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Good Morning, Islanders Country.
For all intents and purposes, the season is over except for the games, but that doesn’t mean the games won’t impact how the season will be remembered - and, more importantly, how they could affect next season.
We may think GM Lou Lamoriello is a safe bet to return, and we may believe that if Lou is back, so will Patrick Roy as head coach. Still, I wonder just how much the way the team finishes the season will impact majority owner Scott Malkin's decision-making. The Isles have branded themselves as a resilient, hard-working team throughout this turbulent season. As recently as two games ago, Roy said he loves the team giving him everything they've got.
Even if that’s true and remains true (Anthony Duclair notwithstanding), if this team, losers of six straight, finishes the season losing 10 or 11 of their last 14 games, could that alter whatever Malkin’s current thinking is? I think it may.
After the trade deadline, Lamoriello looked into the cameras and told us that the team could still make the playoffs. If they don’t just miss the playoffs but come closer to last place in the East than they do a playoff spot, why should ownership entrust this current front office to turn things around? They may not.
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