New York Islanders: What staying put at the deadline means
Big picture, people, big picture.
While being in first place on February 25th is not an easy thing to do and maintaining it is even harder, that does not mean Lou Lamoriello has lost sight of the big picture for the Islanders. Lou’s speciality isn’t to stop here and throw everything out the window just to win one Cup. His Hall of Fame career is resume is built on long, sustainable winning.
Right now, I understand that might be difficult for fans to hear because they are in first and things have been torturous for almost two decades, but the Isles are not about to be the exception to Lou’s rule, they are the rule.
This deadline showed the Isles have bigger plans this season while also not giving up on this season. They see what they have is working so kept it. But, the other side to not gaining talent right now is keeping young talent and keeping draft picks. That is also what the Islanders have done. You could argue they didn’t do nothing, they kept all future assets.
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Lou is trying to build a multi-year plan to build a dynasty. That is what the Isles are about as well, it’s symbolic. They have never won a Stanley Cup that wasn’t four in a row.
The Islanders are trying to build around players like Mathew Barzal, maybe even Devon Toews. Kieffer Bellows is out there in the system, Oliver Wahlstrom too. Things might seem gloomy for Barzal right now, who essentially has no wing help, however, maybe that is what Lou is trying to keep in the system of get this offseason.
The Islanders are in it to win it right now. That is why they didn’t change or ruin their chemistry. New guys being thrust into the lineup after returning from injury, like Andrew Ladd and Thomas Hickey have been here and around the team.
Also, the Islanders are in it for the long haul, meaning they like what they have at every level and don’t to lose it. This season was their opportunity to trade Joshua Ho-Sang, they didn’t even do that.
This is not a one year build to maybe get a Stanley Cup right now and lose it all. This is a slow burn to probably get one in the future. Plus, let’s not forget how many different ways there are to get better in the offseason.
Give Lou time, draft picks, and money to spend. The poor guy already inherited the mess Garth Snow left behind and he still didn’t change much. The future is bright while still being a first place team. That is wonderful.