The Islanders signed center, Marty Reasoner on the first day of free agency. Originally a first round pick, 14th overall of the St. Louis Blues in 1996, Reasoner, scored 14 and 18 for 32 points in 82 games with the Florida Panthers last season. Islanders Point Blank reports the contract is worth a total of $2.7 million over two years.
(On the Islanders) “I think towards the second half of the season, a lot of people and teams started to notice they were a tough team to play against,” Reasoner said. “We played them in Florida twice during the second half and they had their way with us. They were a tough team to match up against. They are building in the right direction. Hopefully that can translate into a really good start this October so that we’ll have a great year.”
Continuing to see their prospects evolve, the Islanders gave Kirill Kabanov what he wanted. Kabanov signed a three-year entry-level deal with the Islanders that will give him a chance to compete for a roster spot this fall in the NHL. Kabanov scored 11 and 17 for 28 points last season. In 15 QMJHL playoff games, He averaged over a point a game with 8 and 12 for 20 points. He also finished as one of the three finalists for the league’s Humanitarian Player of the Year.
His recent success in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey league and an improved maturity of his character gave the highly skilled sniper a chance to prove himself on pro ice.
Free Agency hasn’t exactly come to pass as the fans would have liked it to so far over the weekend. While the fans frustrations’ could be felt with the Isles not able to land the “sexy” free agent, I didn’t see many contracts I would have wanted to lock into. Several were way over-priced and way too long in term, despite the talent involved. As a matter of fact, the DiPietro contract looks more and more in line with what many GMs are offering now. Although unforeseen injuries made that contract the butt of ridicule and jokes, the Flyers, Rangers and several other NHL teams have signed players of all positions to similar deals.
I am confident that Garth Snow wanted much of what we, the fans wanted on the opening weekend for free agency. But, the Islanders are seen by many as a backburner team with a winning history that has since been tarnished with the circus-like events of the 90’s. There were some regretful moves by management early on and now an uncertain arena deal that might help to at least level playing field with top free agents hinges on an August 1st vote. Bad press seems to be regularly featured in the local paper, always casting a shadow over the positive vibe the fanbase and organization continue to believe in and promote.
So in the meantime, the Islanders will have to wait. Garth Snow has said he will go the way of trades to get the remaining pieces for the team and I am sure if an upgrade is there at a fair price, he will make a move. Staying with the plan that has worked incrementally thus far. The Islanders will not make moves, just to make them.
So in the meantime, the Islanders will have to wait. Garth Snow has said he will go the way of trades to get the remaining pieces for the team and I am sure if an upgrade is there at a fair price, he will make a move. Staying with the plan that has worked incrementally thus far. The Islanders will not make moves, just to make them.
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