NY Islanders Not Interested In Bringing Back Two Players

After a total of 24 years combined as New York Islanders veterans, it appears that a pair of unrestricted free agents, Cal Clutterbuck and Matt Martin, will not be returning to the Island.

That's the indication from GM Lou Lamoriello, per Ethan Sears of the New York Post:

We’ll probably be moving on. That isn’t saying things can’t change. We’re talking about two veterans, two quality individuals. Two team leaders and two real good hockey players, so we’ll have to see how things come about. But we haven’t changed our thought process today any different than the last time we spoke.

And that 'last time' he spoke to Sears about the pair, back at the Draft in late June, he didn't sound positive at all about either of the fourth-liners returning.

Lamoriello said just about the same thing earlier this week, as well, in speaking with The Athletic:

"The door never closes on any player that’s been in the organization for the number of years they’ve been,” said Lamoriello. “(But) They know the situation we have; we’ve communicated with them. As far as plans going forward, it’s no different than at the end of [this past season] for us.”

Which is: they're looking to get younger and remodel the offense. They signed free agent Anthony Duclair this summer, a 24-goal scorer last season, as well as top European free agent, KHL star Maxim Tsyplakov.

Martin, 35, and Clutterbuck, 36, are 7th and 12th, respectively, in games played in Islanders franchise history, Martin having spent 13 of his 15 NHL seasons with the team, while Clutterbuck has spent the past 11 years on the Island.

"You never replace certain types of people, but you always have to move on at some point," concluded Lamoriello.