Islanders Re-Sign Beauvillier

Our New York Islanders announced that 22-year-old, forward Anthony Beauvillier agreed to terms on a two-year deal. Staple (per @PuckPedia) reports it’s a $2.1M AAV. “#Isles now have a little over $4.6 million in cap space and 25 one-way contracts, not including Barzal and Dobson on ELCs... Crowded roster with camp 15 days away.” It should indeed be an exciting camp and a preseason that could see some late additions and demotions within the organization based on who wants to impress.

Beauvillier, a 28th overall selection for New York in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, scored 18 & 10 for 28 points in 81 games last season and notched a goal and an assist in the 8 postseason appearances for the Isles in his 1st career playoff appearance. In his 218 NHL game career, Beauvillier has 48 & 40 for 88 points. Beau has been one of my favorite Islanders based on his hustle and all of his charity work to benefit Alzheimer's research in Canada.

We were waiting for the big RFA signing to happen, and today it did. The great Stan Fischler said of Beauvillier, “Among my favorite @NYIslanders, #AnthonyBeauvillier is one who could be ready for a real, break-out season. The kid sure has the goods.” Lou Lamoriello said ‘Beau’ was on board to re-sign prior to September and he was. Beauvillier is a resilient player and works hard to improve his game. Without much of a free agent splash this summer, the Isles forward should get his shot to make some noise at the top of the Isles lineup.

@titobeauvi21, “Thrilled to be coming back to the island. Couldn’t be happier. Let’s get the season going.”

Beau'ty.

Isles Notes:

Per Andrew Gross, “#Isles confirm Scott Gomez has left organization and will not return to coaching staff for 2019-20. He was not fired.”

Per Cory Wright, “Varlamov on working with Mitch Korn & Piero Greco. "I’m open to learning something because the league is changing, the game is changing, so goalies need to come up with some new ideas. I know we can trust these two guys and they are going to help us improve our game." #Isles”

Per release, Beauvillier represented Team Canada at the 2018 World Championship (3 points in 9 games) and won a gold medal at the 2014 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament along with a bronze medal with Canada at the 2015 World Under-18 Championships. “Beauvillier served as an alternate captain for Team Quebec at the 2014 World Under-17 Championships, recording four points (two goals, two assists) in six games.”

Islanders Add Brassard

Our New York Islanders announced that Derick Brassard has agreed to terms on a one-year contract. The deal is worth $1.2 million according to Arthur Staple. It's a decent, low-risk move that can help push the prospects hard and yield the kind of results the team needs from their up and comers. While his career numbers say he's in a bit of slide after playing 70 games with three different teams (PIT, FLA, COL) last season, accumulating 14 & 9 for 24 points, Brassard can still help the Islanders.

The soon to be 32-year-old Brassard will give the Isles much needed veteran depth at the center position. Per release, Brassard has 176 & 275 for 451 points in 786 career NHL games with 6 NHL teams. Initially, a 1st round, 6th overall by Columbus in 2006, the 6'1, 202# Brassard has 60 NHL playoff points (23 & 37) in 99 games over his career.

In 2016, his team-leading 11 points (5 & 6) led team Canada and helped them win a gold medal in the IIHF World Championship. The former AHL All-Star and QMJHL standout as rookie of the year and league All-Star. "Back in 2006 when he was tearing up the 'Q' with Drummondville, he was awarded the Michael Bossy Trophy for QMJHL Best Professional Prospect."

Per Colin Stephenson, “On a conference call with Islanders reporters, Derick Brassard said he hopes coming back to New York can spark a resurgence in his production after a couple down years. Also, he pointed out he's played a lot of games and had a lot of surgeries in the past few years. Brassard added, “I had a rough season last year, bouncing around teams. I met with Lou and Barry a few weeks back in New York, and when I looked back on everything, I thought it was the best opportunity for me to be successful to win some games and to come back to my old self.'' 

We can probably look for Brassard to contend the 3rd line center position and be used as necessary while the 2019-20 Isles find their stride. I like the move, and the former Ranger is probably looking to prove a point, and some are calling Brassard this seasons Filppula. Hopefully, depending on his role, Brassard might add spark to the offense and possibly contribute something on the Isles new-look PP under coach, Jim Hiller.

Islanders Re-Sign RFA's Ho-Sang & Dal Colle

Today, our New York Islanders re-signed two of their RFA's. Josh Ho-Sang signed a one-year, two-way ($874K NHL, $70K AHL) deal while Michael Dal Colle agreed to terms ($770K AAV) on a one-way, two-year contract.

Ho-Sang, 23, has all the talent in the world and something to prove since being selected by the Islanders in the 1st round, 28th overall selection in 2014. After missing day 2 of Barry Trotz's first camp as the Isles Head Coach, Ho-Sang was sent to Bridgeport (for personal reasons) where he had 8 and 35 for 43 points in 56 games with the Sound Tigers last season and 292 points over his 256 game AHL career. Per release, his 35 assists were third-most on the team, and he had a goal and an assist in five AHL playoff games. Ho-Sang had two points with the Isles last season during his 10-game call-up (Eberle injury) and 24 points (7 & 17) in 53 NHL career games with New York.

Arthur Staple's recent article had a quote from Ken Strong of the Toronto Marlboros where he Ho-Sang played minor-midget AAA. "(Josh) probably had more individual skill than McDavid," Strong said. "Seeing the ice, playing with his linemates — that's maybe what set him back, in my opinion. McDavid had the ability even then to make his linemates better. Josh didn't quite get that. But just incredible skill." Strong added "He's a great, great person and someone I'd want on my team," Strong said. "It's almost like he's a little lackadaisical in his game — you've got to fight for it more! I don't know what it is. You know there's more there, but trying to get to it is really frustrating."

This season is gift wrapped for Ho-Sang. Especially after what the Islanders did last season under Barry Trotz. He will have an opportunity to work with his linemates and help make the team better. He can use his high-level talent to propel him into a big payday next summer if he listens, plays the game, practices hard and becomes a professional in an organization that could be poised to break out. It's probably his last shot with New York, especially with a GM like Lamoriello.

Michael Dal Colle also agreed to terms today. Dal Colle's contract is a two-year deal with New York. Per release, "Dal Colle, 23, recorded his first NHL points this past season, finishing the year with three goals and four assists in 28 regular-season games." The 6'2, 198-pound wing has struggled his first few years in Bridgeport, probably flying below the expectations set by many when the Isles selected him 5th overall in 2014. Last season, he found his stride with the Sound Tigers, averaging a point-per-game with 34 (18 & 16) in 34 games, good enough to put him at the 2019 AHL All-Star with teammate, Sebastian Aho.

Dal Colle has scored 99 points (40 goals, 59 assists) in 172 career AHL games with Bridgeport and a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and played for Canada-Ontario at the 2013 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. He's got skills and the Islander's think he's ready to showcase them.

Michael Dal Colle certainly looked comfortable to me last season after being called up by the Islanders. In 28 games, Dal Colle scored 3 & 4 for 7 points with a +3 rating. Dal Colle now uses his size, knows where to be, and plays well with his linemates as an NHL player. With more experience and two more years of seasoning, he has an opportunity to prove he belongs on this team as they propel themselves into the Belmont era.

 

We heard Lou Lamoriello say all his RFA's were on board to re-sign, so fans are waiting for news on Anthony Beauvillier. We're also waiting for more roster news through camp and before the start of the 2019-20 season, but we just might find ourselves waiting longer than we'd like. 

Isles Notes:

Mikhail Prokhorov sells Nets and Barclays Center to Joseph Tsai, keeps Nassau Coliseum via @Newsday

Approved: ESD approves $1.3B Islanders Arena Project in Belmont

We waited all day to hear the news from the Empire State Development Board on the Belmont Park Arena Environmental Impact Statement. Mainly, it was to remove the last hurdle for the Islanders Belmont Park Arena project to become a reality soon. When the news broke, Isles country breathed a sigh of relief. Finally. Another historic day for one of the most storied franchises in the NHL.

Per Randi Marshall, "Unanimous approval from the ESD board for #isles arena and Belmont redevelopment to move forward. And with that, meeting adjourned."

All that remains is approval from the Franchise Oversight Board in the next couple of weeks to conclude but should be a formality. UPDATE: Approved on 8/13. Per Christian Arnold, "#Isles season ticket holders were sent an email today inviting them "to a special groundbreaking ceremony after Labor Day at Belmont Park. Get your shovels ready, as we hope to see each and every Season Ticket Member with us on the day."

That will put New York back on the Island for good and on schedule to have our new projected $955M home open in time for the 2021-22 season. Per Stan Fischler, "Super-duper news; State approval for @NYIslanders arena at Belmont. That means shovel in the ground cannot be far away. Hooray, Hooray to ownership and all who have been behind Belmont."

Per Newsday, "As part of its approval, ESD also on Thursday adopted the environmental review's findings statement, an important procedural move because it opens the 120-day window for opponents to file lawsuits seeking to stop the project … When asked after the vote whether Floral Park village officials were considering legal action, such as an Article 78, to stop or delay the project, Deputy Floral Park Village Mayor Kevin Fitzgerald said, all options are still on the table."

Some Elmont residents welcomed the prospect of more jobs. Developers say the project will create 3,200 jobs and promise to fill 30 percent of the positions with people living within a four-mile radius around Belmont.

After two years of meetings, articles, reports, and rumors along with some local Floral Park opposition, all our fans wanted was the nod that the Belmont Arena project was a go.

Islanders Ownership said it was. General manager, Lou Lamoriello said it was. And today, the ESD confirmed it. Nassau County will finally get a premiere destination and bring jobs and revenue back to the cash-strapped area. Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced a plan last month to build the new Elmont train station, attached to the north parking lot of Belmont Park.

Per Newsday, "New York Arena Partners, the project developers, have proposed a 19,000-seat arena, 350,000 square feet of upscale shops and restaurants, a 250-room hotel and parking on 43-acres of vacant state-owned property at Belmont Park. The development group is a partnership of the owners of the Islanders, the New York Mets and the arena development company Oak View Group."

That's some good news with just a month and a half left in the offseason. We are looking for our New York Islanders to add some more offensive punch via trade after a somewhat light and dicey free agency period. The retention of Anders lee, loss of Robin Lehner, and addition of 31-year-old netminder, Semyon Varlamov.

I'm ready to see how the team shapes up. I think they need to add a few key pieces, but no one gave them a chance last season, and they shocked the hockey world. But how much magic can the coaching staff keep conjuring with the current cauldron of talent?

There is still time Isles fans. Enjoy this announcement for how historic it will be for the future of the franchise.
And special thanks to Charles Wang. This is a great tribute in his memory.
Thanks to Jim Baumbach, Candice Ferrette and Randi Marshall for their continued updates on the project and attention to all things Islanders Arena news.

Isles Notes:

Per Release, "The New York Islanders will play two nationally-televised games on NBCSN this season. The first nationally-televised game will take place on Jan. 2 vs. the New Jersey Devils. The second will take place vs. the Philadelphia Flyers on Feb. 11. Both games will begin at 7 pm."

7/15 The New York Islanders announced that their 2019 1st round selection, Simon Holmstrom has agreed to terms on a 3-year, ELC

"Holmstrom, 18, was selected by the Islanders in the first-round (23 overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft back in June. Last season, Holmstrom scored 20 points (seven goals, 13 assists) in 21 games with HV71 J20 team of the SuperElit League (Sweden). He also appeared in games for HV71's J18 team and their Swedish Hockey League team during his 2018-19 campaign. Holmstrom added three points (one goal, two assists) in three SuperElit playoff games."