New York Islanders: What staying put at the deadline means

The NHL trade deadline has come and gone and the New York Islanders did next to nothing to change their roster. The Isles decided to say put and throw caution into the wind. Here is what that means.

For years now the NHL trade deadline meant nothing to the New York Islanders and their fans because it just became the normal feeling that old General Manager Garth Snow would do next to nothing to make the team better or even worse for that matter. So when Lou Lamoriello took over, the deadline was a date that became interesting once again.

However, the first deadline during the Lou era became interesting for a different reason. By doing nothing, Lou did something. He has put all faith in the talent he has right now and has decided to ride or die with the team currently in first place.

While a bonafide splash would have made sense, like wing help, a Mark Stone or an Artemi Panarin, you know the names by now, having nothing almost feels okay. The Islanders decided to not even patch up needs with random players no one else inquired about like Snow use to do.

They literally did nothing at the deadline. From this point on, they can only help themselves from within and other circumstances they cannot control. They need to get creative with call-ups and line shuffling if they stagnate on offense.

So, while it does feel discouraging that the Isles did nothing, the show goes on. The Islanders are in great shape to make the playoffs and we finally know how Lou truly feels about the moves he made this offseason and the team he inherited.

Here is a deeper look at what staying put at the deadline means.