The New York Islanders went right back to business following the conclusion of the 2022 National Hockey League Entry Draft, and on Saturday the organization announced a large number of signings, all of which were relatively minor in nature.
In total general manager Lou Lamoriello signed a whopping 7 players on Saturday, extending all but 1 of them with a multi-year contract that will keep them within the fold of the Islanders organization for the near future.
The 7 players are the following:
Robin Salo.
The former Islanders second round draft pick (46th overall) at the 2017 NHL Entry Draft got his first NHL experience this season when he appeared in 21 games for the Islanders, scoring once and adding 4 assists for 5 points on the season. The Islanders have signed the 23 year old defenseman to a 2 year deal with an average annual value of $800,000.
Sebastian Aho.
The 26 year old defenseman took his biggest step forward this season when he appeared in 36 games for the Islanders, the most in a single season for his NHL career thus far, scoring twice and adding 10 assists for 12 points on the season. Aho also signed a 2 year deal, but in his case the average annual value works out to $825,000.
Andy Andreoff.
The 31 year old forward spent nearly the entire season with the Bridgeport Islanders, but in spite of that the team felt there was value in signing him to a new deal. The former 3rd round draft pick (80th overall) at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft had just 6 NHL games this season scoring only a single goal. The Islanders have extended him for 2 years at an average annual value of $762,500.
Ken Appleby.
The Islanders will also be keeping 27 year old undrafted goaltender Ken Appleby in the fold, in spite of the fact that Ken Appleby was not used at the NHL level last season. Ken Appleby played in the American Hockey League and the ECHL exclusively, but it would appear the Islanders feel he brings valuable depth to their organization. The Islanders have extended him for 2 years at an average annual value of $762,500
Grant Hutton.
Of the players signed by the Islanders on Saturday, at least so far, Grant Hutton was given the most term with a 3 year deal. The 26 year old defenseman scored 1 goal for the Islanders over 16 games last season, and he has been signed for an average annual value of $775,000.
Jeff Kubiak.
Kubiak has the dubious distinction of being the only player not offered a multiyear deal, signing at an average annual value of $750,00 on a one year deal. The 28 year old undrafted center spent all 56 games last season in the AHL with the Bridgeport Islanders.
Otto Koivula.
The former Islanders 4th round pick (120th overall) has also earned a 2 year deal at an average annual value of $800,000. Koivula played in 8 games for the Islanders last season, picking up a pair of assists along the way, spending the majority of his season in Bridgeport as well.
