Islanders Backcheck: From Playoff Exit to Final Interviews

Catch up on the latest New York Islanders news and storylines every Sunday as we review the week that was. 

We can't change the results nor the penalties, but New York Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello can change his lineup. And the league can change how infractions are called. But how?

With the Islanders season in the books, with evaluations likely underway as your eyes read these words, let's take a look at the organization's cap situation and pending free agents (before Fasching contract)

Hudson Fasching found a home with the New York Islanders this season and he's here to stay, inking a two-year extension.

Josh Bailey, the longest-tenured New York Islander, discussed his season, with his future with the organization anything but certain despite having one year left on his contract.

This is a likeable crew, these Nassaumen, writes Fischler. Anyone who's been around them long enough realizes that there's a genuine camaraderie shared from top liners to the bottom trio.

Islanders forward Zach Parise opened up about where his mind was at in terms of his future while his teammates shared how important he was to their group.

While the Islanders did get healthy, one player never made it back. That was Oliver Wahlstrom. He discussed his season-ending injury and his continued recovery.

Carrying over from our Josh Bailey conversation from Monday, Stan Fischler gives his thoughts on the situation as he's covered Bailey's career since the beginning. 

Islanders forward Mathew Barzal wants to not have to sneak into the playoffs every year. He spoke on youngsters he thinks will play critical roles in changing that going forward.

Islanders forward Bo Horvat would be the first to tell you that he certainly had more to give after the Vancouver Canucks traded him to Long Island. But he did open up on the mental toll the trade took on him and his family, something he is still dealing with.

The focus for this day was on the Islanders netminders, one who is looking for a new contract as a pending unrestricted free agent while the other is eligible for a long-term extension.

Ilya Sorokin spoke on potentially being a Vezina finalist, how he felt this season went, and what happened in overtime of Game Six.

Regarding Semyon Varlamov, he can get starter money elsewhere but wants to remain with the Islanders. Sorokin wants him back as well, as they have become close friends over the last few years.

Over the entire campaign, Stan's first favorite Islanders player is Ilya Sorokin; and z don't have to tell you why. But I will tell you this; you won't find a goalkeeper in the NHL who matches Sorokin's athleticism.

It was a Scott Mayfield day, as he is a pending unrestricted free agent. He spoke about his future during his exit interview, as he is at the crossroads. Return to the Islanders on a team-friendly deal or join a new squad at a salary he believes he deserves after being on a bargain deal over the last five years?

Although the Islanders adding Alexander Romanov at last year's draft was likely a move to just get younger on the backend, he plays a Mayfield style, which should help New York handle his potential departure. 

The New York Islanders lockers have been cleaned out, the players have completed their post-season interviews, and management is huddling over ways and means to improve for next season. For The Maven, this is a time to exhale and reminisce about the happy times of the season gone by.

"I started my career shooting New York Islanders games at the Coliseum in the 1974-75 season. That was more than 6,000 games ago! Three of my all-time favorite shots featured the Islanders."

The Islanders have still not made GM Lou Lamoriello or head coach Lane Lambert available to the media, now eight days after being eliminated. There's only so many ways this hold-up can go.