NY Islanders

[claremont]

Another slow off season post prior to the draft as the Islanders get knocked out. Who knows if GM Lou Lamourello is signed for another season. With only a 2nd round pick and $6.912M of cap room, the Islanders may have a tough battle to substantially change their team and improve. Looking at their roster as presently constructed on Cap friendly as follows;

1) Forwards - Pretty well set and a few locked up long term with Barzal, Lee, Horvat, Czikas, Pageau, Palmeri - With the expected return of 40 point man or more Oliver Wahlstrom from Knee injury, and a full season of Horvat, the Islanders are pretty locked in at forward with 12+1. Wahlstrom probably gets some form of bridge deal in the $2M range so that will reduce the Islanders cap to $4.9

2) Defence - Lose Scott Mayfield to free agency but have a core 4 of 2 LHD, 2 RHD in Pelech / Romanov, and Pulock, Dobson - 5th LHD of Sebastian Aho, but practically speaking need 2 more D - Big LHD 6-4 Samuel Bolduc RFA who played in the playoffs probably gets $1M in a bridge deal - cap room down to $3.9M. Need 1 more. 

3) Goal - Sorokin locked in as the starter but no capable backup. Skarek from the AHL is not very strong. I could see the Islanders having minimal interest in a Primeau. They will need to get a capable back-up - cost $1.2M at best - reduces their cap space to $2.7M 

Islanders have little in the way of promising prospects. 5th round 2020 pick William Dufour put up 48 points in 69 games in the AHL so is probably another forward insurance is they go with 14 forwards. LHD Calle Odelius 65th overall 2022 is still in Sweden. At best I could see the Islanders having some interest in Joel Edmundson for a veteran defenseman if we retained salary at 50%, but then again maybe they resign Scott Mayfield at similar value.  I doubt they give up Dufour but maybe their 2nd round pick. Similarly could have some interest in a Jake Allen, but again not much cap room or assets to give up.