Thomas Hickey talks Lou Lamoriello's approach ahead of NY Islanders trade deadline

There are some teams in the Eastern Conference already starting to sell off pieces.

The New York Islanders aren't one of them. Following their 4-0 loss to the New York Rangers on Monday night at MSG, GM Lou Lamoriello's team is looking every bit like a team that is destined to miss the playoffs, but the question is, has Lamoriello come to that conclusion?

"I think Lou Lamorello uses his time," said MSG analyst Thomas Hickey on The Steve Dangle Podcast. One of his sayings is, 'If you have time, you use it and I think his decisions get made probably on Tuesday. They [The Islanders] have a back-to-back ... what does that picture look like then? And then he'll squeeze out every little bit of time that he can and maybe realize that other teams have decided to sell."

Hickey specifically called out the Washington Capitals, who, two seasons ago, when in striking distance of a playoff spot, decided to start selling off pieces. Now, they're atop the Eastern Conference following an on-the-fly retool that is the envy of the league. “It worked out quite well for them, and maybe it was more beneficial than squeezing into the playoffs. I think every ownership group and management group is going to weigh that up."

Hickey added that in addition to Brock Nelson, who would be one of the top trade targets around the league, the Islanders have other players, such as Kylie Palmieri and others that could generate attention of Lamoriello comes to the same conclusion the majority of the fanbase has come to.

"Lamoriello has done more trade deadlines than any General Manager and he's got his own way of doing things so we'll where he goes," added Hickey. "Brock Nelson could remain a New York Islander but they also have other pieces with expiring contracts or with a year left that would be enticing."