The Sound of Silence isn't just a terrific Simon and Garfunkel song, covered brilliantly by Disturbed's David Draimand. It's also the noise echoing from New York Islanders' upper management. Monday marked four weeks since the Islanders players spoke with us following their first-round exit. But general manager Lou Lamoriello did not talk. Neither did head coach Lane Lambert. It's an action that has provided more questions than answers...and more downtime. Ask The Maven: Fischler Shares Greatest Game He's Ever Seen Live After these four weeks, the organization's silence has turned into something of a static noise, with changes, at least management-wise, likely not the route ownership takes this summer. It was always the belief that Lamoriello needed a new contract by New York come season's end. So, the silence made sense as the hold-up could have been ownership deciding on the future of Lamoriello on Long Island. Lamoriello had done some magnificent things since coming aboard in 2018, hiring Barry Trotz, now former head coach and soon-to-be general manager of the Nashiville Predators, who got this group to back-to-back semi-finals in 2021-22. The 80-year-old general manager locked up his top defense pairing long-term at team-friendly deals, gave and got signatures on eight-year extensions to Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat, brought in a rock-solid young defenseman in Alexander Romanov, and ultimately made the moves that got Vezina finalist Ilya Sorokin to Long Island. He's also been extremely loyal to a group that may have run out of gas, but certain contracts on the books may get in the way of the Islanders improving their roster. It's a decision ownership could not take lightly, given Lamoriello's Hall of Fame resume and the options available to fill the role. Any managerial decision would heavily impact the decision to retain Lambert, so, again rather understandable why the two didn't speak when the players did. However, on May 14, Newsday's Andrew Gross [https://www.newsday.com/sports/columnists/andrew-gross/islanders-lamoriello-hjr9l3lk] reported that the Islanders were offering Lamoriello an extension and that the belief was Lambert would be returning as well. Although Lamoriello could have, (could still) fired Lambert after just one season contractually, it's rather unlikely that Lambert was a lame-duck coach, so he likely still has at least a year or two left. But that didn't mean that the team felt obligated for that to be publically announced since that's not how Lamoriello does business. But maybe there's more to the quietness. On May 19, Toronto Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan decided to part ways with Kyle Dubas. The 37-year-old general manager had taken over for Lamoriello in 2018 after winning the Calder Cup as GM of the Toronto Marlies. He worked under Lou for three seasons, and they seem to have a good relationship. Shortly after the Dubas firing, a crazy situation, The Athletic's Kevin Kurz [https://theathletic.com/4535423/2023/05/19/islanders-general-manager-lou-lamoriello-kyle-dubas/] recalled when we were up in Toronto towards the end of January, Lamoriello and Dubas were sitting in the seats of the ScotiaBank Center, chatting and watching both morning skates. It's been 12 days since Dubas was fired, and while it seemed that all signs pointed to him taking the Pittsburgh Penguins GM vacancy, there's been talks that the Ottawa Senators could be in the mix as well and that nothing has been signed in stone anywhere. While there's a slim chance Dubas ends up on Long Island, it can't be ruled out. But the likelihood is that Lamoriello isn't going to address the media until he has something to address. And one thing he will never address is his contract. Last offseason, Lamoriello did speak, but that was to announce the firing of Trotz and the appointment of Lambert to the position. People seem to have come to terms with the assessment that Lamoriello is back, so now it's about the next change if there is one. We just saw Trotz and David Poile in Nashville fire John Hynes on Tuesday, replacing him with an inaugural Predator Andrew Brunette. That move made sense as Trotz, who takes over July 1, should have the right to choose his own coach. There were some complaints by Twitter mainstays regarding Trotz and "How could he fire someone after jobs have been filled?" but we haven't even started the Stanley Cup Finals yet, and we don't know behind the scenes how long Hynes knew this was coming. It would be rather shocking to see Lamoriello follow suit. Not because firing coaches is something Lamoriello doesn't do -- because he has done it often -- but there's just that feeling here that Lambert is safe. And there's only one way to know for sure, and that's press conferences. Now, if there's nothing to report, what's the point of a press conference that will be full of clichés? Some cliché answers speak volumes. It's one thing to not get an answer to a question you want. It's another thing to not ask a question entirely, ones that need asking, and right now, we can't ask questions. Someone once told me that even if John Tortorella, the current head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers, says nothing during a press conference, there were still takeaways. Now, Lamoriello and Lambert don't have the Tortorella-esque makeup. But even basic answers are answers. The Islanders have a lot of decisions to make personnel-wise, with a handful of pending UFA free agents whose roles with the organization are unclear. The Islanders also have to decide first what the future holds for Josh Bailey and the fourth-line makeup, given the need for cap space to bring back certain players. We are under a month away from the 2023 NHL Draft (June 28) and just over a month away from the start of free agency. From my limited experience, Lamoriello will talk to the media before the first night of the draft and then at the conclusion. So, with static noise now, don't expect a different sound until we head to Nashville for draft festivities.
