Fansided

The Islanders are batting 1.000 this offseason

By Michelle Bruton

LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 07: Head Coach Barry Trotz of the Washington Capitals hoists the Stanley Cup after Game Five of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final between the Washington Capitals and the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on June 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Capitals defeated the Golden Knights 4-3 to win the Stanley Cup Final Series 4-1. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 07: Head Coach Barry Trotz of the Washington Capitals hoists the Stanley Cup after Game Five of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final between the Washington Capitals and the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on June 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Capitals defeated the Golden Knights 4-3 to win the Stanley Cup Final Series 4-1. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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The New York Islanders have installed Lou Lamoriello as general manager. They’ve hired Stanley Cup-winning coach Barry Trotz as head coach. And if they can re-sign John Tavares, they’ll be sitting pretty before the NHL Draft even begins.

The New York Islanders missing the NHL postseason 15 points out of the playoff race is starting to feel more and more like a distant memory as they put together an impressive offseason.

Under coach Doug Weight and general manager Garth Snow in 2017-18, the Islanders sputtered to a 35-37-10 record and wasted a year of center John Tavares’ prime. They played almost as badly at home (19-18-4) as they did on the road (16-19-6).

Needless to say, all of this was endlessly frustrating to Isles fans. Thankfully for them, owner Scott Malkin saw the writing on the wall. Two weeks after he was named New York’s president of hockey operations and given“full authority over all hockey matters with the organization,” Lamoriello re-assigned both Snow and Weight within the organization, taking over at the helm as general manager.

Next on his list — finding a head coach. Lamoriello built the three New Jersey Devils teams that won the Cup, but even talent like Tavares and Mathew Barzal won’t get you far without a top-tier head coach.

And then, wouldn’t you know it, as the Islanders became the only team in the NHL with a head coaching vacancy, the cup who most recently hoisted the Cup, Barry Trotz, resigned his post with the Washington Capitals.

We learned this week that the championship triggered an extension clause in Trotz’s contract that would elevate his salary — $1.5 million in 2017-18 — by a whopping…$300,000.

Needless to say, Trotz was willing to head out in search of greener pastures, and he seems to have found them with the Islanders, who will reportedly pay him at least $4 million a year per Elliotte Friedman:

And he’s certainly worth it for a franchise looking to pull what amounts very nearly to a 180. Trotz has led his teams to the playoffs 11 out of the last 14 seasons.

Next on Lamoriello’s list, of course, is locking down captain John Tavares, who had 84 points (37 goals, 47 assists) last season. With Trotz installed as head coach, that’s looking more and more likely.

Tavares has been having frequent meetings with the Islanders, but up until today, the sense was that he would do what Steven Stamkos did two years ago and talk to teams during the UFA speaking period.

Of course, with Trotz on board, the decision to re-sign with the Islanders now and broadcast his continued loyalty to and investment in the franchise would be easier than ever for Tavares to make.

Even if they lose Tavares in free agency — don’t panic! — the Islanders have made themselves into a premier destination for other free agents.

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To top all this off, the Islanders hold back-to-back first-round picks in the NHL Draft on Friday night, Nos. 11 and 12 (the latter from Calgary).

Move over, Summer of Ovi — the Islanders want a spot.

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