News Islanders Team Notes

[New York Islanders]

Islanders Gameday News: Stumbling toward the deadline

The future is blurry. | Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Also: Noah Dobson is the latest blueliner to return to the lineup.

The Islanders drag a four-game regulation loss streak to Boston, one of theoretical competitors for the theoretical wild card spots, with a week to go before the NHL trade deadline. They’ll get another healthy blueliner back, as Noah Dobson is ready to go.

But eyes around the league continue to be on what the team’s management will do, knowing that center Brock Nelson is a top pending UFA trade target.

First Islanders Goal picks go here.

Islanders News​

• The Isles players say they know what the trade deadline situation is, but aren’t letting their thoughts dwell to an area only Lou controls like follicles. [Isles]
• Patrick Roy had a Stop Practice moment, trying to ignite some fire and swagger. [Newsday | Post | THN]
• He also had a more gentle message for Ilya Sorokin. [THN]
• Previewing tonight: A one-off visit to a fellow desperate team. [Isles]
• Noah Dobson is set to return after missing 11 games. The squeeze on the emergency additions continues. [Isles]
• Talkin’ Isles gets Cal Clutterbuck to recall his draft day, his trade to the Islanders, and pet peeves about pal Casey Cizikas. [Isles]
• The Skinny on last time: Bad, bad loss to the Rangers. [Isles]

Elsewhere​

Only three games last night, with the Senators losing to the Jets in the battle of teams Canada forgot.

• A casualty from late in the Isles-Smurfs game: Adam Fox is now on IR. [Post]
• Saturday’s outdoor game is expected to have the second-largest crowd in NHL history. [TSN]
• The NHL trade deadline and which teams are open for business, according to Nick Kypreos. [Sportsnet]
• If the Leafs want Brayden Schenn — who unlike Brock Nelson, is not a pending UFA and also has a NTC — the price will not be cheap. [TSN]

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2025/2/27/24374113/islanders-gameday-news-bruins-trade-deadline

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders 2, Bruins 1: Sorokin bounces back, Isles hang on

Where the action was. | Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Noah Dobson returns healthy as the Isles sort out a crowded blueline.

The Islanders tiptoed into Boston and walked away with two points from a regulation win, ending a four-game regulation losing streak as their backbone Ilya Sorokin returned to his January-early February form.

Sorokin stopped 38 of 39 shots, the only goal allowed deflecting in off his own defenseman’s stick, frustrating the Bruins from the first period to the final whistle. Kyle Palmieri’s second-period goal stood up as the winner.

With the win...nothing changes, really. They’re still closer to the bottom of the conference (six points ahead of Buffalo) than they are to the wild card (seven points back of Detroit and Columbus).

[NHL Gamecenter | Game Summary | Event Summary | Natural Stat Trick]

It’s no coincidence that when Sorokin is lights out, the Islanders are in the win column even when their opponent controls play, and when he’s mortal or average, they’re having difficulty. But Patrick Roy did say they worked on not blocking Sorokin’s view, as traffic and deflections were a big factor on several of the goals allowed the other night against the Rangers.

And up 2-0, they had several chances to expand their lead, including a great opportunity for Hudson Fasching on a setup from J-G Pageau. The failure to cash in made it feel like the Bruins might finally get the equalizer again, but not tonight.

In addition to Fasching, they also welcomed back Noah Dobson from injury. He logged 18:54. That’s forcing some decisions on the blueline; Adam Boqvist remained in as Scott Mayfield was scratched for the second straight. Fellow Scott Perunovich was also scratched after he and Ryan Pulock’s minus-4 the other night. Tony DeAngelo (the author of the own goal while intercepting a low-crease pass) appears to be the lone lock among the three newcomers.

#Isles Noah Dobson on his return to lineup: "I felt pretty good from the start. Obviously, it was just game reps and feeling the pressure, but overall I thought it was pretty good. I just tried to play a pretty simple game."

— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) February 28, 2025​

Here’s Palmieri’s goal, crashing the net for the rebound. You never know when it might be his last in an Isles uniform.

Kyle Palmieri: Another goal to up his trade value pic.twitter.com/sDQgRfMR27

— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) February 28, 2025​

Alex Romanov had the other goal, late in the first, when he joined a rush with J-G Pageau — and this wasn’t just a finish of a 2-on-1, this was a snipe:

Don’t look now but Alex Romanov has goals in back to back games #isles pic.twitter.com/Jadyv4q18o

— Up The Turnpike (@UpTheTurnpike) February 28, 2025​

With Jeremy Swayman pulled for a sixth attacker, the Isles of course never came close to scoring an empty-netter, but the 6-on-5 stretch was just usual, not quite hair-raising pressure. Sorokin was solid during that, but didn’t have to pull off miracles.

Up Next​

If they want to, the Isles could really build off this, as they host the Predators at mid-day on Saturday. Nashville is buried among the West’s three earnest lottery chasers.

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/20...nders-vs-bruins-ilya-sorokin-palmieri-romanov

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders Gameday News: To not catch a Predator

Well, aren’t we both doing just great since we last parted? | Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

The deadline is a week away, and Lou is still talking like your crazy uncle.

The Islanders have three more games before the NHL trade deadline and are on the precipice of some major decisions.

That’s right, we can say that conclusively. Even if Lou Lamoriello remains as tight-lipped on his plans as ever, reaching the deadline without getting assets for his pending UFAs — especially after so many years of dealing first-round picks — is absolutely a major decision. Extending Brock Nelson and/or Kyle Palmieiri would also be major decisions.

My concern is that an aging roster that is only even sniffing the outside of bubble contention when Ilya Sorokin is standing on his head, then otherwise very very bottom-fourth of the league when he’s not, is not a roster that you should be doubling down on. I love Nelson and the fact he’s logged so many games and points in an Islanders uniform and continued to improve his game, but something’s gotta give here, man. We’ve lost enough decent NHLers due to the cap implications of long-term bets on others.

Question: If the Isles extended Nelson long-term but at modest cap hit, while dumping Palmieri and, say, J-G Pageau, would you be satisfied?

Oh, whatever, the Islanders host the Nashville Predators and the best coach (now GM) they’ve had in a couple decades today at 12:30. Lou still thinks the Isles just need to focus on today.

First Islanders Goal picks go here.

Islanders News​

• Lou still hopes this team makes a run, and he still hopes Nelson remains an Islander: “We can’t think about yesterday and we’re not focused on tomorrow. It’s all about tonight.” [Athletic]
• Why Patrick Roy is rating Hudson Fasching and Pierre Engvall over Max Tsyplakov (who will be scratched today) right now. [THN]
• So Fasching will play with Pageau and Cizikas. [Isles]
• Whoa, easy there tiger: “Simon Holmstrom proving he’s a top six forward.” [Newsday]
• Trade interest in Palmieri from L.A.? [THN]
• Takeaways from the win over Boston: “A journey of 1,000 miles starts with the first step.” So...we’re getting philosophical here. [Isles]
• The Skinny: Their first regulation win in Boston since Jack Capuano’s final game as coach, a 4-0 win (before his final pre-game, which was totally different). [Isles]

Elsewhere​

Last night’s NHL scores had just three games, including the Smurfs losing to the Leafs in regulation.

• Craig Berube brought Ryan Reaves out of storage to deal with Matt Rempe. Caveman art exhibit! [Sportsnet]
• The player most likely to be traded for each team: “Beauvillier has been fine for the Penguins, moving up and down the lineup and chipping in with some goals. He’s fast. He plays hard.” [Athletic]
• Johnny Gaudreau’s death hangs over the outdoor game today in Ohio. [NHL]
• Can the Oilers win it all with Stuart Skinner? I mean the name does not impose fear, that’s for sure. [Sportsnet]
• Shock! Oliver Wahlstrom clears waivers. [TSN]
• Rumor roundup: Could Mikko Rantanen be traded again in season? [Sportsnet]

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2025/3/1/24375359/islanders-gameday-news-predators-palmieri-nelson

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders 7 (EN), Predators 4: Sorokin credited with Smith-style goalie goal

Just innocently tending to his business here. | Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Trade candidates Nelson, Palmieri and Pageau also score in an easy afternoon.

When Islanders goalies score goals, they don’t need to shoot themselves; the other team obligingly does that for them.

With 12 seconds left in a 7-4 Islanders win over the Nashville Predators, Ilya Sorokin was credited with the 20th goalie goal in NHL history when Steven Stamkos sent an errant pass back to the point that slid all the way into the empty Predators net. Like Isles legend Billy Smith — the first NHL goalie ever credited with a goal — Sorokin simply made a save, while the opponents did the rest. (Three other former Islanders goalies had goals in their careers, but Chris Osgood, Evgeni Nabakov and Ron Hextall each did it with their previous teams.)

Anyway, there was a game Saturday afternoon, between two teams whose seasons are otherwise to be forgotten. The win temporarily lifts the Islanders to five points behind wild card holders Columbus and Detroit, who will meet outdoors later in the day.

[NHL Gamecenter | Game Summary | Event Summary | Natural Stat Trick]

#Isles Ilya Sorokin jokes he always knew he'd score a goal before #NYR Igor Shesterkin. The joke, of course, is that Shesterkin is a very skilled puck handler and Sorokin is not as good as his BFF

— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) March 1, 2025​

The Islanders came out flying and carried a 3-0 lead into the second period. After a couple of exchanges of goals, it remained a three-goal, 5-2 lead into the third period, which they extended to 6-2 early on a Casey Cizikas goal. Cole Smith closed the gap back to three goals 30 seconds later. With the goalie pulled, the Predators finally got one more back with 1:04 to go, but like Sorokin’s goal it was academic.

On the afternoon, trade candidates Kyle Palmieri, J-G Pageau and Brock Nelson each scored — two for Nelson, including a shorthanded goal off some beautiful work with Simon Holmstrom...

This whole sequence from Brock Nelson and Simon Holmstrom was tremendous. #Isles pic.twitter.com/cMKf2cUyAe

— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) March 1, 2025​

...and a goal that was unsuccessfully challenged for goalie interference. Palmieri definitely clipped Jusse Saros, but the Preds goalie was out of his protected blue paint and Palmieri was just minding his business:

BROCK. NELSON. #LGI | @Ford pic.twitter.com/atljDlFATk

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) March 1, 2025​

Meanwhile, Anthony Duclair sat most of the third period, benched because because Patrick Roy wants more from him in both directions. Hopefully it’s a wake-up call for Duclair as he is still seeking his pre-injury form.

As for Sorokin’s goal, it wasn’t immediately obvious who would get credited, since it was unexpected. But buzz started to build as people realized with the replay that Sorokin’s save was the last touch before Stamkos. Not quite the goalie goal celebration we always envisioned, but something fun to take the sting off the win their stagnant plight.

Up Next​

The trade deadline looms and the standings can be deceiving, particularly to Lou Lamoriello. A back-to-back set with the Rangers and Jets Monday and Tuesday will be the Isles’ last games before the deadline. Nelson stands at 899 regular season games played and 572 points in an Islanders uniform.

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2025/3/1/24375794/islanders-vs-predators-ilya-sorokin-goal

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders Anxiety - Episode 323 - Not Dead Yet

And now let’s go to the guys from Bar Down...

It’s trade deadline week and after three more weird games in a weird season of a weird era, we still have no idea who the Islanders are or what they’ll do.

They started with a home ice faceplant against the Rangers - predicted by Mike - before stealing two points in Boston. Then they beat the Predators - predicted by Dan - which started as a laugher and became oddly tense. The main character in all of them was Ilya Sorokin, who went from being the goat on Tuesday to being an unlikely goalscorer on Saturday, and continues to be an occasionally flaky, mysterious dude who can also be one of the best goalies in the NHL.

In the second half, we look towards the next two games, which might be the true final contests of the Islanders’ regular season. It all depends on how they handle the trade deadline, which at this point is anyone’s guess. They could have a completely different roster when they play in San Jose next Saturday, or be exactly the same after sitting the deadline out and keeping everyone.

It’s a strange spot to be in - and totally inline with how this version of the Islanders conducts its business. At least we know what the professional liars will say either way. That’s all we’ve got.

REFERENCES

• Here’s a bunch of names of guys who might be traded this week. Who the hell knows?

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• Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion.
• Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN).

Theme song: “Morning Haze” by Family Dinner. Hear more of their music on Spotify.

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Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/20...line-ilya-sorokin-goalie-goal-nelson-palmieri

 

[New York Islanders]

Rangers 4 (EN), Islanders 0: Habitually not enough

Sure. | Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

If you can’t even be competitive against a rival that’s trying to tank...

The New York Islanders, holding on to a “good effort” moral victory after losing to their biggest rival last week at home, somehow came out for the return leg and got shutout on 21 shots.

Surely, finally, after a 4-0 loss to the Rangers this franchise will face the reality of where they are heading into this week’s trade deadline? Surely their direction won’t hang on whether they bounce back Tuesday night against the NHL-leading Jets? Surely five points and six teams back of the second wild card position is enough?

[NHL Gamecenter | Game Summary | Event Summary | Natural Stat Trick]

#Isles Patrick Roy: "I don't know if I'm disappointed with the effort. I would be disappointed more with the result. I thought both teams were playing pretty much the same after 40 minutes of play. Not many chances on both sides and they had the bounce and we didn't."

— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) March 4, 2025​

Yeah, the game was closer than 4-0, maybe. The Isles had a goal called off on a coach’s challenge for Casey Cizikas (again?!) being offside long before the zone entry. Shots and chances were low on both sides. The Rangers’ log included an empty netter, and a shot that took a fortunate bounce past Ilya Sorokin.

But that’s all par for the course with the 2024-25 Islanders, who also whiffed on three power play chances to get the lead, tie the score, or get back in the game respectively.

This team can’t even get humane self-euthanasia right — even in lost seasons and late-season descents, you’re supposed to lose to the other teams, then still spank the Rangers!

#Isles Kyle Palmieri on if this loss sends the wrong message to management:

"We're disappointed in ourselves. And whatever kind of message that that send to whoever it is, we're the guys in this room that control it."

— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) March 4, 2025​

Up Next​

The Jets visit Tuesday night. The last game in uniform for a few Islanders? Do you even dress /risk injury for the ones who should be on the market?

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2025/3/3/24377375/rangers-vs-islanders-sweep

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders Gameday News: Brock hits 900 (and 78); Jets next

Will he stay or will he go? | Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

The Islanders have yet another chance to confirm who they are. (They are not that good.)

It’s the merciful final Islanders game before the NHL trade deadline.

Thus far, including last night’s second crooked-number loss to the Rangers in a week, they hold a 27-26-7 record, which is not the kind of ledger that screams “Buy! Make a run!” especially with Mat Barzal out long term and so many teams between them and the right to take a first-round loss.

Tonight’s opponent is the Winnipeg Jets, who arrive leading the entire league with 88 points.

First Islanders Goal picks go here.

Islanders News​

• About last night: 0-4 to the Rangers. Inexcusable. But Brock Nelson played his 900th NHL game, which we celebrate because it’s a nice round number in our base-10 system, even though we are taught to value Stanley Cup playoff games more (he’s got 78 of those), though those don’t count for milestones like this. [LHH | Newsday]
• Tough outcome for Brock in 900 (and 78). “I’ve loved playing here — I love playing here. I’m still playing here. Until somebody tells me differently...” [Post | THN]
• Gross: The Isles need to scrap this season and weigh the best trade offers. [Newsday]
• Previewing tonight: Will they go with 11-7 again after Scott Mayfield returned and both Anthony Duclair and Pierre Engvall were scratched? [Isles]
• Patrick Roy scratched Duclair but did not torch him. [Post]
• Prospect Report: Marcus Gidlöf gets his first shutout. [Isles]
• Meet one of your favorite Islanders from history and also Josh Bailey or Steve Webb. [Isles]

Elsewhere​

Monday’s other NHL scores included the Sens losing to the Caps and Spencer Knight stopping 41 shots in a victorious debut with the Blackhawks.

• Charlie Lindgren makes good, signs three-year, $9M deal with the Capitals. [NHL]
• Players to watch at the deadline include Nelson of course, among many others. [NHL]
• Matthew Tkachuk will be out “a while,” i.e. a convenient length to allow them LTIR to acquire Seth Jones and hopefully have Tkachuk back for the playoffs. [NHL]
• Jones’ new teammates like him already. [AP]

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2025/3/4/24377449/islanders-gameday-news-brock-nelson-milestone

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders 3, Jets 2: Nelson, Palmieri score...their last?

Cheers. | Photo by Steven Ryan/NHLI via Getty Images

The top trade targets shine as the Isles rebound from their latest bad loss.

Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri each scored goals and were the top two stars of the game in what could or some would say should be their final games in Islanders uniforms. As the game’s first star, Nelson got the in-arena post-game interview with Shannon Hogan, who began with “I’m going there, my friend” as she cut the onions in front of the pending UFA, who is in his 12th season with the only NHL franchise he’s ever known.

Nelson kept his answers sincere but short, his voice sounded on the verge of breaking as he reflected on the potential finality of this moment.

The Islanders, these frustrating Islanders, turned in a really strong performance in sending the league-leading Winnipeg Jets to their third straight loss. Ilya Sorokin made 27 saves in the 3-2 win.

[NHL Gamecenter | Game Summary | Event Summary | Natural Stat Trick]

Nelson reached 20 goals for the ninth time in his career (and practically 10th if you prorate the pandemic season when he had 18 in 56 games). Nelson also tied Pat LaFontaine for 14th on the franchise assist list with his 279th.

The Islanders survived an early penalty in the first, though the Jets power play would cash in once each in the second and third. Anders Lee “got ‘er goin’” with an energetic fight with Adam Lowry with five minutes to go in the first. Then surprisingly it was the Islanders power play that uncharacteristically converted, Palmieri receiving a cross-slot pass from Nelson and slinging it home inside the near post.

I can confidently say no one is really shocked that tonight of all nights, the Islanders get a PP goal courtesy of Kyle Palmieri and Brock Nelson #Isles pic.twitter.com/CGzMSBRiJG

— Zach (@Zschwartz19) March 5, 2025​

The Isles carried that 1-0 lead into the second period and soon doubled it on a great effort from Nelson (who was active and good all night), finishing a heads-up combo with Max Tsyplakov.

Brock Nelson tucks home Tsyplakov's return feed, doubling the Islanders lead to 2!#Isles pic.twitter.com/P8opCoExMm

— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) March 5, 2025​

The Jets got one back seven minutes later from Josh Morrissey, with Anders Lee off for high-sticking, but the Isles held the 2-1 lead heading into the second intermission.

Once again they extended the lead early, Ryan Pulock firing from the point in the general vicinity of the net four minutes in. He had help on his fourth goal of the season as his wide-heading shot deflected in off a Jets defenseman’s skate.

For a while after that in the third, it was carnage, as body after body was hitting the deck from all kinds of clumsy and double-blindside collisions. The Jets got the worst of it, with Rasmus Kupari hitting the side of his head against the boards and having to leave the game. Lars Ehler also took a hard fall after Lee backed into him. But the Islanders took their share of lumps, with Bo Horvat taking a shot off the palm of his hand and Casey Cizikas taking a shot to the neck after he was spilled in a collision.

The Jets pulled for a sixth attacker with a few minutes to go, and they generated a few close calls, but the Isles played it pretty well. After a final J-G Pageau clear finished things, Simon Holmstrom chased and was a half second short of an empty netter. He’d have earned it, as his work at the top of the zone was also good while defending 6-on-5.

But despite the good performance to keep pace in their unlikely wild card chase, the night may be remembered only as a final song for Nelson, the drafted and nearly lifelong Islander. If this is the end, he did it well, working industriously to improve himself season after season and becoming much more than just an annual Brocktober.

Brock gets choked up in what could be his last interview in an Islanders jersey.

No matter what happens, we love you 29. #Isles pic.twitter.com/Jy1aGlJcO4

— Isles Territory (@IslesTerritory) March 5, 2025​

Brock Nelson, nearly emotional, talking to Shannon on the bench after the game.

Man. #Isles pic.twitter.com/WGZa4z9dZn

— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) March 5, 2025​

Up Next​

The Islanders have days off and travel out to California early for three games in four nights, beginning Friday in San Jose, the day after the trade deadline.

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/20...-vs-jets-brock-nelson-kyle-palmieri-swan-song

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders News: And now we wait

Say it ain’t so. | Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images

Nelson and Palmieri gave quite the performance in what could’ve been their final games here.

Was that it? It sure seemed like the end for Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri based on how Nelson sounded in his First Star interview with Shannon Hogan and his post-game locker room scrum. And I gotta say, I was getting emotional seeing Brock get emotional.

He is one of my favorite New York Islanders of all time, possibly the favorite. He’s fourth all-time in games played for this franchise and is high up on the offensive record lists, as well. When he came down on a two-on-one with a chance to shoot, he seemed automatic. He was always reliable in the playoffs, the quintessential second-line center with a goal-scoring touch.

I know the prudent thing to do is to trade him, but I don’t have to like it. I’ve gone back and forth on whether I want him to extend here, mostly depending on how the team was doing and where they were in the standings. The playoffs still seem unlikely, and Brock is the belle of the ball in this seller’s market before the trade deadline. He could bring back a lot. But I can’t say I’d be disappointed if he signed an extension to remain an Islander for the rest of his career, and where I was at going into last night’s game, I would’ve said I’d be disappointed in that. I think I have changed my mind again.

At this point, I’m just going to accept what happens. I think the worst-case scenario is that he isn’t traded or signed beyond Friday, but I would still have some hope that the extension would get done eventually. We have about 51 hours until we learn this team’s fate.

And now we wait. (Good thread here.)

Some quick thoughts on this (thread?)

I try to approach my Islanders fandom with logic as best I can, because at the end of the day we’re all rooting for a Stanley Cup, BUT, it does feel like this organization is more special than most non-Islanders fans realize. https://t.co/Oylq14xN5X

— Ethan aka The People’s Insider (@EthanGSN) March 5, 2025​

Islanders News​

About last night:​

• It is classic Brock to show out in what could’ve been his last game, setting up Palmieri’s potential last Islander goal and then scoring his own. [LHH]
• Nelson and Palmieri’s goals were each their 20th of the season; nice that they hit the mark here before their potential moves. [Islanders]
• It did feel like the end, based on how the two of them spoke in the post-game. [Newsday]
• Teams tend to hold out trade assets ahead of the deadline, but there was little doubt that these two would play. [Newsday]
• Their departure would feel like the end of an era, too. [NY Post]
• Nelson hit a bunch of milestones in this potentially last game, too. [NYI Skinny]

Other stuff:​

• We didn’t boo the Canadian anthem last night, so that’s good. Of course, there weren’t many of us there. But we did boo when the team didn’t let a patron win the Burger Spotlight because she moved away at the last second, so if we were going to boo, we would’ve been heard. [Newsday]
• The truly prudent thing to do is not just trade Nelson and Palmieri, but possibly guys like Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Anders Lee, two guys with an extra year on their deal (two playoff runs for the acquiring team) who are having resurgent seasons. [NY Post]
• Hell, Nelson and Palmieri may go together in the same trade since they have well-documented chemistry. [THN]
• Whatever happens, it appears it’s all Lou’s decision; ownership appears not to have any influence here. [THN]

Elsewhere​

Other NHL scores include every other team conceivably in the wild card race that played last night losing in regulation. The Islanders are three points back again, but with many teams still to jump.

• Steven Stamkos has found it “difficult” to cope with the Predators’ struggles this season. [NHL]
• Mathieu Olivier gets a six-year contract from the Blue Jackets. I thought only Lou made silly moves like that! [NHL]
• Emily Kaplan got the same read from Brock’s interview as we all did: it seems like the end. That and more around the deadline. [ESPN]

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/20...-winnipeg-jets-nelson-palmieri-lou-lamoriello

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders & NHL News: Trades around the league, de Haan now a Ranger

Say it ain’t so, Carp lad. | Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images

Trades are putting old friends in ugly new clothes.

Trade action around the NHL picked up over the weekend, though not for the Isles (at least by the time of this posting). As the whole league heads into the Trade Deadline week, the East has at least eight teams fighting for two wild card spots, while the West has at least four and probably five who are out of it completely.

That sets up some different dynamic for would-be sellers and buyers. The Smurfs, tonight’s opponent for the Islanders, are above them in the standings but being realistic about where they are as a franchise. They held Reilly Smith out of last night’s tilt with the Predators for “roster management” purposes — i.e. keeping him healthy in the event they complete a trade — and also sent pending UFAs Jimmy Vesey and Ryan Lindgren to the Avalanche for {gasp!} Calvin de Haan (also a UFA), plus a couple of conditional picks and main target Juuso Parssinen, an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment.

The Islanders...might still be trying to sign Brock Nelson? Who knows. But there must be a market for him and Kyle Palmieri, so surely they’ll have some activity this week in one direction or the other.

First Islanders Goal picks for tonight go here.

Islanders News​

• Factors Lou Lamoriello must be weighing. [Newsday]
• Mike Reilly took the next step in his rehab by skating with the team. [Post]
• Ilya Sorokin, no puckhandler, he, took a playful jab at Igor Shesterkin for getting an NHL goal before he did. [Post]
• Alex Romanov has been “reliable” in his third season with the Isles. [Isles]

NHL News​

Sunday’s NHL scores included a goalfest “messy track meet” among the Devils and Penguins, and the Smurfs brushing Nashville aside.

• So, big trades afoot, with chances for more to come. [TSN]
• Seth Jones gets his wish to escape Chicago for a contender, with the Panthers sending a first and Spencer Knight the other way, while the Blackhawks retain $2.5 million annually from Jones’ crazy $9M AAV. [NHL]
• What a contrast, in how the repeatedly tanking Hawks have gone about things vs. how the Cup champion Panthers have. [Athletic]
• What de Haan (briefly) and Parssinen bring to the Smurfs. [SNY]
• Before the Predators lost to both New Yorks, they dealt UFA Gustav Nyquist to the Wild for a second-round pick. [NHL]
• Four possible destinations for Dylan Cozens. [Sportsnet]
• Filipp Grubauer has been recalled from his AHL purgatory by the Kraken. [TSN]
• Quinn Hughes picked up another injury. [NHL]

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/20...-nhl-news-trades-rangers-de-haan-jones-knight

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders Deadline Wait News: Many suitors, many trades elsewhere

What does his future hold? | Photo by Steven Ryan/NHLI via Getty Images

At these prices, who stands pat?

As we wait for the next Islanders game, which comes after Friday’s 3 p.m. EST trade deadline, the market would appear to favor the Isles if they are willing to move their top UFAs.

Not only are teams reportedly looking for centers like Brock Nelson, who’s a 20-goal scorer like winger Kyle Palmieri, but trades thus far have included first- and or second-round picks, and the New Jersey Devils have just suffered a Jack Hughes-size hole in their lineup that creates Jack Hughes-sized cap space via LTIR since he’s out for the season.

The teams believed to be interested are numerous, including Minnesota, Toronto, Winnipeg, Colorado, Vegas and more.

Islanders News​

• All quiet as of Wednesday night. Will and when will Lou be ready to sell? [Newsday]
• Or is he “still trying to hammer out an extension” with Nelson? [Athletic] (And will the available buyers dry up if he waits too long?)

On Brock Nelson: It is my understanding the #Isles will/have presented a contract offer to him. At the same time, several teams have expressed significant interest in trading for him and offers have included a 1st round pick +. TB had interest today, but pivoted for SEA deal.

— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) March 6, 2025​

#Isles Kyle Palmieri: "It's out of my control. It's part of the business. I've been around long enough to be traded, had friends get traded. It's not something you can focus on. Until someone says otherwise, I love fighting for a playoff spot with this group."

— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) March 5, 2025​

Elsewhere​

Wednesday’s scores included the Rangers getting a point in an OT loss to the Capitals (another Ovechkin goal to tie it), and the Senators getting a regulation win. Meanwhile, plenty of movement around the league:

• Tampa goes all in (again), dealing two protected first-round picks and more to Seattle for Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand. [ESPN]
• Quite the push by the Lightning, who will go a whole decade having drafted only two first rounders. [Sportsnet | NHL]
• The Panthers picked up Vitek Vanecek from San Jose, goalie depth after they dealt Spencer Knight in the Seth Jones trade. [ESPN]
• The Hurricanes are gauging the market for Mikko Rantanen, who turned down a big extension during the 4 Nations break. [Sportsnet]
• The Penguins sent Michael Bunting to the Nashville Predators (bringing back Luke Schenn, who could be flipped) and Vincent Desharnais to the San Jose Sharks. [NHL]
• Meanwhile, Utah is extending guys: Ian Cole and Alex Kerfoot to $3M, one-year extensions and goalie Karel Vejmelka for five years. [TSN]
• And the Sabres extended Jordan Greenway for two years, $8 million. [NHL]
• Oh, and Darren Dreger, who a week ago was telling St. Louis radio hosts he couldn’t see the Leafs parting with any of their top prospects for Brayden Schenn, went far in the opposite direction yesterday:

an actual prominent insider suggesting the Leafs should trade all three of their top prospects for Brayden Schenn and then wondering if that’s even enough is straight up insanity. have some shame.

— Mike Stephens (@mikeystephens81) March 6, 2025​

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/20...rade-deadline-wait-brock-nelson-kyle-palmieri

 

[New York Islanders]

Brock Nelson traded to Avalanche, Islanders get a 1st, top prospect Calum Ritchie

My congregants, my parishioners, there comes a time when a shepherd must move on to tend to a new flock. I trust you understand. | Photo by Harry How/Getty Images

William Dufour also exits in the deal.

The New York Islanders moved their top deadline prize, longtime center Brock Nelson, in a trade with the Colorado Avalanche that netted them a conditional first-round pick, top Avlanche forward prospect Calum Ritchie, and a conditional 2028 third-round pick.

Islanders prospect William Dufour also went to Colorado in the deal; UFA defenseman Oliver Kylington came the other way, but the Isles — who suddenly have more healthy defensemen than they can handle — flipped him to Anaheim for future considerations.

The Islanders also retained 50% of Nelson’s salary/cap hit.

What the Islanders Got​

If Nelson wasn’t re-signing with the Islanders, and that appeared to be the outcome all along despite Lou Lamoriello reportedly offering extensions through Wednesday, then this was a good haul for the Islanders. They had the top prize of the deadline and they got a 1st and a top prospect in return.

The first-round pick is for either 2026 (top 10-protected) or 2027, so a reward deferred, but a potentially good one as the Avalanche core ages, Plus, they got Colorado’s top prospect, a center who is one of the best in the OHL and profiles as a more physical successor to Nelson. The third-round pick is a bonus, and the exit of Dufour, a 2020 5th-round pick who shined late in his QMJHL career but has stalled at AHL Bridgeport, is of minor importance to the big picture.

Ritchie was Colorado’s first-round pick (27th overall) in 2023, and he made a seven-game NHL debut with them this season before returning to the OHL. He could be in the Isles lineup as soon as next season. Or they could subject him to whatever the hell they’re doing in Bridgeport first.

Ritchie was born in 2005, or five years before Nelson was drafted with the last pick in the first round.

What the Avalanche Got​

Brock Nelson is that rare forward who has improved with age, steadily working on his game and refining his offensive tools. It’s hard to believe now that at one point it wasn’t clear whether he’d ever be an NHL center or would just be a tweener wing. Certainly the arrival of Barry Trotz in 2018 helped unlock some of his potential, but Nelson also annually worked on his shot and offensive moves to turn himself into a consistent threat.

The Avalanche thought they’d solved their 2C hole last year with the deadline acquisition of Casey Mittelstadt, but he has not measured up this year. Nelson, fresh off a fourth-line role at the 4 Nations and one last first-star turn with the Isles, now fills that role in Colorado after 901 regular season games on Long Island.

He was a homegrown prospect, who worked his way up through Bridgeport and got his NHL debut in the 2013 playoffs, even though all-important playoff games don’t count toward NHL games played milestones.

He was a stoic, beloved Islander who will presumably seek greener or maybe home-adjacent pastures this summer.

At age 33 (34 in the first month of next season), his next UFA contract may not age well depending on its term, but he should help the Avalanche this spring and the Islanders will have a tough time replacing him.

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/20...alanche-islanders-calum-richie-william-dufour

 

[New York Islanders]

NHL Trade Deadline Roundup: Palmieri staying put, may re-sign

We are the future. | Photo by Steven Ryan/NHLI via Getty Images

Rantanen, Marchand among the big names moving, but the Isles only moved what they couldn’t re-sign.

The NHL Trade Deadline saw some major moves and some major stand pats, with the Islanders in a little of both categories.

Lou Lamoriello traded Brock Nelson for a healthy haul after efforts to sign him fell short through Thursday, but he’s keeping his other UFA 20-goal scorer, winger Kyle Palmieri, in the fold.

Multiple reporters had the Isles GM closing in on a short (2 to 3 years) contract extension with Palmieri rather than trading him, which Arthur Staple reported would be in the range of a second-round pick and another asset. There was reported interest in J-G Pageau as well, but the Isles weren’t really open for business except when forced.

What we’re to make of this? Lou would’ve stayed the course if Brock had only signed, and even with that departure he wasn’t about to make larger retooling/rebuilding moves. Essentially, he’s going to stay the course, which means making whatever incremental improvements he can in the hopes of incremental-ing his team back into contention.

It’s an approach.

Hearing sides are working on either a two- or three-year extension with an AAV under Palmieri's current $5 million https://t.co/wNjgjRK3d5

— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) March 7, 2025​

Big Moves​

Around the league:

• Carolina tried to salvage something for its failed Mikko Rantanen experiment, with the winger headed to Dallas on the condition of signing a massive eight-year extension for around $12 million annually. He’ll now be in the enviable position of battling for Western supremacy against his former team, Nelson’s new (and temporary?) home. The Hurricanes get two firsts and Logan Stankoven.
• The Stars also extended offer-sheet-enticing RFA Wyatt Johnston for five years, $8.4 AAV.
• Late in the deadline period, the Bruins sent Brad Marchand to the Panthers; the longtime productive pest had wanted to stay in Boston; now he joins a team that has helped end the Bruins’ attempts at continued relevance.
• Speaking of frequent foes, the Bruins also sent defenseman Brandan Carlo to the Maple Leafs.
• The Senators and Sabres completed a swap of underperforming but highly paid young players, with Dylan Cozens and Josh Norris being the primary players in a multi-asset swap.
• Not a big move, but a costly one: Somehow the Sharks got a (top 12-protected) first-round pick out of the Oilers for defenseman Jake Wallman. Wallman’s having a bounce-back season and has one year left on his deal, but man...that’s a “missing piece” price.
• There were lots of rumors about the Leafs needing to “go for it” and add someone big, even if that big was an aging (33), big-contracted (3 more years at $6.5M) guy like Brayden Schenn in St. Louis. That never sounded remotely sane nor realistic. They eventually found a younger and cheaper addition in Scott Laughton from the Flyers. Philadelphia retains 50% of the salary and gets a protected first and a prospect, Nikita Grebenkin.

Small Moves​

• With Casey Mittelstadt out of favor and upgraded by Brock Nelson, the Avalanche shipped him as part of a package to get Charlie Coyle from Boston.
• Old friend Anthony Beauvillier is moving on again; Pittsburgh flipped the UFA to the Capitals for a second-round pick.
• Andrei Kuzmenko is on the move again, cementing his “that guy” status as the Flyers flip him after only seven games to the Kings. He was a Canuck before he was a Flame before he was a Flyer. History will one day confuse him with six-team Andrei Kovalenko and it won’t be wrong.
• Luke Schenn, recently acquired by the Penguins for “character” and such in their Michael Bunting dump, has now been traded to the Jets for a 2nd and a 4th.
• The Red Wings retrieve Petr Mrazek and Craig Smith from Chicago for Joe Veleno.

Stand Pats​

• The younger Schenn is Blues captain and has a full no-trade clause since last summer, so it always seemed like a “only if blown away” proposition, but who would blow them away with an offer for him? Even after losing top defenseman Colton Parayko for the rest of the regular season, the Blues decided to double-down on their current hot streak and sell no one. Most of their assets are tied up in contracts, and UFAs Radek Faksa and Ryan Suter are likely the type that would fetch little and are worth more to their outside playoff push.
• The Canadiens held on to all three pending UFAs, David Savard, Joel Armia and Christian Dvorak.
• Those are the only two teams that made no trades leading up to the deadline. Columbus came close, but they acquired Luke Kunin from San Jose for a fourth. Interesting position for the Blue Jackets: They are playoff contenders, and the way they have rallied this year in the wake of Johnny Gaudreau’s tragedy probably makes going for a playoff push the right call, culturally and emotionally. Good luck to them.

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/20...line-roundup-palmieri-staying-put-may-re-sign

 

[New York Islanders]

Weird Islanders: The Podcast! - Mike Mottau (with guest Keith Dallas)

Two words: “Snow” and “Angel.”

Along with comic book writer and owner of many weird Islanders jerseys Keith Dallas, Mike and Dan remember defenseman Mike Mottau, whose short stint on Long Island was also very eventful.

After winning a Hobey Baker Award at Boston College and playing for the Rangers, Flames and Devils, Mottau washed ashore as a free agent, looking to help the young Islanders blueline. What followed were injuries and many losses, many of which Mottau was helpless to stop. His most notable accomplishments over his two seasons were punching one Isles nemesis and getting clowned by another after a legendarily poor decision on the ice.

Mottau was eventually dealt to his hometown Bruins - along with another Islanders villain - at the trade deadline, bringing the whole odd era to a close.

Keith tells us his memories of Mottau’s time, the joys of being a season ticket holder when a team is bad and the many-layered tale of how he came to own an actual game-worn Mike Mottau jersey. A perfect appetizer for today’s trade deadline main course.

Thanks as always to Keith for coming on. Check out his comics and comic book histories however you can and keep an eye out for the third issue of his Riptide Sanitarium. You can read the first issue here.

WEIRD BONUS MATERIAL!

• Mottau won the Hobey Baker Award as the NCAA’s best hockey player in 2000, and joined the Rangers shortly afterward. But it never worked out for him in Manhattan and he was traded to Calgary in 2003.
• Weird Islander versus Weird Islander! It’s New Jersey’s Mike Mottau against the Isles’ Mike Comrie:

• After breaking out with the Devils, Mottau signed a two year contract with the Islanders in the summer of 2010.
• These lucky kids got to meet Travis Hamonic, Nino Niederreiter and Mike Mottau at their school gym. Wow.
• In his first season with the Islanders, Mottau sustained a serious eye injury in a game against Atlanta. He missed 10 games, then had hip surgery which took him out for the rest of that already lost season. He was back to start the next season.
• Mottau doing the lord’s work and putting Sean Avery into a headlock takedown

• Mottau did his part to try to get the arena referendum passed in 2011 (it didn’t work).

• And here it is. The infamous “Snow Angel” play that was a meme on Lighthouse Hockey for years. WATCH THE ENTIRE CLIP, YOU WILL NOT BE SORRY.

• After showing he could play again, Mottau was traded with Brian Rolston to the Bruins, which was a thrill for the Quincy, Mass. native.
• Mottau’s efforts for the Boston College Eagles earned him a retired jersey.
• This is a first: a TV commercial starring a Weird Islander. Congrats to Rodman Ford for getting the Mike Mottau Seal Of Approval.

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What makes a “Weird Islander?”

We’re always open to suggestions about other Weird Islanders to discuss. Remember the criteria. Candidates must fulfill one of the two of the following:

• Played one (1) season or less for the Islanders or very short stints over multiple seasons.
• Be a veteran NHLer who is not generally associated with his time on Islanders.

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Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/20...-guest-keith-dallas-snow-angel-boston-college

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders Gameday News: Brock-less in San Jose

Godspeed, you. | Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

This is gonna be weird...it feels weird.

Well...here we are. The trade deadline is over, and the Islanders march on without one of the most steady, durable and ultimately prolific performers of this generation of Islanders. The guys who were together for the better part of 10 years or even more, many having come up together from Bridgeport and/or started families on Long Island.

The Isles are in San Jose tonight, where the Sharks are continuing their teardown/rebuild.

The Isles are four points behind teams that are in wild card position and trying to stay there. This California trip will set a tone of whether they remain hopeful or descend into post-deadline malaise. (And can’t you just see the injury-saddled Devils plummeting out of the playoff picture and getting a lottery pick while the Isles sneak in for a first-round slaughter?)

It’s a 10 p.m. EST start, so you’re going to lose an hour right after this one’s over. First Islanders Goal picks go here.

Islanders News​

• “This is a case where the on-ice impact and the off-ice impact are almost identically important.” On Islanders Anxiety, Dan and Mike reflect on what it means and what it feels like to have another “uncle” head out the door. Even though it was long anticipated and logical, Nelson’s exit is jarring. [LHH]
• Previewing tonight: “Everyone in this room is excited for the challenge. Now that the deadline’s behind us, this is the group we’re going to do it with. We’re excited,” says survivor Kyle Palmieri. [Isles]
• But Casey Cizikas sums up the impact (same link): “He meant everything. He was the leader on off the ice. He gave he had everything he had every single night. He’s a guy that you could easily follow into battle and his personality inside the locker room was awesome. Nelson’s a tough guy to lose. He means a lot to this organization, he means a lot to us in this room. We’re wishing him nothing but the best.”
• However, also Casey: “It was strictly business but at the end of the day we have guys in this dressing room right now that are going to have an opportunity to fill some big shoes, and those are opportunities that you want, those are opportunities that you want to take advantage of.” [THN]
• “So moving forward, guys are going to be put in spots where they’re going to have a chance to succeed, and we just got to carry with that. We got to play as a whole, play as a group, because that’s our identity.
• Adam Boqvist will step in for Scott Mayfield but here is how the forward lines look, per Andrew Gross of Newsday.
• Neil Best: In the end, Lou is gonna Lou. He’s sticking with his guys as much as he can, and will look to augment rather than subtract. [Newsday]
• Acquiring Calum Ritchie is an instant boost to their prospect pool though. (Great fodder for using to trade for established veterans, right?) [Post]
• With rosters relaxed after the deadline, Mike Reilly and Matt Martin are activated off IR. No telling when Reilly will be ready though.
• Marcus Hogberg is with the team and practicing, but not ready yet. [Isles]

Who are the Sharks?

#SJSharks morning skate lines, Gregor not here yet, working out immigration:

Eklund-Wennberg-Toffoli
Kostin-Celebrini-Smith
Kovalenko-Dellandrea-Graf
Grundstrom-Giles-Goodrow

Ferraro-Mukhamadullin
Vlasic-Liljegren
Thrun-Desharnais

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) March 8, 2025​

Elsewhere​

The deadline day still included some games, with the Red Wings, Devils and Penguins all losing handily in regulation.

• Winners and losers from a fun, fun deadline. [Sportsnet]
• A loser of sorts: Apparently the Oilers and Rantanen were talking about an extension, but Edmonton couldn’t meet Carolina’s asking price. [TSN]
• Storylines for the rest of the season include wild card races, the Colorado-Dallas arms race, whether Carolina and New Jersey will falter, and apparently Alex Ovechkin is closing in on a record? I hadn’t heard about that. [NHL]
• Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky doesn’t regret their big Mikko Rantanen swing (and in truth, they ended up recouping pretty well). [NHL]
• More brutal news for the Devils as Dougie Hamilton will be out “for an extended time.” [TSN]
• The Panthers are thrilled to have dirtbag Brad Marchand on board. Assuming he gets healthy. [NHL]
• They’ll also be starting their new backup tonight, Vitek Vanecek. [NHL]
• You don’t see No. 1 goalies move almost ever at the deadline, and Ryan Miller’s experience could be one reason why. [NHL]
• Roberto Luongo put the pads back on for a Panthers practice. Ol’ greybeard. [NHL]

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/20...ers-gameday-news-brock-nelson-san-jose-sharks

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders 4, Sharks 2: Slow start but two points to begin road trip and post-Brock era

As Ilya goes, so goes the Isles. | Photo by Kavin Mistry/NHLI via Getty Images

They looked flat early but got the lead they needed in San Jose.

On a night when the Islanders began their new reality and when Lou Lamoriello emphatically stated his stance on not “tearing down” and going into a rebuild that “takes 10 years” (and also emphasized that yes, he has a boss and every GM does), they got a must-have two points in a 4-2 win over the 32nd-place Sharks.

It wasn’t pretty in the beginning, and it could’ve gone upside down, but Ilya Sorokin held them in early and the Isles were opportunistic to secure a win on the first of three games in four nights on this March California march.

The win kept them three points but also five teams back of the wild card positions.

[NHL Gamecenter | Game Summary | Event Summary | Natural Stat Trick]

First Period​

The Isles came out like they’d spent a couple of days in the sun and also lost one of their oldest buddies to a deadline trade. The Sharks had 12 of the first 13 shots and 20 overall in the first period.

But the Isles got a power play goal from Anthony Duclair to make it 1-0 at 10:43. It was nice work by the PP, particularly Simon Holmstrom making a quick cross-zone pass for the assist, but it benefited from a deflection off a Sharks stick past Alexandar Georgiev.

That still didn’t quite wake up the Isles, but they pounced on a turnover late in the period and J-G Pageau made it 2-0 with 39 seconds left.

Shots were 20-8 for San Jose at the intermission, but thanks to Ilya Sorokin the visitors had the 2-0 lead.

Second Period​

The second period was basically a reversal of the first, with the Islanders waking up and asserting themselves, only for the Sharks to break their seal with a power play goal. Nikolai Kovalenko deflected a point shot in at 6:27 to cut the lead to 2-1.

With 6:27 to go in the second, there was an extensive review, spanning a TV timeout and more, after Anders Lee fired the puck from the corner along the goal line and Georgiev backed almost all of his body behind the line. But while you can logically conclude the puck was over the line, there was no damning, conclusive video evidence.

Things leveled out — and never was it as lopsided as the first — but even with the Isles chances and control, they rarely looked all that dangerous. Shots finished 13-9 for the Isles, who took a 2-1 lead to the second intermission.

Third Period​

In the first game without his longtime teammate, Anders Lee took over the team points lead from the departed Brock Nelson, jumping on a broken faceoff play to fire a shot past Georgiev just 73 seconds into the period to give the Isles a 3-1 lead.

Kovalenko took a penalty on the next shift, and the Islanders power play went to work with impressive and unpredictable puck movement throughout. Tony DeAngelo and Adam Boqvist roamed around the zone to keep pucks in and not be in predictable positions; a DeAngelo-Pageau-Boqvist connection set up Boqvist’s point shot, with Lee screening, to make it 4-1 at 3:51.

That was about it; there were a couple more penalties to consume the time, and the Sharks converted on a late one with the goalie pulled to cut it to 4-2, but ultimately the Isles got the smooth third period they needed before heading to Anaheim for the second half of a back-to-back.

Quote of the Night​

“In 1981 I went the entire playoff series with one stick.”

>>Butch Goring, after Adam Pelech shattered yet another $300 stick on a point shot...and he may have meant the entire playoffs, too

Up Next​

No rest on these California swings. They’re in Anaheim for an early Sunday evening start against the Ducks, before finishing the trip in L.A. on Tuesday.

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/20...ers-vs-sharks-anders-lee-ilya-sorokin-duclair

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders Gameday News: Lou speaks, trip continues in Anaheim

One more run for some of these guys. | Photo by Panayiota Good/NHLI via Getty Images

The GM lays out his approach and his role.

The Islanders are in Anaheim to attempt to build off Saturday night’s business-like 4-2 win over the Sharks.

In their post-deadline reality, Lou Lamoriello came down from the mountain to speak to media, answer questions and restate his philosophy once and for all. The full scrum is worth watching (it’s also embedded below) if you want to hear it straight from Lou’s mouth, but key points regarding the deadline and approach:

• Tried to re-sign Brock Nelson with a “fair” offer for his role and age, but could not come to agreement; “won’t apologize for” trying to resign another 30s-forward, because Nelson is important to the team and a position that is difficult to replace.
• Is not into a “teardown” or “rebuild” (words he doesn’t like) or something where you’re “depleting, depleting,” because that “takes 10 years” {ed. casts sideeye at Buffalo, Detroit, Chicago...} and will always be looking for ways to make the team better and “be competitive today.” Where your team is at the deadline always tells you how much future vs. present risk you are willing to take.
• Since Nelson wasn’t re-signing, they found a good deal with a prospect they expect to step into the lineup next year, but otherwise they weren’t interested in trading vets just for draft picks rather than players. “If we could’ve gotten younger and better — not just getting draft picks — we would’ve done it.” But those moves are now more likely to come over the summer. For now, four points out, doesn’t want to give up on “the guys in that room.”
• Knows they need to get younger, but was hoping to have Nelson here through that transition; “we know we need to do more than what has just transpired.” That said, talking to Kyle Palmieri and hoping to find agreement “under our terms, similar to Brock, because young players will be infused in this lineup...but [deal with Palmieri] may not happen. We’ll see.”
• Asked about Scott Malkin: “To put that to rest...where that comes from, I don’t know.” No, he does not have “autonomy” because yes, he has a boss, he’s always had a boss in his career and every GM in every sport has a boss, and has never done anything without talking to his boss, working with his boss.

Anyway, the Isles play the Ducks tonight and feel they’re right in the thick of the race.

First Islanders Goal picks go here.

Islanders News​

Lou also said Semyon Varlamov is unlikely to appear again this season, and Mat Barzal is still a “hope” but they won’t push it, must be 100%. Would have Calum Ritchie come in (but not play) when his OHL season is over, but he hopes instead he goes on a Memorial Cup run.

• Mike Reilly also was allowed to speak to media, reflecting on his health journey as he’s resumed skating with the team. [Isles | Newsday]
• Takeaways from the win over the Sharks: “Where we’ve stood throughout the season, we’ve always had that sense of urgency, but we need the results now,” says the captain. [Isles | LHH | Post]
• Newsday and the Post interpret Lou’s scrum as change (to the roster) is coming in summer.
• Previewing tonight: No morning skate, so we’ll find out before game time whether Ilya Sorokin gets the back-to-back start after a busy night last night. [Isles]
• ...but Marcus Hogberg has been activated off of IR. [THN]

Elsewhere​

Ten games across the league Saturday, including the Smurfs blowing it against Ottawa to lose in OT.

• Mitch Marner responds, briefly and cagily, to the report that he was asked to waive his no-trade clause to be part of a package for Mikko Rantanen. Marner has not really engaged in extension talks, apparently, so it will be really shocking to see him sign with the Isles. [Sportsnet]
• Rantanen has had a crazy six weeks. [NHL]
• An era has ended in Boston with their last Cup winner Brad Marchand and others shipped out the door. [NHL]
• Marchand and the Bruins could not close the gap on money. [ESPN]
• Bourne with two sentences on every trade. [Sportsnet]

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/20...ou-lamoriell-interview-trade-deadline-rebuild

 

[New York Islanders]

Ducks 4 (EN), Islanders 1: Try, or try not?

What are we doing here? | Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

That is the question that seems to face the Islanders every other night.

The Islanders didn’t really show up in Anaheim Sunday night. Marcus Hogberg was back, so that was nice, and his efforts kept it close before the dam finally broke on the way to a 4-1 Ducks win.

But overall, it was a disappointing, absent effort from a team supposedly chasing a playoff position, losing handily to a team that is well out of the playoff hunt but just a few points behind the Isles in the opposite conference.

It wasn’t an effort worth recapping in any detail. So I’ll just lean on one of many appropriate comments from the game thread:

Even after this miserable first 4/5 of this season, the Isles are going to no-show for a game where they could jump past three teams and position themselves to actually fight for WC2. Talk about crapping the bed.

They are so slow and boring and apathetic. The latter of which is how we should be.

It was that bad, and that sad, and WTF were any of us doing watching this crap late on a Sunday night anyway? I don’t even remember any individual performances outside of Hogberg, and Adam Pelech missing the net leading to the third Anaheim goal, and Noah Dobson making mind-boggling after mind-boggling decision with the puck.

[NHL Gamecenter | Game Summary | Event Summary | Natural Stat Trick]

I’ll say this much: one bit of trivia worth recording is how early Patrick Roy pulled the goalie.

With 12:28 left and trailing 3-0, pulled Hogberg for a sixth attacker. Not sure he’s done it earlier than that before. The Islanders should’ve had a power play when Kyle Palmieri was pulled down immediately after, but there was not call, and although Tony DeAngelo blocked the ensuing attempt at the empty net, the Ducks scored into it shortly afterward.

Eventually DeAngelo broke Lukas Dostal’s shutout bid with a point shot through traffic — and Dostal is a really good goalie, perhaps sentenced to the same imprisoned fate as John Gibson. It’s no shame to be blanked by Dostal if you actually try to score.

Up Next​

The Isles are in Los Angeles Tuesday where the Kings have only lost three times in regulation this season. Should be fun.

That’s before they head back home for teams like the Oilers and Panthers. Should be even more fun.

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2025/3/9/24381903/ducks-vs-islanders-whatever

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders Anxiety - Episode 324 - The Uncle Generation

An hour-long farewell to Islanders legend Dennis Cholowski.

Mike and Dan analyze the Islanders’ trade deadline moves and non-moves and how they will impact the team on and off the ice.

With the trade of Brock Nelson to Colorado just after midnight on deadline day for a conditional first round pick and prospect Calum Ritchie, the Islanders waved goodbye to their most consistent forward of this era. Removing his presence from the team leaves a big hole that current players, ex-players, media and fans will all feel. While it was the right move and the pieces extracted are highly rated, it will be weird seeing the Islanders play without one of the longtime “Uncles.”

In the second half, we discuss the deadline’s biggest non-move, which was the keeping and expected contract extension of Kyle Palmieri. The Long Island native has had some huge moments and wants to stay at what sounds like a palatable price. But it raises fears that next season’s team will be more of the same.

However, having not just veterans but veteran Islanders in the room to guide the next generation does have some value.

REFERENCES

• ESPN was among a few outlets giving the Islanders high marks for the Nelson trade return.
• Calum Ritchie’s Elite Prospects page looks pretty... elite?
• Dom’s write up on the impending Palmieri extension and what we know now.

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PLUGS!​

• Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, as well as the full line of Islanders Anxiety merch. As always our portion of those sales go directly to the Center for Dementia Research.
• The Pinot Project has a Rosé, a Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena.
• Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion.
• Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN).

Theme song: “Morning Haze” by Family Dinner. Hear more of their music on Spotify.

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Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/20...on-brock-nelson-trade-kyle-palmieri-extention

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders Gameday News: Walking in L.A.

Nobody’s walking in L.A. | Photo by Nicole Vasquez/NHLI via Getty Images

Also: Cole Eiserman joins elite company at BU.

The Islanders finish their post-deadline California road trip late tonight in L.A. for a meeting with the Kings, who’ve lost just three times in regulation at home this season.

First Islanders Goal picks go here for tonight (or tomorrow morning, depending).

Islanders News​

• Previewing tonight: The Isles PK is 44% over the past three games. Not good! [Isles]
• Andrew Gross, written form: If it’s up to the players now...they’re fumbling. [Newsday]
• And Gross, audio form: Trade deadline recap episode of Island Ice. [SoundCloud]
• Not an impressive couple post-deadline games against weaker California teams. [Post]
• Staple: “Lamoriello was practical at the deadline. He’ll have to be closer to cold-blooded this summer to make meaningful change.” [Athletic]
• Prospect Report: With his weekend hat trick, Cole Eiserman leads all NCAA rookies in goals and “became the fourth BU freshman since 1990 to hit the 20-goal mark, joining Jack Eichel, Clayton Keller and Macklin Cellebrini.” [Isles]
• (Yester)day in Isles History: Butch Goring is acquired, Anders Lee gets his first hat trick. [Isles]
• Patrick Roy appreciated Adam Boqvist filling in at center; and Marcus Hogberg kept himself in good shape while his finger healed. [Post]

Elsewhere​

Four games in the NHL Monday, including the Oilers losing to lowly Buffalo in regulation and the Senators topping the Red Wings in regulation.

• Aaron Ekblad fails drug test, suspended 20 games. There are 18 left in the Panthers’ season. [NHL]
• Rod Brind’Amour said Mikko Rantanen had four teams he was willing to sign with, and Carolina wasn’t one. “The better question is should we have known that before we signed him or attempted to sign him.” [Sportsnet]
• Jonathan Toews, 36, wants to explore a comeback. [NHL]
• Rick Tocchet has better things to worry about than some Vancouver social media stirring up issues about who wears the A. [Sportsnet]
• They grow up so fast: Nathan MacKinnon reaches 1,000 points, the 100th player to do so. [NHL]
• New but injured Panther Brad Marchand meets the media, feels rejuvenated. [NHL | Sportsnet]
• How coaches help trade acquisitions integrate into the team. [NHL]

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/20...ders-gameday-news-lamoriello-hogberg-eiserman