Everyone has heard of the expression take “one step forward, and two steps back” including Lou Lamoriello and the Islanders. But the expression may be more than literary.
The 2018-19 season for the Islanders was one that will stick out in recent memory. The team had a remarkable season finishing with 103 points, returned to their rightful home of Nassau Coliseum and had home-ice advantage in the playoffs since the Soviet Union was around, just to name a few achievements.
But what if this season also had a negative consequence? Lamoriello stated that he wanted to set the Islanders up to succeed long term and not short term. After finishing with 103 points, the Islanders had the 23rd pick in the draft where they selected Swedish forward Simon Holmström.
While Holmström may produce for the Islanders, it won’t be for three to five years, and in a draft year where there were two players available that can make an impact right away, there is an argument that the Islanders and the other 29 not named the Devils or the Rangers missed out on an opportunity to pick a future producer.
Maybe that is what Lamoriello was trying to achieve in his first season with the club.
Looking at how he built the Maple Leafs, Lamoriello was probably trying to replicate that process through the draft. In 2015, Lamoriello and the Maple Leafs drafted Mitch Marner with the fourth overall selection and in 2016, Austin Mathews was selected the first overall selection.
So, was Lamoriello was trying to get a player like Jack Hughes or Kappo Kakko to help the Islanders recover from losing a player like John Tavares?
This isn’t to say, however, that this past season was horrible. I am sure that Lamoriello would gladly have given up a higher draft pick to have 103 points and make it to the second round, but Lamoriello’s eyes are still on pinpointed on the future.
The Islanders and Lou Lamoriello have a common denominator. For years, Garth Snow and the Islanders have built through the draft and the same goes for Lamoriello in his career. At the Trade Deadline, the Islanders stood pat, opting not to part ways with a prospect for short-term success. That trend could continue,
Don’t be surprised if even after a successful season, the Islanders are still sticking to their five-year plan.

David Lazar