Islanders Mailbag: Danny Nelson Discussion, Lou Lamoriello's Role
A New York Islanders offseason mailbag covering Danny Nelson, potential roster changes, trade targets, Lou Lamoriello’s current role, and what could be next for the Islanders this summer.
With the season in the rearview mirror, Free Friday is shifting into offseason mode—with a weekly New York Islanders mailbag where your questions take center stage.
And don’t get it twisted: just because the games have stopped doesn’t mean things are slowing down here.
From exclusive interviews and insider intel to in-depth columns and behind-the-scenes access, The Elmonters isn’t going anywhere—keeping that Islanders pulse alive all summer long.
Here’s my latest interview with former Islanders head coach Barry Trotz on Brock Nelson, who was named a Selke Trophy finalist, and my chat with Sydney Martin on living with Matthew Schaefer.
Before we get to your questions, the Islanders announced on Thursday that prospect Danny Nelson (2023, No. 49) was joining Team USA for the 2026 IIHF World Championships.
Following his junior season at the University of Notre Dame, Nelson had the opportunity to sign his three-year entry-level deal and turn pro. His ELC would not have started until 2027-28, meaning he would have needed to sign an ATO with Bridgeport, just like Cole Eiserman did.
Nelson does remain unsigned, but I’m told there’s no concern there. The plan remains for him to sign with the Islanders, who hold his rights through Aug. 15, 2027.
While Nelson may not project as a top-six NHL center, I view him as a Casey Cizikas replacement: a strong, responsible forward who can play on a top penalty kill.
As you are seeing in these playoffs, those players matter a heck of a lot.
Around the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline, I heard from a few sources that the St. Louis Blues liked a few Islanders prospects — one being the untouchable Kashawn Aitcheson and the other being Nelson.
Had the Islanders landed Jordan Kyrou or Robert Thomas, Nelson likely would have been a key piece in those talks, especially in a potential Kyrou deal.
My thinking, going forward, is that if Nelson’s camp ever voices a change of heart or isn’t 100% on the Islanders, then general manager Mathieu Darche would move the young forward by the 2027 NHL Draft.
I have zero reason to believe that would happen, and I think Nelson has a bright future on Long Island, I really do.
Ok, now to your questions, I promise.
What percentage would you say Darche buys out someone? Realistically, do you think we run back most of the same starters, with the exception of maybe Lee? (@631_isles)
Rosner: If the Islanders buy anyone out, it’s Ondrej Palat, who has one season remaining at $6 million annually. I broke each potential buyout contract down in a previous newsletter that I’ve linked right below:
In a quick summary, it’s not financially worth it for the Islanders to buy out Anthony Duclair or Pierre Engvall. I do think the Islanders will move Duclair, who has two seasons left at $3.5 million annually, and see his full no-trade clause become a 16-team modified on July 1. Given the two nightmarish seasons he’s had on Long Island, I think he’d be open to a change of scenery. When it comes to Engvall, who has four seasons left at $3 milloin annually, he either makes the team and plays in 2026-27 or they bury $1.225 million in Hamilton, leaving $1.775 million on the books.
There’s no question that Palat struggled when he came over from New Jersey. But, given his track record with Darche from Tampa — the biggest reason he was acquired, given what he did for the Lightning in the playoffs — I don’t see him being bought out, and I could very well see him playing on the Islanders’ fourth line come this fall. That’s where he looked at his best. The Islanders have a couple of wingers that will be vying for the fourth-line spots and extra forward spots.
As for upgrading the team, I don’t think you will see too much change, but it's hard to gauge as of today. I think we could see a change to the blue line and an addition to the Islanders’ top six, but both would likely have to come via hockey trades, given how slim the free agent market is.
We need goal scoring. If we have a winger who can score and create more offensive zone danger, this could take pressure off the defense. What about Jason Robertson back with his old coach? It costs too much, probably! Worth it, I don’t know your thoughts. (@deros81453)
Rosner: Every team could use goal scoring, and that’s the problem. The market for a player like that is astronomical, given how difficult it is to replace them. There’s no question the Islanders need to score more goals and spend more time in the offensive zone to alleviate pressure on the goaltending. Jason Robertson is a nice want, and yes, was coached by Pete DeBoer, the Islanders’ new bench boss.
Stars general manager Jim Nill said the other day that they want to make Robertson a member of the Stars for the rest of his career, and Robertson hasn’t stated he wanted to be elsewhere. I don’t think he’s going anywhere. I think the Islanders will chat with the Blues again about Kyrou. I’d expect there to be conversations with the San Jose Sharks about one of their forwards — potentially Victor’s brother William. Of course, Darche will call the Toronto Maple Leafs to see what’s up with Auston Matthews. I’d call the Philadelphia Flyers regarding Owen Tippett.
If the Islanders are serious about getting back into the playoffs next season, they need to add another legitimate scoring forward. I don’t think relying on Kyle Palmieri coming off a torn ACL, combined with Eklund potentially stepping into a full-time role, is enough — especially for a power play that still needs major improvement.
Can you find out/share how much power Lou still has with the Isles? Because "former" GMs don't usually hang around the team - much less go scout the team's AHL squad. And the Schenn/Palmieri moves felt all Lou. He obviously still has some sway, which is bad, but how much? (@AFootballFriend)
Rosner: When there were some rumors swirling around that Lamoriello was still involved, I was told that Lou had zero involvement in hockey operations and that he was staying on as an advisor to owner Scott Malkin. As for why Lou was in Bridgeport, everyone needs to remember that Lou is a legend in this game, whether you liked his moves or not throughout his Hall of Fame career. There’s no question that Darche values his input, the same way Darche values Julien Brisebois and other executives that he’s come to know over his time in the league.
Bouncing ideas off others isn’t illegal. But let’s be clear here. Darche makes all the calls.
There were reports that Lou had already signed Palmieri to a two-year extension worth $4.75 million annually before Darche took over. While I have no doubt Palmieri’s camp spoke to Lamoriello, I confirmed that the contract wasn’t finalized and that there were still negotiations to be completed before an extension was signed.
The Brayden Schenn trade will be questioned for a while, rightfully so, like any trade for an aging player that sees a first-round pick go back the other way — getting out of the Jonathan Drouin’s deal, worth $4.5 million annually, was a need.
To be fair to Lou, every time he made a trade-deadline move — Pierre Engvall is his only miss, and that’s only because of the contract he handed out — it was for a top-three name available that could help the team in the moment and for the foreseeable future: Palmieri, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, and Bo Horvat.
So, actually, the Schenn deal doesn’t fit Lou’s M.O.
As for Lou Lamoriello being in Bridgeport, that was likely more of a formality than anything else, considering his son, Chris Lamoriello, is the general manager of the Islanders’ AHL affiliate.
Was Mathieu Darche really going to make Lou sit by himself in a suite? Of course not.
Now, do I think it’s bad optics to have a former general manager — one who was let go because the organization felt it needed change — photographed sitting next to the new GM?
Yes, I do.
But this is also an extremely relationship-driven business, and Lamoriello remains one of the most respected figures in hockey circles. Darche valuing his perspective shouldn’t come as a surprise.
It’s also important to note that Lou was not present at practices or at games with Darche during the season.
Do you think Shabanov has a spot on the NHL roster next season? (@lostsin44)
Rosner: This is an interesting question. When Shabanov, who signed a one-year ELC out of the KHL, was being health-bombed more often than not, his coming back seemed very unlikely, even as a pending RFA. I was told ahead of the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline that Shabanov wasn’t pleased with the situation and that he was ready to be dealt if it meant a bigger role elsewhere. He wasn’t traded, which is a sign that the organization values him despite his lack of playing time this past season.
When DeBoer arrived, he played him and was very complimentary about what he saw. I’m sure that changed things a bit. The one concern I have for Shabanov, 5’8, is his inability to stay healthy. He was hit hard often and seemed to pay the price every time. He’s a pending RFA, and I think, given the way DeBoer wants to play, if he’s going to play, he’ll be back.
You've alluded to possible trades with Romanov. I was going to ask you about the coming glut at LD and how we can use it to fill our other holes. Better to move Romanov? Pelech? George? Aitcheson? What can we expect back in return for each of these? (@TuckonSports)
Rosner: I don’t think I’ve alluded to possible Alexander Romanov trades. I did write a story for The Hockey News regarding the 26-year-old’s contract and when his full no-trade clause kicks in — spoiler alert, it’s 2027, not this July.
Darche committed to the player last summer, and after sustaining a right-shoulder injury in mid-November that required surgery, his trade value is incredibly low. I don’t think he’s going anywhere. I think Adam Pelech, fresh off his first season playing in all 82 games, who has a modified 16-team no-trade clause with three seasons left on his deal, is more likely to go. He got back to Jaccob Slavin territory, in my opinion, with his play this season, before everyone struggled over the final few weeks.
With Romanov not being paid to be a bottom-pairing defenseman, DeBoer calling prospect Isaiah George an NHL defenseman, and Matthew Schaefer’s rocket to stardom, along with Aitcheson being crowned OHL’s Defenseman of the Year, the Islanders have a surplus on the left side. Outside of Pelech being worth a first-round pick at least, I don’t think the value is where it’s at to move any of the other guys listed. Also, as mentioned, Aitcheson is deemed untouchable.
SIGN YOUR CHILD UP FOR THE MATT MARTIN HOCKEY ACADEMY CAMP:
Pelech to SJ for their 2nd 1st rounder, the Oilers pick, would be a great move. Free up cap space and add another 1st round talent.
Mr. Darche Cook 👨🍳! We are tired of Leftovers!