The New York Islanders’ season is long gone and it’s best to accept this now than to be hurt later on when they are mathematically eliminated.

There’s little sand left in the hourglass that spells the demise of general manager Garth Snow and company.

Coming into 2017, there was some belief that the New York Islanders could do it, that they could make a Cinderella run despite steep odds against them.

They had scored four or more goals in four consecutive games, and it seemed that everyone was on a roll offensively. What has happened since, is all of that hope simultaneously dying.

The Islanders lost to the Colorado Avalanche in overtime, the Arizona Coyotes in a shootout and against the Florida Panthers at home in regulation. All losses were by the score of 2-1.

Now sitting firmly in the cellar of the Metropolitan Division and behind by 10 points for the second wild card, the Islanders need to recognize that they must turn their attention to the future.

This year may be ruined for the Islanders, but there are ways to improve team matters for 2017-2018.

These are five things that MUST be addressed from now until puck drop to start the 2017-2018 season.

1) Jaroslav Halak must be traded

What a difference a year makes, or two, for that matter.

Jaroslav Halak, the former All-Star, and Islanders starter will likely spend the rest of the season in the AHL after being waived after a brutal loss to the Wild.

Despite playing for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the AHL, Halak’s $4.5 million salary will remain on the Islanders payroll and that’s something that needs to be removed ASAP.

Halak has been vocal on his displeasure with the organization and has not handled this season well at all. Halak finished his NHL stint with the Isles with a .904 save percentage and a 3.23 GAA, some of the worst starting goalie stats in the NHL.

If they manage to get Halak off the books, that’s $4.5 million the (hopefully) new GM can use to finally get a steady winger for John Tavares.

With Thomas Greiss playing as well as he has and youngster JF Berube‘s role growing with the team, it seems that Halak’s time with the Islanders has come to an end.

2) The Islanders MUST find Tavares a winger 

This is directly tied to trading Halak, but in itself needs to be a goal set by the GM of the Islanders.

For what will be eight years in 2017, the Islanders have not found a consistent winger for their superstar forward. John Tavares is a world-class player in the eyes of Islanders fans who know him and study his game more extensively than others.

However, that status is questioned around the league. Tavares has never won a piece of hardware despite being nominated for the hart trophy in two of the past four seasons and losing the Art Ross in 2015 by a single point.

This is due nearly entirely because of the incompetent cast of rotating wingers around him. Tavares lacks his Chris Kunitz, he doesn’t have a Patrick Kane to match his Jonathan Toews.

With the Avalanche reaching the point of “FIRE SALE” it would be in the Islanders #1 interest to ensure their superstar has reason to stay past the 2017-2018 season.

Despite Tavares continuing to double down on his promise to remain an Islander, it’s often disputed how much he can take in terms of the lack of structure surrounding him.

Matt Duchene makes too much sense for the Islanders to pass up on him.

As mentioned in a previous piece, Duchene is a versatile player who is capable of playing left wing and center, and he’s a center who is defensively responsible in his own zone.

Acquiring Duchene would likely quell what doubts Tavares has about the team in regards to their status in the future.

3) Trade expansion-eligible players

Trimming the fat, so to say.

It’s no secret that the Islanders will likely get picked apart in the upcoming NHL expansion draft.

Former Islanders executive George McPhee was named first-ever GM of the Vegas Golden Knights in the summer.

McPhee only spent one year with the Islanders in 15-16 but he knows the players well enough to know who would fit in his vision for the Knights and a reliable pick offensively or defensively can really help his team.

Prime targets from the Islanders to be selected in the draft include Thomas Hickey, Calvin deHaan and Ryan Pulock.

The Islanders will likely look to keep Pulock, so realistically deHaan and Hickey are the two odd-men-out when it comes to players who are to be retained.

A viable suitor for the excess defense will likely be sent out if a trade is made for Tavares’ winger. Colorado is in need of defense and would likely relish an opportunity to strengthen their blue line with young defensemen.

4) Let the kids play

This is one that seems like a no-brainer at this point. With the season all but lost, it would make sense to start taking a look at the available assets.

When rookie Matthew Barzal stayed up from the minors in the beginning of the season, fans were excited to see the next generation of players.

But as quickly as he came, Barzal was sent back down after only playing two games.

The Islanders essentially waived PA Parenteau and his 40 or so points to ice Barzal for two games.

Awesome.

The first step in player development for the Isles should be making Shane Prince, Anthony Beauvillier, and Michael Dal Colle regulars in the lineup for the rest of the season.

Dal Colle is the only player of the first round in the 2014 draft who has yet to play an NHL game. This, on top of making Beauvillier’s presence inconsistent in the lineup, has only hurt his development as an NHL regular.

Making the lineup younger and faster is the key to success in the modern NHL. Giving the youngsters a look early will help the Isles gauge their core going into next season.

5) A new front office

Firstly, it’s important that the current regime is thanked for their service to the Islanders.

The organization finally won their first playoff series in 23 years last season and it was the result of an 11-year tenure from Garth Snow and a now six-year tenure from Head Coach Jack Capuano.

However, it is my belief that management is hired with an expiration date, and it seems that time may have run its course with the current members.

With majority owner Jon Ledecky avidly searching for the right person to take the “Team President” role from Snow, it is likely that with the new position will come a change in management.

The Islanders had piled on expectations this season they simply did not meet, and it stems as a result of the 2016 offseason and a mismanagement of players on the roster.

There are certain options the fanbase has wanted to explore ranging anywhere from Bob Hartley to Travis Green. Either route the new Team President decides to take will likely be the best option for the Islanders moving forward.

Either way, it’s time to give management some new faces and then some.