The Islanders season officially came to an end on Friday when the Hurricanes beat the Islanders in overtime to advance to the conference semifinals. Now we move to the off-season, and look at the teams free agents, and potential free agent targets.
Who’s Running the Show?
General Manager Lou Lamoriello’s contract is up, and there have been no reports that he is being extended, and it begs the question, is it the changing of the guard? Some think Lamoriello will return, and I actually do not share the same sentiment. I believe Lamoriello will be back, just not as general manager. If the Isles want change, Lamoriello won’t be running everything, and neither will his son Chris, the current GM of the AHL Affiliate Bridgeport Islanders. We do not know when Lou Lamoriello and Lane Lambert will speak to the media, it’s important to know that last year, it was a week until they spoke to the media, when Barry Trotz was fired.
Does a new GM mean new Head Coach?
Some have called for the firing of Lane Lambert, especially because of how bad the Islanders power play unit was this year. 15.8% during the regular season, 30th in the NHL just 0.2% of Anaheim and Philadelphia. I don’t believe Lambert should be fired. But I feel if he doesn’t get the Isles back to the playoffs next year, he’ll get canned.
Unrestricted Free Agents
We’ll start with Goaltender Semyon Varlomov. Varlomov has stated that he wishes to re-sign with the Islanders this off-season, and that he may even give them a discount. Something the Isles have to be happy about. Varlomov has been very reliable for them the last few years and I believe he’ll be re-signed.
Contract Prediction: 3x$2
F Pierre Engvall
Next is Engvall, a midseason acquirement from Toronto, has been very good with the Isles in his short tenure with the team. He played great alongside Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmeri on that 2nd line, and the Isles should definitely look to bring him back. If he spent a full year with the Isles he probably finishes with 60+ points.
Contract Prediction: 3x$3
F Zach Parise
Parise had a nice year despite is age, putting up 20 goals while playing on the 3rd line. Unfortunately this may be the end of the road for Parise, who could enter free agency the same way Andy Greene did and that’s “Isles or nothing.” I believe the Isles will explore different options at the forward position and Parise won’t be apart of that next season.
F Hudson Fasching
Fasching was a nice spark for the Islanders this season when they needed it, being called up from Bridgeport and immediately producing, He is going to be apart of this team for the foreseeable future. He as already said that he wants to get a deal done and stay on Long Island.
Reported Contract Extension; 2x$775k
D Scott Mayfield
Mayfield has been very valuable for the Islanders in recent years, especially in the playoffs, but everyone’s sense is that his time with the Islanders is coming to an end, Mayfield was very inconsistent this season and that leads to him not being re-signed by the Islanders.
Key Restricted Free Agents:
F Oliver Wahlstrom
Wahlstrom didn’t get the chance to show us what he’s capable of this season, missing the majority of the season with an undisclosed lower-body injury, Wahlstrom never got the opportunity to play alongside Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat. He’s still a young player and I would be shocked if the Isles let him go, they’ll likely match an offer sheet for him.
D Samuel Bolduc
I expect Bolduc to be re-signed, he played fairly well during his limited opportunities in the regular season, despite his benching during the playoffs, I believe Bolduc has a very bright future on Long Island.
BS Reports 
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