Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello met with the media today (video link) and provided updates on several things while also confirming that he is under contract, though he declined to state for how long. Here are some of the updates from his presser.
- Speaking about veteran winger Josh Bailey, Lamoriello indicated that “In Josh’s case, it looks like, maybe it’s near the end here.” The 33-year-old had a rough showing this season, notching just eight goals and 17 assists in 64 games, resulting in him being a healthy scratch at times. Bailey still has one year left on his contract with a $5MM AAV, one that would require New York to provide an incentive for another team to take on. A buyout, meanwhile, would save around $2.33MM on the cap for next season while adding $1.167MM in dead space for 2024-25.
- Lamoriello also confirmed that head coach Lane Lambert would be back for his second season behind the bench. The team was eliminated in the first round by Carolina and didn’t take as big of a step forward offensively as expected; the team scored just 12 more goals than they did under the defensive-minded Barry Trotz. However, Lamoriello wouldn’t confirm that the full coaching staff would be back for next year, stating “that’s not something that I can assert to at this point”. John MacLean and Doug Houda were the lead assistants this season for the Isles.
- Lamoriello indicated that he’d like to re-sign pending UFA defenseman Scott Mayfield, goaltender Semyon Varlamov, and forward Pierre Engvall. Mayfield has become a steady top-four blueliner and should more than double the $1.45MM AAV from his expiring deal. Varlamov played in just 23 games this season, his fewest games played total since getting a brief stint in his rookie year in 2008-09. He’s coming off a $5MM contract and will be facing a likely cut in pay, especially if he wants to remain in New York. Engvall, meanwhile, came over at the trade deadline from Toronto and picked up nine points in 18 games following the swap. He’s coming off a $2.25MM contract and should be in line for more than that on the open market. With the Islanders having a little over $5MM in cap space per CapFriendly, they have some work to do if they want to bring those three back.
- As for Zach Parise, another pending UFA, Lamoriello mentioned he’d also like to bring him back but the veteran first needs to decide if he’s going to play again next season. The 38-year-old had a productive year with 21 goals but after 18 NHL seasons, it’s certainly possible that he decides to call it a career.
- Lamoriello also noted that winger Oliver Wahlstrom has resumed skating as he works his way back from an ACL injury back in late December. He, along with Alexander Romanov (shoulder surgery), are both set to be ready in time for training camp.
Sounds like another pedestrian season on the horizon this upcoming season for NYI.
I wonder if a Mantha for Bailey trade would be something for both teams to explore
That’s an interesting match.
Who, Sylvio Mantha? I believe the Bruins would have the rights, if it wasn’t for that he died nearly fifty years ago.
What, *Anthony* Mantha? I agree he could be had cheaply, but the Isles would have to throw in a sweetener, and why would they want to for a guy who’s just not much good any more, and who’s being paid MORE than Bailey? And what’s Washington’s incentive, other than the aforementioned sweetener? To get a guy his own GM says is no longer good for anything?
Seems that the answer for both teams is the usual in the league these days: bribe either Arizona, or Columbus, or Chicago to take on the contracts.