Isles Having busy first day of Free Agency

The New York Islanders entered Unrestricted Free Agency with a few deals that needed to get done. After trading Josh Bailey, the Islanders free up $5 million in cap space in order to retain the free agents. Lou showed up and did exactly what he said he was going to do at the draft.

F Pierre Engvall: 7-Year Extension, $3 Million AAV

Engvall was a must re-sign for Lou and co. this offseason. Engvall, a midseason acquisition from the Toronto Maple Leafs, played a huge part in the Isles success down the stretch and into the Postseason. Engvall slides perfectly on the Isles 2nd line alongside Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmeri, and Engvall came back for less than what he could have gotten on the open market in my opinion, a great re-signing for the Islanders.

G Semyon Varlomov: 4-Year Extension, $2.75 Million AAV

The Islanders and Varlomov knew going into free agency that they would eventually get a deal done for Varlomov to return to Long Island, we knew at the draft it would just be a matter of the contract itself. After reports of a 2 year deal, the Islanders extend Varlomov for 4 years, bringing him to his age 39 season. Varlomov will be the Islanders backup netminder to Ilya Sorokin for the next four years, who we will get to later.

D Scott Mayfield: 7-Year Extension, $3.5 Million AAV

Mayfield is the only one out of these free agents that i’m a little bit surprised that the Islanders opted to bring back. The market for defencemen this offseason is huge, and Mayfield went back to Long Island. And for a discount at that. Though they had to offer 7 years in order to lower the AAV, bringing back Scott Mayfield is a win-win for the Islanders, as they still have flexibility for other moves.

G Ilya Sorokin: 8-Year Extension, $8.25 Million AAV

Sorokin was a must for an extension this offseason, as one of the best goaltenders in the NHL, Sorokin was primed for a huge deal, and he got it. His 8-year deal will take him through the 2032 season as it kicks in next year, the Islanders with a clear no brainer here to keep your franchise goaltender around.

Trade Target: Ottawa’s Alex DeBrincat

Earlier today, it was reported that the Islanders are seriously in talks with the Senators for F Alex DeBrincat. DeBrincat, 25, a pending RFA, has requested out of Ottawa. And the Islanders have the assets to get a deal done. And Lou Lamoriello even teased a trade at his presser, saying that “A hockey trade” could potentially be in the works.