In the three years since Lou Lamoriello and Barry Trotz took over the New York Islanders, the team has won 28 playoff games, reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in back-to-back seasons. The Islanders culture changed from a laughing stock to a tight run ship with strict rules. With salary cap space for the first time in over a year, the Islanders can add to their team. Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog is reportedly unhappy and the two sides are far off in contract negotiations. With the two sides not on the same page, the question arises: can the Islanders make it work with Gabriel Landeskog?

Gabriel Landeskog is the captain of the NHL’s President Trophy winning Avalanche. As of right now, there is a decent chance Landeskog signs somewhere else.

Landeskog was drafted second overall by the Avalanche in 2011 and made captain by the team at 19-years-old. He has notched 512 points in 687 career games.

There have been reports of Landeskog being unhappy the Avalanche did not re-sign him months ago. According to The Athletic, Landeskog “would have liked his contract ‘to be done eight months ago, 10 months ago.'”

”’The uncertainty is something I’ve never dealt with,’ Landeskog said. ‘I’ve always known that come September, October, I’m going to pull on that Avs jersey. I can’t help but be honest with you that I’m a little bit disappointed that it’s gotten this far and it’s had to come to this point.'”

Landeskog reportedly has an interest in six teams, and the Islanders are one of those teams. According to Andy Strickland of Bally Sports Midwest, the Tampa Bay Lightning, Vegas Golden Knights, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Islanders, St. Louis Blues and Florida Panthers are the teams he is interested in.

Moreover, Landeskog and the Avalanche do not even appear to be in the same ballpark on salary. Landeskog is reportedly asking for a $9 to $10 million salary, while the Avalanche’s last offer came in much lower. While the Avalanche certainly are still the favorites to re-sign their captain, it’s anyone’s game.

Lou Lamoriello is famous for pulling bunnies out of hat. If anyone can pull off the impossible, it is two-time general manager of the year. With over $20 million in salary cap space once Johnny Boychuk’s contract is placed on long-term injured reserve, he can make it happen.

The Avalanche may feel that they have other needs they need to address. If they wanted to re-sign Landeskog, they would have prioritized his signing already. At this point into the offseason, it is more than clear Landeskog is up for grabs. The Islanders most certainly have a shot at the Swedish captain.

Now, they just have to make it happen.

Ethan Halle

Ethan is an Economics Major at the University of Florida looking to pursue a double major in Sports Management with a minor in political science.