Roster/Rumors/Speculation/Trade Talk - 2024-25: Re-Tool, Re-Group, Re-Mix, Re-Build

[impaaaaaact]

Welp....was a good try, yet....they really have not played much together so hard to tell. I will give that another season (as in those two playing together). Way to many others we should be moving on from.

I think they played 4 games together and Duclair scored 3 points lol. Speedster with a groin injury is probably not going to perform to his full potential - that being said, he did have a lengthy injury history when we signed him so this is par for the course.

 

[Glorydays22]

Warning Post: Lou’s Deadline Decision​

I’m going to start by saying that I believe Lou should trade both Nelson and Palmieri. However, this post is focused on what Lou will most likely do and why.

Playoffs: The Islanders’ Primary Goal​

Making the playoffs is a major goal for the organization. Whether right or wrong, they believe that if they can just get into the dance, anything can happen.

Culture Over Transactions​

Lou is a culture guy. He’s not the type of GM who views players purely as assets or chess pieces. His decisions are largely influenced by how they align with a winning culture—one built on resilience, unity, and never giving up.

If the team is within striking distance, he won’t sell.

PLAYOFF RACE is a STEEP CLIMB!

Metropolitan Division Standings​

• Hurricanes: 62 GP, 74 PTS
• Devils: 62 GP, 72 PTS
• Blue Jackets: 60 GP, 68 PTS
• Rangers: 60 GP, 64 PTS
• Flyers: 61 GP, 62 PTS
• Islanders: 59 GP, 61 PTS

Wild Card Race​

• Blue Jackets: 60 GP, 68 PTS
• Red Wings: 60 GP, 66 PTS
• Senators: 59 GP, 64 PTS
• Rangers: 60 GP, 64 PTS
• Bruins: 62 GP, 64 PTS
• Canadiens: 60 GP, 63 PTS
• Flyers: 61 GP, 62 PTS

There are a lot of teams to leapfrog, and time is running out. Every game is critical. The big question: Can this team sustain a major run, like last season?

A FUN what if scenario!
Let’s say the Islanders take two of their next three games, while the Blue Jackets, Rangers, and Flyers lose their next two.

The standings would look like this:

• Hurricanes: 62 GP, 74 PTS
• Devils: 62 GP, 72 PTS
• Blue Jackets: 62 GP, 68 PTS
• Islanders: 62 GP, 65 PTS
• Rangers: 62 GP, 64 PTS
• Flyers: 63 GP, 62 PTS

That would put the Isles three points behind a playoff spot with 20 games to go—and they still play Columbus twice. Not to mention Ottawa, Detroit, and Montreal seem to be stumbling as of late.

Tonight's game is a DEFINING MOMENT!
IMO, tonight’s game at MSG is the final test in Lou’s eyes. If the Isles walk into hostile territory, make a statement, and win, Lou will likely go all in. In fact, we could see him make a move to bolster the lineup.

It may be as simple as trading a third-round pick for Trent Frederic or a B-level prospect for Michael McCarron to strengthen the bottom six. Or it could be a bolder move that adds firepower to the top six.

Whatever happens, tonight’s game will tell us a lot about where the Isles are headed—and what Lou will do next.

As much as I want to see this team move in another direction - it will be very difficult for me to root against them tonight. Also, Nelson's 900 the game as an Islander.

A good GM can do both (buy & sell) at the same time. If he wants to bring in a young player that can be part of the core, go for it. But Nelson & Parms who will be 34 (parms will be 35 in Feb) at the start of next season respectfully need to go. I don't want to sign and pay them at 37 and 38 yrs old.

 

[Green]

I will never root for this team to lose and I was adamant about starting the re-build 2 years ago before the Horvat trade, but at this point I don't even care anymore, if Lou still thinks this team has a shot in hell, and if this team is serious about trying to squeak into the playoffs than to me they HAVE to get 4 points in these next 2 games, if they don't get a W against the Rangers and Winnipeg, than Lou HAS to try and trade EVERYONE who is over 30, I can't even describe how pissed I will be if they get anything less than 4 points in these next 2 games and Lou does nothing or god forbid is a buyer or maybe makes only 1 or 2 small deals like trading Martin for a 6th rounder or Palmierri for a 3rd rounder, everyone over 30 has to be sold if possible if this team doesn't get 4 points in these next 2 games

 

[periferal]

I will never root for this team to lose and I was adamant about starting the re-build 2 years ago before the Horvat trade, but at this point I don't even care anymore, if Lou still thinks this team has a shot in hell, and if this team is serious about trying to squeak into the playoffs than to me they HAVE to get 4 points in these next 2 games, if they don't get a W against the Rangers and Winnipeg, than Lou HAS to try and trade EVERYONE who is over 30, I can't even describe how pissed I will be if they get anything less than 4 points in these next 2 games and Lou does nothing or god forbid is a buyer or maybe makes only 1 or 2 small deals like trading Martin for a 6th rounder or Palmierri for a 3rd rounder, everyone over 30 has to be sold if possible if this team doesn't get 4 points in these next 2 games

No 2-game stretch should ever be the deciding factor if a GM should "go for it" or sell at the trade deadline.

You think if the Islanders win tonight and tomorrow both 6-0 you think they're getting anywhere near a Cup? Not...Even...Close.

Either you're a contender or your not. And if you're not - Sell.

 

[Green]

No 2-game stretch should ever be the deciding factor if a GM should "go for it" or sell at the trade deadline.

You think if the Islanders win tonight and tomorrow both 6-0 you think they're getting anywhere near a Cup? Not...Even...Close.

Either you're a contender or your not. And if you're not - Sell.

no, but like I said I don't care anymore, I have been adamant about a re-build for a long time, to me these next 2 games are the teams way of saying if we want to stay together and compete for a playoff spot and by some miracle win a cup, if they get 4 points than I think they have a chance of squeaking in the playoffs, if they don't than that is the teams way of saying we are done and Lou better start the re-build at that point

 

[MikeyMike01]

because we know what will happen. Lou will sit on his ass again, not trading Nelson or Palmieri. He'll extend the two again in the summer and add next to nothing while assuring that everything will be fine if we are "healthy". This team yet again experiences more injuries next season but does *just* enough to not get a top 5-10 pick in 2026. This team is in a cycle of mediocrity and i'm tired of this fanbase defending it. Lou has reached his expiration date: move on.

And if Lou does make a trade, good. I want ownership to realize that this team is getting stale, and we need new blood in this lineup.

If I could predict the future with such accuracy, I’d focus more on the Powerball numbers and less on Lou Lamoriello.

 

[periferal]

no, but like I said I don't care anymore, I have been adamant about a re-build for a long time, to me these next 2 games are the teams way of saying if we want to stay together and compete for a playoff spot and by some miracle win a cup, if they get 4 points than I think they have a chance of squeaking in the playoffs, if they don't than that is the teams way of saying we are done and Lou better start the re-build at that point

With respect if you truly "didn't care" you'd probably be off focusing on something else as opposed to posting anything here.

It's probably more like you do care (as I do), but have been so beaten down that it's hard to have hope at this point when you've seen the same thing over and over.

If this team wanted to "stay together" then they should've played better the first 59 games of the season. You know that if they were in a playoff spot as of today that Lou would be adding this week as a result.

Reality is that this team does play hard - They just aren't nearly talented enough. Every single team in a playoff spot right now has a much more talented/deeper lineup than the average roster the Isles are icing each night.

We don't need more character here - We need more top end talent, and that talent needs to be younger (ironically exactly the two qualities we need from our next GM).

If I could predict the future with such accuracy, I’d focus more on the Powerball numbers and less on Lou Lamoriello.

If only Powerball was as predictable as Lou.



*this is not a joke

 

[eoin92]

The problem is, everyone is a young buck compared to Lou. He thinks it’s a good idea to lock up the young Nelson. Not the toddler that’s playing at Notre Dame, the you man who’s been with the islanders for 15 years.

 

[Satan'sIsland81]

No 2-game stretch should ever be the deciding factor if a GM should "go for it" or sell at the trade deadline.

You think if the Islanders win tonight and tomorrow both 6-0 you think they're getting anywhere near a Cup? Not...Even...Close.

Either you're a contender or your not. And if you're not - Sell.

I agree with a lot of what you say usually, but this is an absurd notion. If every "non contender" on paper was a seller, there would be 25 sellers out of 32 teams. A seller is a team that has no shot of getting in the playoffs. Now that is not to say you should be a buyer or that you should not "sell" a piece or two in certain circumstances like an UFA who is definitely going to leave, but to make a blanket statement that if you are not considered to be a cup favorite that you should sell is ridiculous. Before the season started, on paper, Nashville and the Rangers were probably considered contenders and the Capitals and Blue Jackets were considered likely sellers. How did that work out?

 

[periferal]

I agree with a lot of what you say usually, but this is an absurd notion. If every "non contender" on paper was a seller, there would be 25 sellers out of 32 teams. A seller is a team that has no shot of getting in the playoffs. Now that is not to say you should be a buyer or that you should not "sell" a piece or two in certain circumstances like an UFA who is definitely going to leave, but to make a blanket statement that if you are not considered to be a cup favorite that you should sell is ridiculous. Before the season started, on paper, Nashville and the Rangers were probably considered contenders and the Capitals and Blue Jackets were considered likely sellers. How did that work out?

It's a fair point. Every situation should be judged on a case by case basis. And when you look at the Isles as of March 3, 2025, since they need to get younger and more talented even resigning Nelson/Palmieri makes zero sense...

...And especially when you know there are quality, if not great, deals on the table to trade them away.

 

[YearlyLottery]

No 2-game stretch should ever be the deciding factor if a GM should "go for it" or sell at the trade deadline.

You think if the Islanders win tonight and tomorrow both 6-0 you think they're getting anywhere near a Cup? Not...Even...Close.

Either you're a contender or your not. And if you're not - Sell.

Just to add onto this. If the team is good enough to somehow win a Cup Brock Nelson will not be the deciding piece in them missing the playoffs.

 

[MarsTBOW]

Kinda just want this drama to end with Brock, Hairy Palms and the extra D Man....
4 days more

 

[Richie Daggers Crime]

Don't tell people what to do.

I wasn't. I asked him a question.

 

[Zeeker]

Kinda just want this drama to end with Brock, Hairy Palms and the extra D Man....
4 days more

Really? Then what are we gonna talk about?

 

[Throttle]

Really? Then what are we gonna talk about?

That guy Hudson.

 

[periferal]

Kinda just want this drama to end with Brock, Hairy Palms and the extra D Man....
4 days more

Me too...Me too.

I just pray it ends by March 7th and not July 1st.

 

[eoin92]

Maybe the whole, “we’re looking to extend Brock” thing is a decoy to drive his price up. Like, we’re planning to keep him but make us an offer we can’t refuse.