Isles 2018 Free Agency Preview

Per David Pagnotta, “John Tavares' agent Pat Brisson has just informed me that while "I've been in constant communication with (the six) teams," no verdict has been relayed or made yet... So, hang tight.”

While we and Isles management continue to wait for their #1 free agent target, John Tavares to make his painfully slow decision, it’s important to go over a couple of UFA players in each position that could help our Islanders next season. The official open to sign and announce free agents is noon tomorrow. I’m sure the Islanders will be active in the trade market as the summer goes on and into camp, but tomorrow needs to be a productive day for the Islanders. Especially if Tavares doesn’t re-sign.

Here’s my options in a thinner free agency period behind a guy like John Tavares, who by popular opinion, could be the biggest available free agent in NHL history thus far.

Goaltenders:

Carter Hutton, G, 32

Hutton is coming off his best NHL season, posting a 17-7-3 record with a 2.09gaa and .931 Sv% with St. Louis That includes a stretch of 6 wins in 7 starts, filling in for Jake Allen. His goals against and save percentage ranked first among goalies who played a minimum of 20 games. Hutton has pushed goalies in front of him so far in his career. Hutton was 20-11-4 with a 2.62 GAA and .910 save percentage in 40 games for the Preds in 2013-14 in relief of an injured Pekka Rinne. He had a 3.01 GAA in three relief appearances for Nashville during the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

While the 32-year-old seems to be finding his groove late in his career, I think he is a good stop gap for the Isles in net if Buffalo didn’t already make a deal.

Robin Lehner, G, 27

The Sabres didn’t extend a qualifying offer to Lehner, 27. That makes the emotional and sometimes, erratic netminder an unrestricted free agent. Last season, Lehner was a dismal 14-26-9 with a 3.01gaa and .908 Sv% with 3 shutouts in 53 games. I think Lehner has more skill than he had shown in Buffalo or Ottawa and with a fresh start and some strong coaching, he could become a more stable goaltender, especially at 27 years old.

Kari Lehtonen, G, 34

Lethtonen posted his best numbers since 2013-14 as a backup goalie in Dallas last season, going 15-14-0 in 34 games, with a 2.56gaa and a .912Sv% and 1 shut out. He can be a serviceable short-term starter or a reliable back up for the Islanders.

Defensemen:

With Calvin deHaan and Thomas Hickey as UFA’s, the Isles need to shure up a lack luster defensive unit from last season. Both de Haan & Hickey are said to have many suitors starting tomorrow and if they won’t be back in New York, I think the Islanders will need more than a Devon Toews promotion from Bridgeport. This is not meant as an insult to Toews, but Pelech and Mayfield showed a lot of improvement last season, but struggled a bit last as well.

Jack Johnson, D, 31

Jack Johnson is a solid defender who needs a fresh start away from a defensively stacked Columbus team. He could fit well on the isles blue line and has enough experience to contribute some big minutes.

Ian Cole, D, 29

Cole is a steady stay-at-home defender who can join the rush and play some special teams on the PK. He is a good target to fill a bottom-pairing on defense and offer some playoff and Stanley Cup experience.

John Moore, D, 27

Moore eats up minutes (20) and is set to to take the next step in his career at 27. He has size at 6’7, 210# plays a solid stay-at-home style, but also has the skills to net a timely goal, especially in the extra session. He needs to improve, but can fill a top 4 roll for the Islanders, especially under a defensive specialist coach like Barry Trotz.

Forwards:

James Van Riemsdyk, LW, 29

Van Riemsdyk is a strong player in close like Anders Lee, but he can put up points and contribute on the power play. He has tallied 201 goals and 393 points in 609 NHL games, averaging somewhere around 25 goals per season. Hes a 4 time 20 goal scorer and a 2 time 30 goal scorer.With a good set-up winger, JVR could add to the Isles potent offense.

James Neal, RW, 30

Neal is still a valuable power forward. He is one of the top goal scorers available this summer. Neal has 10 consecutive seasons with at least 20 goals and gotten 40 points in 7 of 8 NHL campaigns. In the playoffs, Neal has 31 goals and 24 assists in 100 career postseason games and figured prominently in the late season and post season playoff push for Vegas last season. Neal had 25 and 19 for 44 points in 71 games.

Paul Stastney, C, 32

Still dangerous, Stastney is great in the face-off circle and a strong passer, more importantly, he is a skilled penalty killer and defensively accountable. Two things the Islanders need moving forward. Stastney was 16 &37 for 53 points in 82 games.

Isles Notes:

G, ChristopherGibson signed a 2 year, 2 way deal with the Islanders. Terms are: 18-19 $650 000 ($225 000 AHL) 19-20 $700 000 ($250 000 AHL)

D, SethHelgeson signed a 1 year deal with the Isles: 18-19 $650 000 ($250 000 AHL) 19-20 $700 000 ($250 000 AHL)