Isles President and GM Lou Lamoriello spoke on Isles acquisition Calum Ritchie and addressed Nelson’s departure on Saturday in San Jose
When New York Islanders President and GM Lou Lamoriello met with the media on Saturday afternoon, he explained that the objective surrounding the NHL Trade Deadline and coming months is to shape a younger team, while maintaining a competitive edge.
The major move for the Islanders was acquiring 2023 27th overall pick Calum Ritchie, along with a 2026 or 2027 first-round pick and a conditional 2028 third-round pick from the Colorado Avalanche. The haul came at the price of longtime Islander Brock Nelson, who was finishing the final season of his contract with the Isles. Lamoriello kept the rest of the group intact.
“We wanted to go in such a way that you don’t lose the competitiveness and the opportunity to win today, but to get towards the best possible [team] you can, Lamoriello said.
Receiving a highly-touted prospect in return was a priority for Lamoriello. Ritchie already has some NHL experience, as the center played seven games for the Avs this season where he scored his first NHL against the Islanders on Oct. 14.
The 20-year-old from Oakville, ON, is in his fourth and final season with the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League. Ritchie has 68 points (15G, 53A) through 43 games this season.
When in discussions with other teams, it was important for Lamoriello to receive a high-quality player – specifically a center – who can join the NHL team in the near future. Lamoriello also touched on filling the void of Nelson, whose reliable defensive game and offensive prowess was valuable to the Isles for the 12 seasons he was with the team. Nelson led the team in goals for five consecutive seasons and was tied for the team lead of 43 points at the time of his departure.
“We had to get back a top prospect,” Lamoriello said. “Any of the teams that we talked to, it had to be their top prospect. And I feel very fortunate for the organization that we were able to get a quality player who plays that position and is able to basically come right into the lineup.”
Lamoriello said the plan is for Ritchie to finish the season in the OHL, hopefully experiencing a deep playoff run with the Generals, before attending Islanders rookie camp and training camp in the fall.
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“Hopefully [Ritchie] goes through the whole Memorial Cup run, so he’s playing as long as he can, but we will not burn the year on him,” Lamoriello said.
Lamoriello explained that the Avalanche limited Ritchie’s NHL games to seven this year, to avoid burning a year on his entry-level contract (If a player dresses in 10 or more games it counts as a qualifying year in an ELC.) Lamoriello is excited about the caliber of Ritchie and his NHL readiness.
In terms of contract discussions, Lamoriello was unapologetic about intending to keep Brock, revealing that the Islanders offered him an extension but they could not come to an agreement. He had to make the decision that’s best for the organization. Nelson had an emotional interview with MSG’s Shannon Hogan on Tuesday night after a 3-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets, in what marked his last game as an Islander but it wasn’t decided at the time.
“Brock wanted to stay,” Lamoriello said. “I think that Shannon did a great job post-game. I saw where his heart was. But this is still a business. That was the decision, we respect and understand it, and we have to do what’s best for the organization. That’s what I feel we did.”
Nelson’s 901 career games played with the Islanders ranks fourth in franchise history, while his 547 points are in fifth and his 295 goals are fifth in the record books.
“When it comes down to making decisions, it’s about what’s going to make the team better. There’s no sediment involved, no loyalty as far as when it comes to the business aspect and vice-versa. That’s why there’s no hard feelings when a player leaves. You wish them the best.”
