May 2, 2024 | 9:58am ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

DECISIONS LOOM ON LONG ISLAND THIS SUMMER

Jean-Gabriel Pageau, forward

The New York Islanders concluded a rollercoaster of a season, losing to the Carolina Hurricanes in five games in the first-round of the playoffs. With their 2023-24 campaign now over, attention will shift to some changes that could be coming the team’s way in the off-season.

The most important decision comes at the top, with the future of GM Lou Lamoriello up for debate.

Presently, the Islanders’ ownership group has not determined if a change at the GM position is forthcoming, though it is believed Lamoriello is not under contract for the 2024-25 season – however, sources have told TFP their working dynamic is different than most clubs.

Lamoriello was named the President of Hockey Operations on May 22, 2018 and later assumed the GM role on June 5, 2018.

Assuming he stays, Lamoriello will be tasked with putting together a more competitive roster for next season.

Forwards, and fan favourites, Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck, and defencemen Mike Reilly, Robert Bortuzzo and Sebastian Aho are all set to become unrestricted free agents July 1. The Islanders are not expected to retain the three blueliners, while the futures of Clutterbuck and Martin are up in the air.

There is speculation that Clutterbuck, 36, could hang up his skates, while Martin, 34, may return on a smaller deal.

With just under $6.3 million in salary cap space going into next season, the Islanders could look to move out some bodies in order to fill other needs on the roster.

Forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau and defenceman Scott Mayfield were the subject of trade speculation this season and that could carry out into the summer, however Mayfield owns a full no-trade clause, while Pageau has a 16-team trade list as part of his contract.