Some low-hanging fruit to fill in some holes.
The New York Islanders announced a few non-splash signings on the first day of free agency, mostly filling (or re-signing) depth needs but in one case at least adding a bit of intrigue.
The “headline” signing, if you’d call it that, is former 3rd-overall pick Jonathan Drouin, who has bounced around a bit but found his footing in Colorado playing with old junior buddy and Great Player Nathan MacKinnon.
While Mathew Barzal is of course not in MacKinnon’s class, he and Drouin both have dazzling hands that at least allow one to imagine some great connections. The Isles gave Drouin a two-year, $8 million deal, a considerable raise over last year’s $2.5M rate and probably more than most would’ve expected him to get. Isles GM Mathieu Darche should know Drouin’s dossier well having served in both of his former organizations (though Drouin went the opposite direction as Darche, from Tampa Bay to Montreal).
It’s an ultimately small commitment to a 30-year-old who should show high-end skill when healthy. The parts of his overall game that frustrated employers in the past have receded in recent years; the big concern and thing that has held back his production is injuries, including in 2024-25.
Meanwhile, the Islanders also:
- re-signed Tony DeAngelo (who joined mid-season after exiting the KHL) to a one-year contract
- added depth goalie David Rittich (previously of the Kings) to a one-year deal
- announced several two-way and AHL signings, including Ethan Bear on a two-way deal
DeAngelo had 19 points in 35 games with the Isles last season. There were no reported flare-ups to match his reputation as a goalie-punching soloist, and he provided mobility and a little offense from the right side of the blueline. With Noah Dobson gone, there is probably more opportunity for DeAngelo if he can seize it.
Bear was a solid NHL defensemen before dealing with depression and anxiety, which ultimately caused him to enter the Player Assistance Program while a member of the Capitals. He was back last season, though only with Washington’s AHL affiliate in Hershey, where he put up 46 points in 62 games. As a sidenote, he and Mathew Barzal go back to juniors in WHL Seattle.
Rittich is a journeyman goalie from the Czech Republic who’s had one standout year (.921, 2.15 in 2023-24) but has otherwise struggled to clear .900. But with Semyon Varlamov rehabbing and inherently uncertain, they needed someone with NHL experience who can frankly be waived if necessary without being an attractive claim.
Here’s the rest of the signings the Isles announced with Ethan Bear.