Islanders In January & February Last season, the New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/new-york-islanders-2024-nhl-trade-deadline-hanifin-chychrun-brannstrom-tanev] didn't wait for the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline to make a splash, going out and getting one of the top pending unrestricted free agents in Bo Horvat [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/bo-horvat-new-york-islanders-mathew-barzal-beauvillier-raty-anders-lee-2023-24] from the Vancouver Canucks. After a miserable January going 3-8-3, where the offense went desert dry, Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello brought in an offensive weapon and a piece to play alongside face-of-the-franchise Mathew Barzal [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/barzal-islanders-are-building-a-blueprint-for-a-championship-under-roy], who had inked an eight-year extension before the start of the season. Before even stepping foot on the practice sheet, Horvat signed an eight-year extension worth $68 million. Lamoriello also acquired depth winger Pierre Engvall [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/pierre-engvall-new-york-islanders-contract-extension-free-agent-brock-nelson-kyle-palmieri], who solidified himself as the missing puzzle piece for Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri, one of the best lines in hockey down the stretch and in the postseason. He signed a seven-year extension worth $21 million on July 1. Although the Horvat move didn't work out the way everyone planned initially, with Barzal suffering a regular-season-ending injury six games later and Horvat struggling in his absence, the move made sense at the time and has paid dividends this season. While the Islanders find themselves in a similar situation to last season, hiring Patrick Roy [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/mathew-barzal-patrick-roy-new-york-islanders-lane-lambert]does change things for Lamoriello. Lamoriello will always look for ways to bolster his club, but in a month or so, the Islanders could be out of a playoff spot with a slim chance of getting in. So, why wait until March 8 to bolster the club when a season-saving move may be available right now? But what about teams that want to hold onto their players until the deadline to maximize value with multiple teams bidding, which drives up the price? Look, the Calgary Flames just traded Elias Lindholm to the Vancouver Canucks for picks and prospects, with NHL insider sharing that no other believed they could beat what the Canucks were willing to send back in return. Everyone has a price. We discussed Thursday morning how the lack of top-tier prospects impacts the Islanders' ability to outbid other teams. We've also discussed some options for the Islanders to strengthen their defense. Yes, the blue line is banged up, but even when fully healthy, they struggled. No one knows when they will be fully healthy, assuming that no one else gets hurt, and no one knows if a deep defense on paper can master Roy's system. Again, why wait? Roy's defensive system is specific. It needs players who can possess the puck, understand where to be in all three zones, and work as a five-man unit. Certain players have grasped that concept immediately, while others have struggled. Because Roy is not an interim coach and is under contract at least through next season, Lamoriello will likely look to get the Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender the pieces he thinks can play the new system to a tee. Does that mean parting ways with some players on the roster? It certainly could. Whether Lamoriello decides to make trades over the next 48 hours or before the deadline, it's unlikely that he would only sell because the Islanders are within striking distance. But that doesn't mean he can't buy and sell and alter the roster. There's been a lot of talk regarding selling Brock Nelson, who will likely score 35-plus goals for a third straight season despite being in his age-32 season. While he does hold the most value amongst moveable assets, it would be the beginning of selling off veterans. Nelson could get the Islanders a first-round pick, while Kyle Palmieri, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, and Anders Lee could fetch seconds; those picks would be at least a few years away from even stepping foot on an NHL rink. It's not like the Islanders will or can go into a rebuild, with Barzal, Horvat, and Sorokin locked up to eight years each, Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock signed through 2028-29, and Noah Dobson on his way to an eight-year extension. Moving the veterans mentioned above would be a retool, but it doesn't allow the Islanders to be better in the short term unless those picks are flipped for NHL-ready assets. If you are a fan thinking about the future, it's understandable, but Roy was brought in to win now, not in five seasons. And if the Islanders aren't going to win this season, getting players on the roster with half a season to learn Roy's ways gives the Islanders the best chance at a strong start and strong season in 2024-25. TOP STORIES
