The New York Islanders have avoided a restricted free agent negotiation, signing Samuel Bolduc to a two-year contract extension. CapFriendly reports it is a one-way contract worth $800K in both seasons.
Bolduc, 22, was selected 57th overall in 2019 and after parts of three seasons in the minor leagues, made his NHL debut this year. Entering the Islanders lineup in January, he played 17 games, registering two goals and three points while averaging just over 14 minutes a night.
While it wasn’t a significant role, the young defenseman did enough to prove his worth and was called upon twice in the Islanders’ first-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes. Now, with a two-year deal in hand, he’ll try to solidify a more permanent role on the team’s roster.
The deal leaves Oliver Wahlstrom as the only significant RFA remaining for the Islanders as free agency nears. Bolduc’s deal will serve as a bridge, of sorts, taking him to arbitration-eligible restricted free agency in 2025.
With Scott Mayfield scheduled for unrestricted free agency, there could be some minutes to go around in New York next season. Where exactly Bolduc fits into the puzzle isn’t clear, but he won’t have to worry about job security for another couple of years.
I’m guessing the Isles will resign Mayfield.