Lamoriello Offers Updates Ahead of 2023 NHL Draft

On the eve of the NHL Draft, Islanders President and General Manager spoke to a group of reporters in Nashville, giving some insights on various Islanders-related topics.

On Zach Parise

Zach Parise's future is in his hands and the veteran forward has not yet determined if he'll return for next season.

The 38-year-old forward said it'll be New York or nowhere during the team's locker clean out day at the end of the season. Parise is coming off a 21-goal, 34-point season with the Islanders, his second with the team. The durable winger has played in 82 games in each of the past two seasons.

"He has not made his mind up, one way or the other and we understand that," Lamoriello said.

Parise has 879 points (429G, 450A) in 1,224 games in his 18-year NHL career.

Parise is one of four pending unrestricted free agents on the Islanders, along with forward Pierre Engvall, defenseman Scott Mayfield and goaltender Semyon Varlamov. Lamoriello reiterated his desire to bring back all four pending UFAs.

On Cory Schneider

Cory Schneider's tenure in the Islanders organization appears to be over, as Lamoriello said the veteran netminder is expected to play in Europe next season.

Schneider spent the past three seasons in the Islanders organization, spending a year on the team's taxi squad in 2020-21, while playing in AHL Bridgeport in each of the past two seasons. Schneider helped lead Bridgeport to a playoff series win in 2021, the team's first playoff series win in 19 years. Schneider was 33-23-10 in parts of three seasons with Bridgeport.

The 37-year-old netminder appeared in one game for the Islanders on Apr. 3, 2022, a 4-3 win over the New Jersey Devils, his first game and win since Mar. 6, 2020 with the Devils.

"It's my understanding that he's going to go to Europe," Lamoriello said. "I'm not sure if that's been confirmed, but I spoke to him and he's just going to pass on the process of getting back to the National Hockey League and play in Europe."

On the Draft

Lamoriello said he doesn't anticipate the Islanders trading into the first round of

Wednesday's NHL Draft

, but channeled Lloyd Christmas, saying there's always a chance.

The Islanders first pick is 49th overall, but the Isles GM said his scouts have echoed the sentiment that it's a deep draft.

"It's deep from everything I've seen and heard," Lamoriello said.

On John Collins

Lamoriello also offered his thoughts on John Collins, who joined the team as Co-Owner, Operating Partner, and Alternate Governor.

"It's a great addition," Lamoriello said. "John was in the National Hockey League. I've certainly got to know him extremely well and worked with him in a lot of different situations. And I certainly was extremely pleased with how all of this worked out and that's exactly what he'll be doing, he'll be handling the business operation, overseeing it. As far as our interaction or relationship, in whatever way we can make things better, we'll do that."