Islanders Trade Deadline Takeaways

Islanders President and General Manager Lou Lamoriello met with the media on Monday afternoon following the expiration of the NHL Trade Deadline to share his thoughts and insights regarding the Islanders' acquisitions.
In total, the Islanders added
forwards Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac
in a trade with New Jersey in advance of the deadline last Wednesday. And late on Sunday night, on the eve of Monday's 3 p.m ET deadline, the Islanders acquired defenseman Braydon Coburn in a trade with Ottawa.
Here are takeaways from the moves the Islanders made at this year's trade deadline:

IMPORTANCE OF VETERANS

With the three additions of Palmieri, Zajac and Coburn, it was evident that Lamoriello and the Islanders management wanted to add experienced veterans to the group.
Zajac (1,027), Coburn (980) and Palmieri (598) have combined for 2,605 regular-season games played. Both Zajac and Coburn - who have history as former teammates for Team Canada at the 2009 World Championships - have extensive playoff experience and each have made at least one trip to the Stanley Cup Final.
Coburn, who has been to three Stanley Cup Finals, has the insight of what it means to go the distance as he was a member of last season's Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning. Lamoriello said Coburn will play a supporting role with the Islanders, adding a big, left-handed shot to the depth chart.
And while experience was a crucial aspect when considering potential acquisitions, Lamoriello has stressed repeatedly the importance of maintaining the tight-knit chemistry the Islanders have established in their dressing room. It's no surprise that the three additions to the Islanders all have upstanding reputations for their exceptional character.
"I don't think you can ever have enough experience," Lamoriello said. "Especially when they're quality people and they're great teammates."
Lamoriello highlighted the admirable choice Coburn made coming off Tampa's Cup victory as proof of his character.
Ahead of the 2020-21 season and in facing the challenges of a flat cap, Coburn agreed to waive his no-trade clause to join Ottawa and allow Tampa to work out some of its negotiations with its restricted and unrestricted free agents. Lamoriello said Coburn is the type of player who knows and accepts his role, so he should easily fit into the Islanders team-first mentality.
"The reputation [Coburn] has just proceeds itself as far as a teammate," Lamoriello said. "Just looking at him making a decision when Tampa was in a cap problem to waive his trade clause - has a no trade clause - he had to waive it to come here to help out the team that he helped win a Stanley Cup. I think that says something about his character."
And with Coburn, who spent eight seasons playing with Philadelphia (2006-14), and former Devils Palmieri and Zajac, there's extensive knowledge among the trio regarding the East Division competition and opponents.

COBURN IS EN ROUTE

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Upon receiving the news late last night, Coburn was already able to pack up and began his journey to Long Island from Ottawa, according to Lamoriello. While neither Palmieri or Zajac had to quarantine, due to the proximity of their commute from the Tri-State area, Coburn crossed the Canadian border and thus, will have to observe a brief quarantine period out of precaution for COVID-19.
"He has left Ottawa, he's driving here," Lamoriello said. "He will have to satisfy the New York quarantine, which means it will be anywhere between four and five days depending on testing. He's been tested every day. He was tested this morning before he left. Once he gets here, he'll be tested during quarantine. If everything comes out OK, he'll be able to start participating."

PROSPECT PIPELINE INTACT

What the Islanders gave up in order to acquire Palmieri, Zajac and Coburn didn't subtract any of the players off their current roster, which is neck-and-neck with Washington for first place in the division. The Islanders AHL affiliate the Bridgeport Sound Tigers is budding with upcoming talent nearly half of its 2020-21 roster is made up of recent draftees.
"We're quite happy with the big picture," Lamoriello said. "We've always said that you have a five year plan and that changes every day. It depends on how your team performs during the year and where you feel you can possibly go and you try and maintain as many of your quality prospects that you can. We're extremely fortunate here if you look at the people that we have between our NHL roster, our taxi squad and two, three, maybe four prospects in the minor that we feel will play in the NHL. I think it's pretty good."

UPDATES ON GOLYSHEV AND SALO

Lamoriello provided updates on two of the Islanders prospects, Russian forward Anatolii Golyshev and Finnish defenseman Robin Salo, who recently signed with the organization.
Golyshev, who the Islanders selected in the fourth round (95th overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft,
signed a one-year, two-way deal for the 2020-21 season on March 19
. The winger spent the last eight seasons playing with Avtomobilist in the KHL and is in the process of coming over to the United States from Russia.
"Right now, Golyshev] is in the process of getting his final papers," Lamoriello said. "He will be coming over and will go right to the American [Hockey
with the organization on Feb. 12, 2021.