Former Islanders and Rangers executives aren't too pleased with the Islanders' offseason moves with the NHL season just around the corner.
Neil Smith, who infamously built the Rangers to a Stanley Cup victory in 1994 and served just 40 days as the Long Island general manager before being fired by former Isles owner Charles Wann, believes the Islanders are “stagnant” after a relatively quiet offseason.
Smith was discussing the Islanders on the “NHL Wraparound Podcast,” which he co-hosts, and made the comments during a Metropolitan Division preview episode.
“I don't think this team has improved at all,” Smith said. “I don't think they've improved. I think they've stagnated, to be honest with you.”
The Islanders had a relatively quiet offseason under Lou Lamoriello, who is in his seventh season as general manager, with their biggest addition being the signing of free agent forward Anthony Duclair to a four-year, $14 million contract.
Even that addition seemed to raise some questions for Smith.
“Duclay got a four-year contract from Lue, which I was surprised by because like I said at the beginning with the Islanders, Anthony Duclair is on his ninth team in 11 years,” the former NHL executive said. “When you go to a team and you're not re-signed and you get moved to the next team, something's going on. I don't know what it is, I don't know the kid, but something's going on.”
He wasn't completely against the deal, instead taking a bit of a wait-and-see approach to Duclair while Smith continues to consider adding him.
The former Islanders GM acknowledged that Lamoriello has long had a reputation for being “very conservative” during the offseason, but suggested the Islanders could still finish third in the division again.
“The good news for the Islanders is they're not doing very well in the division,” Smith said.
The Isles finished third in the metro last year and reached the playoffs, but were eliminated in the first round by the Carolina Hurricanes.
The Islanders have made the playoffs in five of Lamoriello's six seasons at the helm, but lost in the first round the past two years and missed the playoffs entirely in 2022.
Patrick Roy, who took over as head coach midway through last season from Lane Lambert, will be spending his first full season behind the bench this year.
