This is another reason why this "reboot" is coming at a good time, and why it is incredibly stupid to buy anyone out at the moment. Because all 1st and second year players are exempt and no one on the current roster will have a NMC, Lou can protect players in a way that directs Seattle to likely take a bad contract without having to give up draft picks.
Further, because the Islanders will be in position to make trades, add salary and protect players they can take advantage of anyone that was in our position last time around. Anyone with two good goaltenders could be targets, teams with many good defensemen (Carolina, Nashville). This lines up with my belief that Lou is looking at a one-two year turnaround with this being a transitional year and 20-21 getting back to being a 100pt team.