An independent blog on the New York Islanders, the NHL and AHL by a guy from New York.

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

2014 Free Agency, Part 1


Today, your New York Islanders began free agency and were looking for a veteran D with offensive upside, a top line winger & young backup goalie with 1A possibilities. 



Chad Johnson, G - 2yrs @ $2.6M

Johnson was 17-4 for the Bruins last season with a 2.15 gaa and a .925 Sv%. As a great acquisition to support Halak, Johnson have a chance to make a lot of noise in New York next season.  The Goalie Guild reports, "Connection does exist between Isles assistant goalie coach Steve Valiquette and Johnson. Both were in Rangers org in 2009-10 season."
 


 

T.J. Brennan, D - 1 Yr @ $600K

Brennan was 25 & 47 for 72 pts with a right handed shot.  A solid young defensemen with offensive abilities and a possible future top pair guy.  Brennan won the Eddie Shore Award as the outstanding defensemen in the AHL for 2013-14.



Kael Mouillierat, F - 1yr, two-way contract.

Mouillierat returns to the organization after playing 44 games in 11-12.  He had a career high, 53 points in 60 games for St. John's in the AHL last season and added 13 pts in 21 games on the way to the Calder Cup Finals.



Harry Zolnierczyk, F - 1Yr two-way contract.  $600K/$300K

Zolnierczyk had  4 goals in 16 games with the Penguins & 36 pts in 57 regular season AHL games.  He added 10 points in 17 playoff games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

 

David Leggio, G - 1 Yr two-way contract.

Leggio played 45 games (23-18-3 with a 2.63 gaa & a .913 Sv%) for the Hershey Bears and has averaged 27.8 wins in 4 full AHL seasons.  Leggio represented the United States in the 2010 & 2014 WC's.  He is a great depth signing & will most likely join Kevin Poulin in Bridgeport for next season.
 


Cory Conacher, F - 1yr @ $600K

Conacher is a fast & gritty bottom line forward who may provide depth at the forward position for the Islanders. He had 26 pts in 79 games last season.

 

Jack Skille, F - 1yr two-way contract.

Skille scored 4 goals in 16 games with Columbus & 24 pts in 22 games with Springfield of the AHL.  He has 53 pts in 194 NHL games. Skille represented Team USA at the 2011 World Championships, the 2006 and 2007 World Junior Championships and the 2004 and 2005 World Under-18 Championships.
 

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Snow has shown he likes to pick up players who he feels are "hidden gem" guys.  Guys that are not elite, but can flourish if given the chance.  Those kind of moves are ok for ancillary acquisitions, but fans wanted some top tier talent for once this year.  Garth Snow made big money offers to several top tier players, including Dan Boyle whose rights were traded for a few weeks back.  Boyle elected to sign with the rival Rangers.  Vanek was down to the Islanders and Wild, but chose to go to Minnesota as rumored.  Igilna was offered a 4 year deal by New York, but signed with Colorado.  While the FA defense pool has all but dried up, the Islanders can overpay a forward that makes sense. Legwand, Grabovski, Michalek, Vrbata or even Ribiero would fit the role, especially at $6M below the cap floor.

 

While its frustrating to see more evidence of top players steering clear of Long Island, credit Snow with identifying top guys who he feels would fit team concept and going after them.  Even more responsible is not just going down a list a throwing top money and lesser players who might have name cache, but be of lesser quality.  With acquisitions at forward and a log jam at the D position, I feel Snow intends to make a trade or two, especially with many of the higher tier players getting scooped up already.  Players like Grabner, Donovan or Bailey might be pieces that the organization would move if given the right deal.  That being said, today wasn't a success in my mind, but I am hopeful of more moves over the course of the week and coming summer.  Clock is definitely ticking on Snow and the Isles.
 

 

Isles Notes:



Isles tender Qualifying Offers to Eight Players.


Calvin de Haan was not on RFA list, which leads us to believe he may have signed his QO.


Per Capgeek, Isles are still more than $6M from the floor with the lowest cap payroll in the league ($44.9M).
 
 
The Isles have announced that mini camp will begin next Tuesday and the Blue & White Scrimmage next Thursday at Nassau Coliseum.  @AndreyPedan & @AWQuine will participate in mini camp.



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