Although from the sounds of it, Lamoriello did not want to trade Nelson, the Islanders GM has a history of setting prices for places. He was notorious for that when he was the New Jersey Devils GM. Reports are that he offered Nelson,

Lou Lamoriello did not give off the sense of someone satisfied with how the trade deadline went when he spoke to reporters before the Islanders beat the Sharks 4-2 on Saturday. Though happy with the return,

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Lou Lamoriello understands the urgency for the Islanders to get “younger and better.” The Islanders president/general manager just did not believe that could be done properly prior to Friday’s NHL trade deadline without depleting what he feels is a team that is still a playoff contender.

The Islanders selected Nelson 30th overall in 2010 and he came up alongside many still in the organization such as Lee and Casey Cizikas as well as defensemen Adam Pelech, Ryan Pulock and Scott Mayfield.

The record says it, the standings say it and the Islanders’ play on the ice Monday shouted it to the pinwheel ceiling at the Garden: Sell, sell, sell.

There’s also the matter of Lamoriello’s loyalty to his crew. He only traded Nelson for that good return because Nelson rebuffed several contract offers, likely in the three-year range. If Lamoriello had his way, no one would have been traded this week and the Islanders would have brought the entire gang back for another go in 2025-26.