The dog days of the NHL offseason have arrived, and the Islanders roster is most likely set. Barring a major move, the Islanders will finish with Pierre Engvall, Scott Mayfield, Semyon Varlamov, and Julien Gauthier as their free agent signings, along with Ilya Sorokin locked up long term.
While their roster may be set for now, it’s never too early to start looking ahead to next year’s free agent class. The team has five free agents next summer, all of them making up components of the NHL roster, meaning they will have some decision to make.
With the upcoming season fast approaching, which players will be free agents for the Islanders in 2024?
Fourth Line Pieces
Two longtime pieces to the bottom six are the first two free agents for the Islanders. Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck are two cogs of the team’s “E=MC^2” line that had a very strong over Martin’s two stints. However, both of them have seen their share of red flags as they’ve shown signs of age. Clutterbuck has spent long stints on the injured reserve over the past few seasons, and while Martin did tie a career high in points last season, his skills on the defensive side have atrophied.
With both players in their mid-30s, the Islanders will need to be careful in deciding to keep them. While Martin can be brought back on a pay cut or reduced role, Clutterbuck’s injury history makes him a questionable piece to bring back.
Other UFAs
The Islanders have two other unrestricted free agents (UFAs) entering the 2024 offseason: defenseman Sebastian Aho and Karson Kuhlman. Kuhlman, 27, hasn’t played a game yet for the franchise but provides depth for the team. He is also signed to a two-way contract, meaning he can move between the big club and the AHL team in Bridgeport seamlessly.
If he impresses for Bridgeport or steps up in place of an injury to a regular forward, similar to Hudson Fasching last season, it makes sense to bring him back, but time will tell.
Meanwhile, Aho made a noticeable jump to becoming an NHL regular last season. The 27 year old appeared in 71 games last season, topping his previous career high of 36, and scored five goals and 18 assists for 23 points.
However, like various other defensemen on the roster, there were times of struggle in his own end, meaning he still has room to grow. With the Islanders signing rookie Sam Bolduc to a two year extension and Aho’s deal expiring, this year will decide who the Islanders will roll with as their last defenseman moving into the future.
Restricted Free Agents:
The Islanders only have one pending restricted free agent, that man being Oliver Wahlstrom. Wahlstrom, 23, agreed to his qualifying offer earlier in the offseason and will try for a long-term deal next summer. However, this year will be a test for whether or not he can stick in the organization.
With head coach Lane Lambert giving him more playing time than Barry Trotz, his confidence grew in spades. In 35 games he notched seven goals and nine assists for 16 points, an 82 game projection of 16 goals and 21 assists. However, he suffered a lower body injury in December that cost him his season. Although general manager Lou Lamoriello confirmed Wahlstrom will be ready for training camp next month, how he returns to the lineup will be vital for his future with the Islanders and what kind of contract he’ll get next offseason.
Stay tuned for more breaking NHL content, including offseason moves, contract updates and more news from every team.
Featured image courtesy of NHL.com
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