The New York Islanders have seen a mass exodus of their free-agent AHLers head overseas this summer.
For many teams, seeing prospects or once promising players depart from the organization would be classified as a sure negative and a player development failure.
Sure, the Islanders have struggled to develop their draft picks--some mistakes entirely who just never had it in them anyway.
But these departures shouldn't be viewed as a negative, and here's why:
Going Overseas: Seeing Ruslan Iskhakov decide to go to the KHL rather than sign his qualifying offer ($813,750) was a move that many Islanders fans were not pleased about.
The 23-year-old former second-round pick was a back-to-back AHL All-Star, racking up 35 goals with 66 assists for 105 points in 138 games.
He got the chance to make his NHL debut in Game 82 of the Islanders' season, recording a secondary assist before skating in the Game 4 win of their first-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes to stave off elimination, playing for the injured Matt Martin.
But, despite the AHL success, Iskhakov likely wasn't viewed as an answer at the NHL level--at least not yet--as although he is a fun, exciting offensive player, he does lack the physicality and defensive awareness to be an effective NHL player.
Yes, people will say, "Well, he never got an opportunity," and that is true. But if the Islanders thought he could be a top-six player for them, he would still be here.
The positive about Iskahkov going to CSKA Moscow, a strong team in the KHL, is that he will likely play big minutes for them, and the Islanders will still own his rights until he turns 27.
So, if he proves that he has what it takes to be a top-six player in a strong league, it's entirely possible he could be an answer down the road. Even if he doesn't remain with the Islanders, his playing up against the best in Russia may improve his trade value, too.
Iskhakov was the "biggest" loss, but let's quickly discuss the other over-seaers.
Replacement: Fredrik Karlstrom, signing
Related: Understanding Why Islanders Gave Fredrik Karlström A One-Way Deal
Going Overseas: Left-side defenseman Robin Salo , a former second-round pick (No. 46) in 2017, did get a significant opportunity to be an NHLer.
He beat out Sebastian Aho for the starting job to start the 2022-23 season but struggled mightily, leading to his demotion. Despite all the injuries this past season, the team elected to find help outside the organization, waiver-claiming Mike Reilly and trading for Robert Bortuzzo. This told us all we needed to know about what they thought of Salo.
He played 32 games at the NHL level with three goals and six assists, suiting up for 146 Bridgeport games with nine goals and 39 assists for 48 points. He'll continue his career in Sweden, where it all began.
Replacement: Isaiah George (drafted)
Related: Islanders Isaiah George Run-Up To Pro Career After London Falls In Memorial Cup
Going Overseas: At 25 years old, Otto Koivula was just taking a roster spot from a prospect. The former fourth-round pick in 2016 got some playing time with the big club, filling in as a bottom-six center, playing 26 games with four assists. He's struggled to stay healthy, failing to reach the 50-game mark in each of the last two seasons.
Replacement: Marc Gatcomb (signing)
Related: Bridgeport Islanders Make Flurry Of Signings
Going Overseas: Defenseman Paul LaDue was a free-agent signing in the summer of 2021. He played one game with the Islanders in 2021-22, suiting up for 108 games in Bridgeport with four goals and 24 assists.
A former sixth-round pick by the Los Angeles Kings in 2012, LaDue has decided to leave and play in Sweden.
Replacement: Wyatt Newpower (signing)
Related: Islanders Revamping Bridgeport From Brand To Personnel
Going Overseas: Centerman Karson Kuhlman signed a one-way, one-year deal last summer worth $775,000 at the NHL level but only earned his $300,000 AHL deal as he never played a game for the Islanders. The 28-year-old undrafted centerman out of the University of Minnesota-Duluth played 72 games for Bridgeport, with 12 goals and 10 assists for 22 points, and will continue his career in Finland.
Replacement: Liam Foudy (signing)
Related: Liam Foudy Signing Adds Competition To Islanders Forward Depth
Outside of Iskhakov, we don't know what players declined Islanders' offers or which weren't given offers.
Many of these players' AHL salaries were under $300,000, if on a two-way deal. In most--not all cases--these players are making more with their new club.
The KHL, where Iskhakov is headed, pays an average of $425,000 per salary. In SHL, where Kuhmlam is going, it's around $168,000.
Before we wrap up, it's important to know the AHL's rules regarding game rosters.
"The “veteran rule” requires the gameday roster to include the following: A minimum of 12 skaters that have played fewer than 260 professional games – development players. A maximum of one skater that has played fewer than 320 professional games – veteran exempt player, and a maximum of five skaters that have played over 320 professional games – veteran players (H/t Sound Of Hockey ).
Summing things up, only six players in the lineup can have played more than 260 games.
Looking at our replacement list above, they all count as development players: Fredrik Karlstrom (192), Liam Foudy (142), Marc Gatcomb (118), Isaiah George (0), and Wyatt Newpower (172).
Bridgeport has struggled for the last few seasons, but the Islanders focused this summer on turning things around in the AHL. They added some of what appear to be future NHL players at the 2024 NHL Draft and upgraded with some additions, cutting ties/not re-signing players to create room for the newbies.
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