The New York Islanders are stuck at the bottom of the Eastern Conference and, in theory, should be sellers at the March 7 trade deadline. General manager Lou Lamoriello, however, is not ready to throw in the towel just yet.

The Islanders’ president of hockey operations and general manager conveyed a lack of worry about the direction his team is headed.

Patrick Roy was a pending unrestricted free agent when the Hall of Fame goalie forced a trade from the Canadiens on Dec. 6, 1995, and ultimately led his new team, the Avalanche, to the Stanley Cup in 1996. He then signed a three-year, $14 million deal to stay with Colorado.

By trading Nelson and Palmieri, the Islanders would finally acknowledge that this core no longer has what it takes to contend.

Two months out from the NHL’s trade deadline, selling off assets is “not even a thought” in the mind of Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello. That is in keeping with his history, and the Islanders waking up Thursday morning in 15th place in the 16-team Eastern Conference — with Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri both on expiring contracts — is not enough to change things as of now.