In 2009, current New York Islanders’ President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Lou Lamoriello was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame. He was a legend in college hockey as the coach of Providence College, a 3-time Stanley Cup Champion while running the New Jersey Devils and a respected elder statesman building the Toronto Maple Leafs alongside Brendan Shanahan. He arrived on Long Island in 2018, and the Islanders immediately made the playoffs 3 straight years including two trips to the NHL’s final four.
All of that to say, if any local General Manager deserves to take a summer off, it’s Lou. He’s earned it. However, it remains to be seen if his relaxing summer will leave Patrick Roy with enough talent to make it back to the playoffs in Roy’s first full season behind the bench.
KEY OFF-SEASON ACQUISITIONS
Anthony Duclair
Maxim Tsyplakov
Duclair has the speed, skill and bite in his game to warrant some excitement about his arrival. However, that must be tempered by the fact that he was given a 4-year contract despite joining his 9th team in 10 years. Tsyplakov is an undrafted 25-year-old free agent who exploded for 31 goals last season playing for the Moscow Spartak in the KHL.
KEY OFF-SEASON DEPARTURES
Sebastian Aho
Cal Clutterbuck
Matt Martin
Aho signed with Pittsburgh, though it is important to remind you that this is the former Islanders bottom pair defensemen and not the Hurricane’s star center. Long-time “Identity Line” mates Cal Clutterbuck (36) and Matt Martin (35) are currently unsigned. It’s possible they are contemplating retirement, but the less we hear, the more likely it is that Lou just wanted to wait until his summer vacation was over to fit them in under the cap.
FINAL ANALYSIS
IF the Islanders were run by a less accomplished GM, a failing grade would be in order. However, we’re going to give the Hall of Fame GM the benefit of the doubt.
GRADE D+
“Islanders – Grading the Off-Season” is the first in a series prior to the start of hockey and basketball training camps. Keep an eye out for the Devils, Rangers, Knicks and Nets summer report cards coming soon to SRNY.
