtually impossible to tell what he’s up to unless you have psychic skills.

The Athletic tried to assess what Lamoriello and the Islanders’ front office may be up to. But again, no one can be certain. By the looks of things, the New York Islanders will stand pat at the deadline. Given the lack of chatter and moves, Lamoriello may just be biding his time for someone to knock his socks off in a deal for Nelson and/or Palmieri.

I don’t think that happens. But we will need to see what the Islanders do to capitalize on this year’s trade deadline.

New York Islanders likely to hold onto Nelson and Palmieri

I don’t have any foreknowledge in stating that the Islanders will likely hold onto Palmieri and Nelson this season. In fact, the best time to have traded Brock Nelson was right after the J.T. Miller trade. There was plenty of talk about teams that had missed out on Miller, still looking for a center.

Nelson was the guy. The motivation to land a high-quality center was still there, and teams still had the pieces to make a move. However, the Islanders are still in contention for a playoff spot. So, moving Nelson didn’t make too much sense at the time.

As for Palmieri, there are plenty of teams looking for secondary scoring who could take a chance on the wily vet. Palmieri has had a solid season and could be a good depth addition for any team looking to bolster its top six.

But like Nelson, the Isles would rather hold on to Palmieri and Nelson despite the impending free agent status. If the Islanders do hold onto Nelson or Palmieri, the Isles had better be sure they can sign both of them this offseason.

Losing both players for nothing would be catastrophic to the team’s long-term outlook. But then again, the Isles gain cap space and don’t potentially take on any bad contracts. Nevertheless, the Islanders must do something lest they risk missing an opportunity to retool and reload the roster.