Predicting Islanders' 2024 Offseason Contract Extensions – Hockey Writers – New York Islanders

The New York Islanders only have a handful of signings this offseason. The biggest expiring deal was for Ilya Sorokin, but he has an extension in place that he signed last season. The roster is almost completely signed to long-term contracts so the next few seasons are expected to be strong. However, there is still work to be done – what will the next free agent contracts look like?

Mike Reilly

Mike Reilly was claimed by the New York Islanders in November 2023 and played in almost every game. He had six goals and 24 points in 59 regular-season contests as an Islander, along with a goal and an assist in five playoff games. He played just over 17 minutes a game but stifled a defense that historically has not known that name.

Related: 2023-24 New York Islanders: Too Long, Too Much Money

Reilly has struggled to find a spot on an NHL roster but fits in well with the Islanders. Although his defense was the talk of the town prior to his stay with the Islanders, he has been a pleasant surprise on Long Island. He's not built for the penalty kill, but he can hold his own against opposing top lines.

The Islanders should prioritize bringing him back, and he should be affordable. His 2022-23 salary was $1 million, and his next salary should be the same. He'll likely be brought back on a one-year contract, perhaps two, worth around $1.25 million in annual average value (AAV).

Simon Holmstrom

Simon Holmstrom is the Islanders most recent first round pick, dating back to 2019 when he was selected 23rd overall. He is a versatile winger who can play on both wings and is good on the penalty kill. He is 22 years old and has scored 15 goals in 75 games. However, he shot with a 20.8% success rate, which is a number that should go down.

His next contract will likely be a bridge deal. The contract comparisons are endless, but he should come in around the 1 million AAV mark, maybe more. The Islanders are notorious for being tough on their young players, so it's hard to imagine him going over $1.2 million.

Oliver Wahlstrom

Oliver Wahlstrom may be playing in the NHL next season, but it's unlikely he'll be with the Islanders. This season he played only 32 games, scoring two goals. This has been his worst season since joining the Islanders organization, and he needs to join a new team. His next contract will likely be for one year, around $900,000.

Kyle MacLean

Kyle MacLean was a name few Islanders fans knew heading into the season, but he quickly emerged as a fan favorite. He is a relentless starter who is not afraid to get physical. He rebounds hard and forces opponents to find their chances at just 25 years of age. He can also play in the middle and on the left. His next contract will be for two seasons at an estimated $950,000 AAV mark. This will be a great opportunity for him to earn more money if he can keep his place in the NHL.

Cal Clutterbuck and Matt Martin

Cal Clutterbuck and Matt Martin have embodied what it means to be an Islander throughout their time in New York. However, it appears they may be hanging up the skates this offseason amid recent internet speculation. If this is the end, they will go down as fan favorites. However, if they stick around, their contract values ​​can be difficult to measure. A comeback is only possible with the goal of winning a Stanley Cup, so they are likely to sign for the league's lowest price, or close to it, for a one-year contract.

Robert Bortuzzo and Sebastian Aho

Robert Bortuzzo was a valuable midseason asset to fill in for an injured defenseman, and Sebastian Aho has been a great option on defense in recent years. Unfortunately, no one seems to have a spot on the Islanders roster next season. Bortuzzo is likely to retire, and Aho will try to find a spot on another NHL team. His next contract is likely to be for one or two seasons for around $2 million.

The Islanders have time to evaluate each pending agent and have a role in the team's progress. The team doesn't have a huge cap space with multiple roles to fill, so bringing back a few of these pending free agents on cheap deals seems like the way to go.