from Larry Brooks of the New York Post,

The Islanders have oodles of cap space, perhaps up to $34 million, but available money has never necessarily been known to burn a hole in this general manager’s pockets. How much will he ante up in order to prevent a well-respected captain from defecting for a second straight season? How much will he throw in the pot to keep Lehner, pulled through no fault of his own at 3:17 of the second period after Carolina scored twice in 66 seconds to grab a 3-1 lead and essentially put away the series. Will the GM go all in on Nelson, who had little in this series after an impressive performance against Pittsburgh?

And how will the team add more elite skill and additional polish to the grind? Will Lamoriello commit to a bidding war for the Blue Jackets’ impending free agent winger Artemi Panarin that will surely include the Rangers and Panthers?

Could he, would he, pull a loo-loo and offer-sheet Toronto’s Mitch Marner?

Another question: Will the players, so willing to sacrifice for the greater good following the defensive follies of the previous season, be as keen on grinding when the big bucks still go to people who can put numbers on the board?

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