Islanders News: Lamoriello speaks on ‘impossible’ offseason decisions to come

3 years ago  /  Lighthouse Hockey  /  Read Time: 25 seconds

Next training camp will look different. | Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images


Yesterday it was Lou Lamoriello’s turn to discuss what’s next, and he acknowledged keeping the whole core intact is “impossible.” New York Islanders general manager knows it’s a tricky offseason ahead, with a flat salary cap, expansion draft, some overages (Andy Greene’s performance bonus carryover) key UFAs (Casey Cizikas, Kyle Palmieri in a dream world), RFAs (Pelech-Sorokin-Beauvillier) and some unused players (Ladd, Hickey) taking up nearly 10% of the cap,
They’re tough decisions, he says, but he’d rather have those than no decisions at all.
Islanders News
Yesterday it was Lamoriello’s turn to address media and discuss the season that was and, more extensively, the offseason to come. Here’s full audio:


Here’s the official site overview of what was said, including some health updates (Anders Lee and J-G Pageau will be ready after surgeries) and some heartfelt words about what the players and families went through to reach two final fours amid a pandemic. [Isles]
The Isles have several options on how to navigate an “impossible” situation of retaining as much of their core as possible, but one thing they should prioritize is attaining flexibility and affordable depth Trotz can trust when it matters. [LHH]
Arthur Staple covers the key topics in Lamoriello’s presser. [Athletic]
More on the depth point: Pageau’s injury, which he played through, was a turning point in the Islanders’ failure to get past the Lightning. [Empire Sports]
Lou wants to re-sign Casey Cizikas and Kyle Palmieri “if possible,” but knows it will be dicey and would have to happen after they hit free agency due to expansion draft concerns. [NHL | AM NY]
Elliotte Friedman weighs in on the offseason in Thought #22 (and a few others) that the Isles’ decision-making will begin with the Adam Pelech contract. [31 Thoughts]
Related to the Pageau injury: Trotz on why Oliver Wahlstrom stayed in the pressbox. [Newsday]
Another bit of (now confirmed, basically) news: The Isles will start with a long road trip rather than resuscitate the Coliseum yet again. [LHH] Preseason home games will be in Bridgeport. [CT Post]
Lou says thank you in a letter to fans. [Isles | Newsday]
Tim Connolly reflects on his injury-shortened career, says at 40 he’s at peace with how things went. [Syracuse]

Elsewhere
Robin Lehner brings the class and the humor again:


We knew where it was going. Great season partner! congrats on this amazing achievement. Truly deserve it There was some magic to that sword ehh @walsha ? ❤️ pic.twitter.com/GFyPIlSIB5— Robin Lehner (@RobinLehner) June 30, 2021




The NHL announced the rest of its major awards: Fleury’s first Vezina | McDavid’s unanimous Hart | McDavid also won the Ted Lindsay, via vote of his peers | The Norris goes to...Adam Fox? | Kirill Kaprizov wins the Calder
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins signed an eight-year, $41 million extension. It’s full length for a little less in salary: a theme of our flat-cap times. [NHL | Copper n Blue]
The NHL announced the television plans for the Expansion Draft and the Entry Draft in July. New rights holder ESPN will carry coverage in the U.S. [NHL]
Speaking of which, ESPN announced its very extensive team, including a lot of in-house talent and external additions with Islanders connections. (Hilariously, their impressive but historically dubious hype video acted like Mark Messier would be a big deal, when you know he’s just going to be a “Guy Who Won and Knows About Winning.” ) [ESPN]
Here’s how they put the team together. Gary Thorne’s agent knows where to find them. [Athletic]
Oilers fans are already preparing for how Ken Holland may fumble the expansion draft. [Copper n Blue]
The Leafs re-signed Wayne Simmonds to a two-year deal for $1.8 million per. [NHL | PPP]
The Sabres removed the interim tag from Don Granato, their new head coach. [Die By The Blade]
It’s become increasingly apparent that the Blackhawks brass declined to do much, possibly anything at all, when two players brought forward sexual assault allegations about a video coach back in 2010. Elliotte Friedman opens 31 Thoughts to say this isn’t simply going to blow over. Second City Hockey says fire them all. Arctic Ice Hockey notes a Jets connection to the case, and says the silence speaks volumes.
NHL participation in the next Olympics remains a “work in progress.” [NHL]
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