Islanders Don't Use Second Buyout Window; Remain Over Salary Cap

When forward Oliver Wahlstrom filed for salary cap arbitration on July 5, that meant the New York Islanders would be awarded a second buyout window upon the conclusion of his case, regardless of the result.

Related: Islanders Oliver Wahlstrom Files For Arbitration, Future To Be Resolved Soon

With the arbitration hearing scheduled for Aug 1, Wahlstrom and the Islanders settled on a one-year deal worth $1 million on July 26.

The Islanders were then awarded a 48-hour buyout window on Sunday, which they could use on any player carrying a cap hit of $4 million annually or more.

Related: Islanders & Wahlstrom Avoid Salary Arbitration, Now What?

Like with the first buyout window, Anders Lee ($7M AAV through 2025-26) and Jean-Gabriel Pageau ($5M AAV through 2025-26) were the likely suspects, but the club wasn't expected to go that route given the cap penalties.

If the Islanders went the buyout route with Pageau, they would save $2.5 million of the remaining $10 million owed.

If the Islanders went the buyout route with Lee, they would save $3.45 million of the $14 million owed.

However, the 48 hours have come and gone, and the Islanders elected not to go that route, which was expected.

The next move we will see from the Islanders--outside of any contract extensions--would be a transaction to become cap compliant, with Wahlstrom's $1 million putting the Islanders $950,000 over the NHL's $88 million cap ceiling.

The likely move is Wahlstrom either being dealt with or waived.

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