Islanders News: Qualifying Offer day leads a ‘busy week’
Barzal gives you guys a qualifying hug. | Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
The dust has cleared on the draft, now more trades, offers and signings are imminent around the league. The next step in the busy July portion of the NHL’s pandemic-condensed offseason schedule is qualifying offers to restricted free agents, which are due by the close of business today.
Though Lou Lamoriello said no decisions would be made until today, this is usually fairly routine stuff (unless you’re Dale Tallon in Chicago, circa 2009). The biggest Islanders RFAs are no-brainers for qualifying offers, which — depending on current salary — carry an offer of, at minimum, somewhere between the same salary to a 10% raise. The real business with the RFAs will come near the arbitration deadline for those who have arbitration rights, or else as other salary slots are filled throughout the summer.
It’s a unique summer in that all of the Islanders’ key RFAs (Adam Pelech, Anthony Beauvillier, Ilya Sorokin) have arbitration rights, plus Michael Dal Colle, too.
However, RFAs on two-way contracts also need qualifying offer decisions, so it’s possible some players we associate with Bridgeport will be allowed to walk.
Of note, Kieffer Bellows is an RFA without arb rights, but late-season signing Anatoly Golyshev has arbitration rights.
All of the above statuses are according to Cap Friendly.
Islanders News
No major additions after yesterday’s post-draft news dump, but Dan and Mike checked in with a new episode of Islanders Anxiety to digest all the many events that have taken place since the end of the season. [LHH]
There’s more to come this week, with the QOs due today and free agency formally beginning on Wednesday.
The following roundups each have at least one Islanders mention:
There will be a theme in the next three weeks: It’s a busy week ahead in the NHL. Elliotte Friedman discusses Jack Eichel, the wide-open goalie-go-round, and more. Old friend Calvin de Haan may be available yet again. News about Kyle Palmieri is quiet so “he’s probably already locked up.” [Sportsnet]
A whole lot about Dougie Hamilton (among other rumblings), whom Carolina still wants to keep, but he may have his pick of mammoth offers from several teams (New Jersey?). [LeBrun at Athletic]
More league-wide rumblings, with Zach Parise possibly getting interest from other teams, Ryan Suter receiving interest from several teams (Dallas?) but looking for a two- or three-year deal, and possible Isles fallback Alec Martinez weighing a short-term offer from Vegas. [Fourth Period]
Elsewhere
Not-news news: The Capitals expect to re-sign Alex Ovechkin this week. [NHL]
Leafs GM Kyle Dubas on the philosophy of whether to facilitate a sign-and-trade so another team can give your free agent eight years. [TSN]
Buyout Alert: The Canucks expect to pay Jake Virtanen to go away. He was already on leave due to sexual misconduct allegations. [NHL]
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