Five questions for the Islanders this offseason

This will be the Islanders’ longest offseason since their last season under former general manager Garth Snow and coach Doug Weight ended on April 7, 2018. That offseason, of course, was incredibly hectic with Lou Lamoriello brought in as president and GM, Barry Trotz hired as coach and John Tavares leaving via free agency.

This offseason, after the first playoff miss of the Lamoriello/Trotz era, also promises to be hectic.

Five offseason questions facing the Islanders:

How to assess this season?

There are two possibilities. The first is the Islanders’ inconsistent play was a function of a disruptive schedule — too few games over the first three months, way too many games over the last two and a half months — and roster challenges caused by COVID-19. Or was the inconsistent play indicative of an aging team that didn’t play fast enough for today’s NHL? The likelihood is it was a combination. Lamoriello has shown a tremendous loyalty to this group. But he probably needs to put aside some of those loyalties this offseason to improve the team.

How to reconstruct the backend?

Lamoriello traded Devon Toews and Nick Leddy in successive offseasons because of salary-cap considerations and, not surprisingly, the Islanders did not have enough puck-moving defensemen this season. The Islanders blue-line corps will get an overhaul with Zdeno Chara, 45, and Andy Greene, 39, not returning. Noah Dobson, reaching 50 points in his third NHL season, is an emerging star and Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock are solid as a top pair. Scott Mayfield will enter the final season of a team-friendly five-year, $7.25 million deal. Can the Islanders afford to keep him from unrestricted free agency? If not, does he become a trade rental? Top prospects Robin Salo and Samuel Bolduc will get looks in training camp but it’s no sure thing either is ready to become a full-time NHL player. The free agent market isn’t particularly deep for defensemen — Leddy redux? — but maybe the Islanders make a play for the Stars’ John Klingberg.

What other moves can be made?

The Islanders need more consistent scoring from their wings and, perhaps, need to shake up their roster a bit. Speedy Anthony Beauvillier might make an attractive trade chip. Josh Bailey does not have any trade protection but does have two more seasons left on his six-year, $30 million deal. The Islanders seem inclined to keep goalie Semyon Varlamov, who has a 16-team, no-trade list, for the final season of his four-year, $20 million deal.

When, or if, to open negotiations with Mathew Barzal?

This, likely, may end up being more of a question for next offseason. But it’s crucial the Islanders define their long-term plans for their marquee forward if, indeed, the organization, or Barzal, for that matter, wants it to be a long-term relationship. The 24-year-old, elite-skating playmaker, who lost his spot as the Islanders’ No. 1 center to Brock Nelson, will be entering the final season of a three-year, $21 million deal and will be an impending restricted free agent with arbitration rights. Either the Islanders offer a bridge deal to unrestricted free agency or broach a seven- or eight-year deal with a salary-cap charge likely well above Barzal’s current $7 million hit. But if the Islanders determine they are not comfortable in that investment, do they explore trade options now?

What is the shelf life for Lamoriello and Trotz?

Again, this is probably more of a question for next offseason. But with Lamoriello turning 80 on Oct. 21 — though he could pass for somebody 15-20 years younger and has shown no drop in energy or enthusiasm — and Trotz believed to be entering the final season of a five-year contract, how long they stick together as the Islanders’ braintrust is a legitimate question. Trotz, who turns 60 on July 15, has talked about needing to rest and recharge this offseason. He has coached consecutively in the NHL since 1998 and that does take a heavy toll. Lamoriello has been an NHL executive since 1987. His son, Chris, an Islanders’ assistant GM, would be a logical choice as the team’s next GM. And might Trotz’s longtime lieutenant, Lane Lambert, finally get his first NHL head coaching gig eventually succeeding Trotz?

By Andrew Gross

andrew.gross@newsday.comAGrossNewsday

Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.