The Importance Of These Final Two Games Before The 2025 NHL Trade Deadline
It's not just about the Islanders getting as close to a playoff spot.
The New York Islanders have two games left before the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline. By no means are they in an ideal standings position, sitting five points back of the second wild-card spot with six teams in their way.
It may seem crazy to think that these two games drastically impact general manager Lou Lamoriello’s deadline decisions, but they likely do.
If the Islanders find a way to win both of these games, and the teams ahead of them lose, there’s a chance the Islanders will be one point back of a wild-card spot come Friday.
“So, you’re telling me there’s a chance.”
If that becomes the reality, there’s little chance the Islanders sell pending unrestricted free agents Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri.
The belief is that both players want to be back. The question is, do both take team-friendly deals to return?
After seeing Gustav Nyquist get a 2026 second-round pick and Seth Jones get moved for a 2027 first-round pick and goaltender Spencer Knight, Nelson and Palmieri’s value seem relatively high. So, don’t be shocked if Nelson and Palmieri get more than anyone thinks if Lamoriello elects to sell.
A portion of the fan base — they may be the majority at this point — thinks the Islanders must sell regardless and that winning any of these next two games could jeopardize the organization's future.
However, Lamoriello is a secretive man who works off leverage.
Even if the entire NHL thinks he should sell, which I believe they do, until he says those words, he’s not open for business.
NHL insider Pierre LeBrun said the other day, that Lamoriello and Nelson are holding up the trade market. Teams are either going to start to pivot or they are going to sweat it out and hope that Nelson becomes available at some time before the 3 PM ET deadline on March 7.
And the closer the Islanders get to a wild-card spot, the more power Lamoriello may have. Why?