The New York Islanders locked in a pair of forwards to deals on Friday, signing Kyle MacLean to a one-year, two-way contract and Daylan Kuefler to a three-year entry-level contract. Financial terms were not disclosed.
MacLean, 24, has played the last three seasons in the Islanders organization on AHL contracts with the Bridgeport Islanders/Sound Tigers. The son of longtime New Jersey Devil and current Islanders assistant coach John MacLean, he recorded a career-high 11 goals, 16 assists, and 27 points in 67 games with Bridgeport in 2022-23.
Born in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, MacLean went undrafted during his time with the OHL’s Oshawa Generals but developed a sound two-way game and was the team’s captain from 2018 to 2020. He’s carried that two-way style into pro hockey, logging key minutes on Bridgeport’s penalty kill.
With an NHL contract signed, MacLean now becomes a call-up option for the Islanders, likely if a bottom-six, penalty-killing winger gets injured. Without very significant offensive production in the minors at this stage in his development, though, a full-time NHL role in the future seems unlikely.
Kuefler, on the other hand, did have his NHL rights tied to the Islanders after they selected him in the sixth round of the 2022 NHL Draft. The 21-year-old had been passed over in the two drafts prior, but after a significant offensive breakout with the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers, the team took a flyer on him.
In 2022-23, Kuefler broke the point-per-game mark for the first time in his WHL career, notching 31 goals and 61 points in 54 games. While his offensive production and delayed development may not suggest much of an NHL future, he’s a relatively well-rounded prospect who could still pan out pending proper development. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound winger will report to AHL Bridgeport next season.