The Islanders have re-signed forward Marc Gatcomb to a one-year deal, per a club announcement. The restricted free agent lands a $900K commitment on a one-way deal, per PuckPedia, the first of his NHL career.
Gatcomb, who turns 26 later this month, lands the commitment after making his NHL debut in 2024-25. A minor-league depth signing by the Isles last summer, he ended up logging much more NHL ice than anyone expected, making 39 appearances and becoming a fourth-line fixture late in the season after his initial January call-up.
The 6’2″, 195-lb winger was one of the Islanders’ more physical forwards, ranking second on the team with 149 hits despite his limited game log and ice time. He averaged 9:47 per game but did manage eight goals, finishing at a likely unsustainable 19.5% clip.
Gatcomb, a Massachusetts native, has only ever signed NHL contracts with the Islanders. He was initially an undrafted free agent signing by Vancouver’s AHL affiliate, the Abbotsford Canucks, in 2022 out of UConn. He scored 12 goals, 16 assists, and 28 points in 112 games for the club in parts of three seasons before landing a two-way deal with the Isles last summer.
After also recording nine goals and 17 points in 35 AHL games for Bridgeport last season – respectable totals on the league’s worst club – Gatcomb’s focus turns toward making an NHL roster out of camp for the first time. He faces an uphill battle after the team added Jonathan Drouin and Maxim Shabanov to its forward group in free agency and acquired Emil Heineman from the Canadiens in the Noah Dobson trade, but there’s an opening for him to snag a spot as a No. 12/13/14 forward if he can leapfrog someone like Shabanov or fringe winger Pierre Engvall in camp.
The Islanders have six contract slots remaining after signing Gatcomb, per PuckPedia. One of those will eventually go to RFA winger Maxim Tsyplakov, who was among the 11 players who elected salary arbitration yesterday.
If it comes down to Gatcomb or Engvall then it’s a no brainer, you have to pick Gatcomb. If they can’t find a taker for Engvall, then I’d dump in Bridgeport for the next five years. For reasons only Grandpa Lou knows he gave him a seven year contract two years ago. Gatcomb comes to play every night, something Engvall doesn’t do.
I agree. I don’t know what made Lou give him that contract for 7 years but it was an atrocious contract to give him. Completely undeserved. Gatcomb plays with heart and exuberance. He enjoys every shift and celebrates every goal as if it was his first.
Gatcomb deserves the spots over Engvall. I Agree that Engvall can spend his days in the AHL. Gatcomb brings energy every night. Lou made a huge mistake giving Engvall 7 years.