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.