New York Islanders: Three reasons why the Isles can make the playoffs this year

Whatever it takes

We all know how brilliant the Isles’ current GM has been over a long career. However, there is one specific thing that he is not afraid to do that can help the Isles return to the playoffs, get better in the middle of the season.

Last year, in case you have not noticed a running theme here, the Isles were in the playoffs for a while. At the trade deadline, they were still in it to an extent.

Had Garth Snow made an actual move to get better and bolster the team needs at the time, they could have perhaps made a run for it.

But, without harping on it too much, Snow was afraid to do anything more than patch up quick needs and not get truly better, just look minimally different.

Now, that is not the case. Lou Lamoriello will do whatever he needs to do to help this team be better. If the Isles are bad, which is unlikely at the deadline, he will focus on the future.

But, if the Isles are in the thick of things, he will make moves to help them be better and get into the playoffs.

Even if Lou does stay conservative about things, he cannot possibly do less a the trade deadline than Snow did.

That is already an instant upgrade and a super important one. Reading the writing on the wall is imperative in a long season on how to finish it out. Lou will do that and it will help the Isles get back to the playoffs.

With all the swooping changes, things already feel better with the Isles’ culture. As the season progresses, there will be even more things that show why they can make the playoffs again.

However, right now, just the offseason moves alone, and the typical things the new people come with, is enough to convince some people this team can return to the playoffs, no matter what most people think.