Dennis Cholowski Signs One-Year Deal, Important Move For Bridgeport Islanders

The New York Islanders sent qualifying offers to five of their six pending restricted free agents a few weeks ago. Ruslan Iskhakov elected not to put pen to paper, deciding that going to the KHL made more sense.

Simon Holmstrom inked a one-way, one-year deal instead of his two-way QO, while Tyce Thompson accepted his.

Oliver Wahlstrom elected not to sign, filing for arbitration instead--his case to be brought before an arbitrator on Aug. 1.

On Wednesday, Dennis Cholowski signed a one-year, two-way deal deal worth $775,000 at the NHL level and $250,000 at the AHL level.

His qualifying offer was $813,750.

Losing Cholowski would have been a tough pill for Bridgeport to swallow.

The former 20th overall pick by the Detroit Red Wings at the 2016 NHL Draft was coming off a strong second season in Bridgeport.

In 68 games, he scored seven goals with 24 assists for 31 points, playing big minutes.

In his first season in Bridgeport, 2022-23, Cholowski recorded point points (38) in one fewer game (67) but only had one goal with 37 assists.

Now, personnel-wise, the Islanders had a handful of left-shot defensemen in Isaiah George, Calle Odelius, Marshall Warren, and potentially 2024 second-round pick Jesse Pulkkinen, who signed his three-year entry-level deal.

But veteran leadership-wise, losing Cholowski, especially with the loss of Paul LaDue and potentially their long-time leader, Seth Helgeson, would have left a leadership void on the backend in a year where it's definitely needed.

If there's an injury at the NHL level, Samuel Bolduc, as the team's current seventh defenseman, would get called upon.

Related: How Sebastian Aho's Departure Affects Samuel Bolduc's Role With Islanders

But if another player goes down or Bolduc struggles mightily, a player like George, Odelius, or the handful of other youngster blue-liners in Bridgeport are not ready just yet, while Cholowski is in a position to be recalled if need be.

Yes, Grant Hutton, who has NHL experience, could be the first call-up over Cholowski, but Cholowski plays on the power play.

Having Cholowski will allow the newcomers an opportunity to settle in rather than immediately putting them into high-leverage roles without much, if any, professional experience.

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