After an exciting weekend in Las Vegas for the 2024 NHL Draft, NHL Free Agency begins today at 12 PM ET.
The New York Islanders haven't put themselves in the best situation financially, with only $5.8 million in available cap space, which doesn't include the money that will be going to their own pending free agents.
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Teams can go over the cap in the summer by 10 percent ($8.8 million), but it's a dangerous game to sign players and try to figure out money at a later date.
But if the Islanders are comfortable exceeding the cap, they theoretically have $14.6 million to work with.
If the Islanders do plan on going the free-agent route and not the "hockey trade" path, they will likely be looking to acquire a forward, as defenseman Mike Reilly and the Islanders are currently working on an extension.
Related: Islanders & Mike Reilly Working On Possible Extension
The Islanders could try to bolster their defense depth, but with Samuel Bolduc still on the roster and Sebastian Aho interested in returning, it's not a need.
A forward is a need.
Here are five cheaper forward options and their projected cap hit that the Islanders could have an interest in.
Jeff Skinner: The Buffalo Sabres bought out the final three years of Skinner's deal on Sunday, as he'll hit the open market after scoring 24 goals with 22 assists for 66 points in 74 games played. There will likely be many teams interested in a player who has played over 1,000 games yet but has never made the postseason. The 32-year-old is likely to sign a short-term deal, and if it's around $3 million annually, the Islanders should be interested as he can still score.
Jake DeBrusk: After requesting a trade to pulling that request, DeBrusk is finally leaving the Boston Bruins' organization. The 27-year-old has shown a goal-scoring potential, scoring 27 goals in 2022-23, but in a contract year, he only scored 19, which won't help his case. It does likely make him affordable, even though he is in his prime, potentially getting a $4 million annual deal on the market. It sounds like the Calgary Flames will be pushing really hard for him, but getting scoring depth is so important right now for the Islanders and he could be a solid addition.
Steven Stamkos: Yes, it seems very weird for Stamkos to be on a "cheap free agent list," but here we are. After being low-balled by the Tampa Bay Lightning, reportedly declining a long-term deal worth $3 million annually, Stamkos is looking for between $4 and $5 million. Despite being 34, Stamkos is still incredibly productive, potting 40 goals with 41 assists for 81 points in 79 games last season. He would be a perfect fit on the Islanders' top line and would also help a struggling power play.
Anthony Duclair: The 28-year-old is a winger that we've written about often here, as he played his junior hockey for Islanders head coach Patrick Roy. While he might not be the flashiest of names, he brings raw speed that fits the Islanders' new M.O. In a down year split between the San Jose Sharks and Tampa Bay Lightning, Duclair scored 24 goals with 18 assists for 42 points, with 15 points (eight goals, seven assists) in 17 games after joining Tampa following the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline. He's likely looking for a multi-year deal worth a tad under $5 million annually, but in the right spot, we could see him taking less.
Anthony Beauvillier: It was a tough calendar year for the former New York Islanders forward, as he was traded twice after starting the season with the Vancouver Canucks. The once top-six forward has become a bottom-six player, struggling to remain in lineups as he's lost his scoring touch. He scored just five goals with 12 assists for 17 points in 60 games, ending his season with the Nashville Predators. However, could a reunion be the best thing for him, and could he, at 27, rediscover his game in a familiar place? Bringing back Beauvillier would only make sense for New York if he's going to take a one-year prove-it deal of around $1 million (or less, maybe even a PTO if he goes unsigned).
Out of all the players on this list, Skinner seems the most likely and potentially the best bang-for-your-buck fit alongside Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal. Given that those two players can play strong defensively -- Barzal coming off the best defensive season of his career -- Skinner's lack of defensive play shouldn't be a concern as they'll rely on him for his speed up the ice.
Because of the Islanders' cap space situation, no one should be surprised if it's a quiet day for the Blue and Orange. But, these names above are certainly ones that would bolster the group, which needs goal-scoring help.
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