Islanders Notes: Strome, Gionta, Ladd

Newsday’s Arthur Staple reports that the Islanders and restricted free agent center/right winger Ryan Strome remain in discussions on a new deal and there isn’t any concern that a deal won’t get done in advance of the opening of training camp on the 22nd (Twitter links).  The start date for camp is notable as the team still has a rule in place that any player unsigned as of the beginning of camp will not play for the entire season.

Strome is coming off a down year where he recorded just 28 points (8-20-28) in 71 games, down considerably from a 50 point campaign in 2014-15.  As a result, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the team pursue a short-term contract to see how he fares this season before deciding whether or not to commit to him on a long-term deal.

Despite his struggles last season, Strome is still expected to be a top six forward and could push offseason acquisition P.A. Parenteau for time on their top line, a vacancy that was created by the departure of Kyle Okposo to Buffalo at the beginning of free agency.

[Related: Islanders Depth Chart]

In other Islanders news:

• In a separate tweet from Staple, the New York Islanders are in discussions with Stephen Gionta regarding a training camp tryout. Gionta has spent parts of the last six seasons with New Jersey and played in all 82 games last year for the first time in his career, collecting 11 points (1-10-11).  He would potentially battle for a depth forward role with the team or possibly even as a veteran for their AHL affiliate in Bridgeport.  Gionta has 50 points in 270 career NHL games, all with the Devils.
• Assistant coach Doug Weight played a big role in convincing Andrew Ladd to join the team, writes Cory Wright from the team’s official site. Speaking with Wright, Ladd noted that, “Knowing Dougie from Carolina that relationship with him and knowing what a genuine good guy he is, it was nice to have him here showing me around. He made me comfortable and made my wife comfortable. I trust his opinion on where things are going here.”  Ladd had as many as 10 suitors in free agency and is coming off a 25 goal season for the first time since 2011-12.  He signed a seven year, $38.5MM deal back on July 1st and should play alongside John Tavares on New York’s top line.