It sure sounded nice when Lou Lamoriello came out and said how much he believes in this Islanders group, and how, as team president, not making any moves before the Feb. 25 trade deadline was his vote of confidence. Oh, the players ate it up, reveling in their first-place standing and the slack-jawed reactions of those around the league looking up at them.
But the biggest question was one that went unanswered: Lamoriello believes in them to do what exactly? Win a Stanley Cup?
Because that is the only goal that exists. Either a team is trying to win this year, or it is building to win in the future.