Team: 2021-22 New York Islanders

Initial Creation Date: May 11, 2021

Published: May 11, 2021

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

1) The last of Ladd? - I think Lou is finally able to make Ladd disappear this offseason after another season of being shunned. Ladd played 1 AHL game and hasn't appeared since. I actually think he's currently on the Isles taxi squad so he can be on Long Island with his family. But Ladd hasn't skated whatsoever to my knowledge.

2) The RFAs -

2A) Beauvillier has his parameters set with the Laughton ($3m x 5) and Iafallo ($4m x 4) contracts. I think he signs for somewhere in the middle. A $3x3 deal only buys one of Beauvillier's UFA years and he would be 27 upon expiry. Plenty of time (and opportunity) to take a bite at a larger contract.

2B) Sorokin hasn't seen an NHL pay day and it looks like he is on the cusp of becoming the #1 for the Isles. I think next season is closer to a 50/50 split in starts with Varlamov and by 2022-23 Sorokin is unquestionably the lead horse. A $4x4 seems like a reasonable compromise for both sides right now. I wouldn't be surprised if Lou wanted even more term than this, but given a flat cap it is the best we can do.

2C) Pelech's contract ceiling is probably Brodin ($6m x 6) but Pelly's lack of offensive upside probably drives that number down a bit. Somewhere in the $4-5m range seems fair depending on the term. Devon Toews signed $4.1m x 4 with Colorado as an RFA so I'll come in and match that amount. Pelech does not bring the same offense as Toews but he is a legitimate shut down defensive defenseman and a must have in Barry Trotz's system.

2D) The extras: Dal Colle, Koivula and Golyshev all come back but at deals that could be buried in the minors if needed. Bellows is expansion draft bound.

3) The UFAs

3A) Casey Cizikas is critical to this team on and off the ice. He made his money already, and the Isles will be in a cap crunch. I would not be surprised if Lou has an under the table agreement with Cizikas (similar to Matt Martin) prior to expansion and leaves him unprotected so the Isles can keep an extra forward. If they can't come to an agreement, I would expect Zajac to return on a vet minimum deal to assume that 4C role.

3B) As mentioned, Zajac would be the fall back option to Cizikas walking. But that isn't the case here. I think Lou would love to find a way to keep Palmieri in the fold beyond this season, add a notable UFA, or make another trade in his place. His opportunity to do that comes at the expansion draft.

4) Expansion draft - The Islanders reach a deal with Seattle and leave Kieffer Bellows exposed. Seattle takes back Komarov and Hickey (1 year deals) and receives 2 2nd round picks in the upcoming draft. This gives Lamoriello the much needed cap relief to fit in his free agents.

5) One new face - I'd really like to see Samuel Bolduc get the first crack to win the LD3 job. Trotz absolutely raved about him in the return to play - which is rare. He looks like he has a cannon of a shot and is defensively responsible. The Islanders bring back one of Greene/Coburn as insurance if Bolduc isn't ready to play full time. Similar to what they did with Dobson.