Islanders Sign Former First-Round Pick Liam Foudy To Bolster Forward Depth

On the day the New York Islanders ' AHL club announced their opening night opponent, the team signed two names to bolster the depth in Bridgeport.

Forwards Liam Foudy and Tyce Thompson signed two-way contracts with the club on Wednesday, bringing NHL experience to the team's top minor league affiliate.

Foudy, a former first-round pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets, split time between them and the Nashville Predators this past season.

The left-handed centerman totaled three assists in 12 games with Nashville and added 10 goals and 16 assists for 26 points in 28 games for the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL.

In 102 NHL games lifetime, he has seven goals and 15 assists for 22 points.

What Foudy is largely renowned for is his speed.

In a conversation with the Predators' The Hockey News correspondent Ann Kimmel, Blue Jackets writer Jason Newland said, "Foudy is a great skater and very fast. He has good hands and can control the puck with ease. With the talent he has, he should be able to put up some good scoring numbers if given the opportunity."

Foudy was non-tendered by the Predators, a decision made by former Islanders head coach Barry Trotz .

When his deal expires, he will be a restricted-free agent.

Thompson, a right winger, was acquired by the Islanders from the New Jersey Devils in an early-season trade in exchange for forward Arnaud Durandeau.

In 51 games with Bridgeport, he added three goals and 11 assists for 14 points.

He's skated in 11 career NHL games, tallying a lone helper.

He is also the son of former Bridgeport bench boss Brent Thompson, who left the Islanders organization to join the Anaheim Ducks coaching staff ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.

Related: Islanders Acquire Long Island Native Tyce Thompson from Devils for Durandeau

Tyce was not qualified by the Islanders but will remain with the organization. When the deal is up, he will be an unrestricted free agent.

Both deals will carry a $775,000 NHL cap hit, with Foudy making $225,000 at the AHL level and Thompson making $175,000.

The Bridgeport Islanders open their season on October 12th against the Providence Bruins at Total Mortgage Arena.

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