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New York Islanders Sign A.J. Greer

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After trading for the rights to forward A.J. Greer last week, the New York Islanders have now come to terms on a new contract with the restricted free agent. CapFriendly reports that Greer has agreed to a one-year, two-way contract to begin his tenure with the Islanders. The deal carries the minimum $700K salary at the NHL level and $100K at the AHL level, with a minimum of $125K overall guaranteed.

Greer, 23, landed in New York early last week in a deal that saw defenseman Kyle Burroughs go to the Colorado Avalanche. In four seasons with the Avs, Greer struggled to stick in the NHL lineup. It’s been a theme in the career of the talented forward, who also didn’t fit at Boston University and ended up leaving for the QMJHL. A 2015 second-round pick, Colorado gave Greer chances to carve out a role, but he consistently struggled to make the most of his opportunities. This past season, Greer did not play in the NHL at all. He counts just 37 games and six points at the top level for his career thus far.

With that said, Greer has always showed promise even if it hasn’t translated to the NHL. A big, two-way winger with good AHL numbers, a fresh start may be exactly what Greer needs. In the Islanders’ defense-oriented system, he may actually be an ideal fit in the bottom-six if he can win a job in camp or work his way into the lineup during the season. On just a one-year deal, Greer is hoping to establish his value before another round of RFA negotiations. A strong campaign could land him a multi-year extension, while a failure to make anything of his new chance could cost him a qualifying offer and land him on the open market. It’s a do-or-die season for the young forward.

New York Islanders To Re-Sign Parker Wotherspoon

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Parker Wotherspoon received a qualifying offer from the New York Islanders, but he’ll take a two-year extension with a decrease in NHL salary and an increase in AHL salary rather than accept a one-year raise. CapFriendly reports that the Islanders have come to terms on a new two-way deal with the young defenseman. Wotherspoon is set to make the minimum $700K at the NHL level this year and $750K in the NHL next year for an AAV of $725K. In the AHL, he will earn $100K ($125K total guaranteed) in 2020-21 and $125K ($185K total guaranteed) in 2021-22.

Wotherspoon, 23, is coming off his entry-level contract with three productive AHL seasons under his belt. In fact, the mobile defenseman’s point total has improved year over year. His 27 points in 2019-20 was good enough for fourth among all skaters for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. He also set a career high in penalty minutes as his 6’2″ frame has been put to good use with a more physical presence.

With the departure of Devon Toews and the possibility of more moves on the Islanders blue line, Wotherspoon’s odds of an NHL opportunity have improved, even if New York still has a deep group of defensemen. Given his consistent offense and pro size, Wotherspoon has earned a shot if he can get one. With five defensemen signed to one-way contracts, RFA Ryan Pulock expected to re-sign, and prospects Noah Dobson and Sebastian Aho likely ahead of him in the pecking order, Wotherspoon will need some luck for chances to open up, but once they do he could prove himself as an NHL-ready player.

 

Islanders, Matt Martin Working Towards A Contract

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UFA winger Matt Martin is working on a deal to remain with the Islanders, reports Arthur Staple of The Athletic (Twitter link).  Staple adds that as many as seven teams expressed an interest in signing the free agent but that Martin wants to stay on the Island.  While the Rangers had been speculated as a possible landing spot, Staple relays in a separate tweet that they are not among the teams that have shown interest.

The 31-year-old has had two separate stints with the Isles and has spent the last two seasons there after being re-acquired from Toronto back in 2018 in a cap-clearing move by Toronto.  He has never been much of an offensive contributor (although he did manage five goals in 22 playoff games) but he has been among the top physical wingers in the league throughout his career and has been an important part of what has been an impactful fourth line for New York.

Despite that, it’s quite likely that Martin will be looking at a pay cut from the $2.5MM AAV he carried on his last contract.  With many teams looking to save money and needing to do so with some of their depth players, his price tag should come in lower despite the considerable interest he has received.  He is ranked 39th on our Top 50 UFA list with a projected two-year, $3.2MM contract.

Islanders Re-Sign Mitchell Vande Sompel

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The Islanders continue to take care of their AHL restricted free agents.  PuckPedia reports (Twitter link) that they’ve re-signed defenseman Mitchell Vande Sompel to a two-year, two-way contract.  He’ll make $700K in the NHL and $90K in the AHL next season while those numbers jump to $750K and $125K respectively for 2021-22.

The 23-year-old was a third-round pick (82nd overall) of the Islanders back in 2015 and he showed some offensive promise in his first two seasons with AHL Bridgeport and put up 10 goals and 21 assists in 70 games in 2018-19.  However, Vande Sompel suffered an arm injury in training camp that put an end to his 2019-20 campaign before it even got underway.

While Vande Sompel, who also has played as a right winger at times going back to junior, has to clear waivers next season, that seems like a probable outcome considering how much time he has missed.  But over these next couple of seasons, he could play his way into the NHL mix if he can pick up from where he left off back in 2019.

Lamoriello: Strong Chance Islanders Re-Sign Andy Greene

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  • Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello told reporters, including NHL.com’s Brian Compton (Twitter link) that veteran there is a “strong chance” that veteran UFA defenseman Andy Greene will return. New York acquired the 37-year-old from New Jersey back in February but instead of using him as a top-four blueliner like he had been previously, Greene was deployed in more limited minutes.  After making $5MM per season for the last five years, it’s safe to suggest that he’ll be taking a significant pay cut to stick around.

Islanders Re-Sign Grant Hutton

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The Islanders have agreed to terms with one of their restricted free agents as PuckPedia reports (Twitter link) that New York has signed defenseman Grant Hutton to a two-year, two-way contract.  The deal is worth $700K in the NHL next season with a $100K AHL salary and a $125K guarantee while his NHL pay in 2021-22 will be $750K with a $125K AHL salary and a $200K guarantee.

The 25-year-old signed with the Islanders as an undrafted free agent in 2019 after wrapping up his college career at Miami (Ohio) and was capped to a one-year entry-level term due to his age.  Hutton’s first full professional campaign was a decent one as he posted 21 points in 55 games with AHL Bridgeport, good for third among Sound Tigers defensemen.

While Hutton is a little old by prospect standards, he is still exempt from waivers for the 2020-21 season (unless he plays in 60 NHL games).  He’ll likely return to Bridgeport and will try to position himself for a recall whenever injuries strike in New York next season.

Islanders Sign Austin Czarnik

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After dealing away Devon Toews earlier today, the Islanders added some depth up front as PuckPedia reports (Twitter link) that they’ve signed center Austin Czarnik to a two-year contract.  The first year is a two-way deal worth $700K in the NHL and $350K in the minors with a $425K guarantee while the second season is one-way at $750K.

The 27-year-old was a high-end scorer in the minors back in 2017-18 with AHL Providence which helped him earn a two-year, $2.5MM contract with Calgary in 2018.  While he managed to stay with the Flames for all of the first year, he only suited up for them eight times last season, picking up two goals and an assist.  But after clearing waivers in December, Czarnik was sent to Stockton of the AHL for the rest of the year.  He was quite productive with the Heat, posting 16 goals and 17 assists in just 32 games.

Not surprisingly, that was able to help Czarnik land a pretty good contract as far as projected AHL players go.  While it’s possible that he contends for a spot on the fourth line in training camp, it’s more likely that he starts in a top role with AHL Bridgeport and gets recalled whenever injuries arise.

Colorado Avalanche Acquire Devon Toews

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Just two days after trading away Nikita Zadorov, the Colorado Avalanche have replaced him with a new top-six defenseman. The New York Islanders announced that they have traded Devon Toews to Colorado in exchange for second-round picks in 2021 and 2022. Toews is an unsigned restricted free agent.

Toews, 26, only broke into the NHL in 2018-19, but has made a great first impression. As a rookie, Toews recorded 18 points in 48 games, claimed a role on the power play, and held his own defensively in a third pair role. This past season, he showed even more growth. In 68 games, he improved to 28 points, made an even bigger impact on the power play, improved defensively, and along the way ended up earning a top-four role with over 20 minutes of ice time per game. A slick puck-mover with great hockey IQ, Toews is a well-rounded defenseman whose relative inexperience has kept him underrated compared to his actual ability. Even at the cost of two high picks, this seems like a shrewd deal by GM Joe Sakic.

Unfortunately for the Islanders, someone had to go and Toews fit the bill. Working with just under $9MM in cap space, the Islanders needed to re-sign core contributors Mathew Barzal and Ryan Pulock, as well as Toews. Trading away Toews, who had filed for salary arbitration, is now one less contract that the team needs to squeeze in. With their depth on defense – Pulock, Johnny Boychuk, Nick Leddy, Adam Pelech, Scott Mayfield, Thomas Hickey and prospects Sebastian Aho and Noah Dobson – Toews was expendable, even if he played a major role this season. In fact, it would not be a surprise to see another defenseman move as the Isles make an effort to re-sign Barzal and Pulock without damaging the roster too much.

Cory Schneider Close To Deal With New York Islanders

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The New York Islanders are close to adding some more goaltending depth, as Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic tweets a deal is being finalized with Cory Schneider. While LeBrun points out the connection between the free agent goaltender and Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello from their time together in New Jersey, it does somewhat complicate things in New York.

Schneider, 34, was recently bought out by the Devils after struggling with injury and inconsistency the last several seasons, and likely would have to accept the third goaltender role in the Islanders organization. The team already has veteran starter Semyon Varlamov and young phenom Ilya Sorokin in the mix, meaning unless there is another move coming—or the team is going back to the three-headed goaltending option—Schneider would likely have to spend time in the minor leagues once again.

In a condensed 2020-21 season there will be a need for goaltending depth as teams are forced to play games at a heightened pace, but it’s hard to believe that Schneider would be able to displace either of the Islanders two top goaltenders. Though he was once a legitimate starting option who even challenged for the Vezina Trophy, Schneider hasn’t posted a save percentage above .910 since the 2015-16 season.

Of course, the Islanders also employ goaltending guru Mitch Korn, who has resurrected careers before and should be able to help Schneider get things back on track, if not all the way back to his previous level. At the very least, he’ll be some veteran depth in case of injury.

Islanders Swap Kyle Burroughs To Colorado For A.J. Greer

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The New York Islanders have made a minor swap of players, sending defenseman Kyle Burroughs to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for winger A.J. Greer, according to Newsday’s Andrew Gross.

With the swap, the Islanders add the 23-year-old Greer, who looks to be on the cusp of earning his way onto a team’s fourth line. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound winger is a restricted free agent, but has the potential to step into the Islanders line-up if the team doesn’t sign unrestricted free agents Matt Martin and Derick Brassard. A second-round pick in the 2015 draft, Greer spent the entire 2019-20 season with the Colorado Eagles in the AHL where he posted 16 goals, 32 points and 87 penalty minutes in 47 games. He has appeared in 37 career NHL games and could fill in on their well-known fourth line, if needed.

The Avalanche add some depth to their defense in bringing in Burroughs, who has yet to make his NHL debut. The 25-year-old blueliner has spent the last five seasons with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the AHL. Never a particularly offensive-minded player, Burroughs scored two goals and eight points in 58 games with 69 penalty minutes. He is likely earmarked to join recently acquired Dennis Gilbert with the Eagles to replace Anton Lindholm and Mark Alt.

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