The New York Islanders Re-Signed a Free Agent to Begin the Next Set of Moves Before the NHL Draft

The New York Islanders signed pending restricted free agent Kyle MacLean to a new, three-year contract extension with a $775,000 cap hit. This crosses one thing off GM Lou Lamoriello's to-do list as we get closer to the NHL Draft and free agency. We explain why this was a good move by Lou and how MacLean fits into the team's plans for 2024-25.
We also continue our profile of players the Isles could select with the 20th overall pick in the draft with center Cole Beaudoin, We break down his strengths and weaknesses and discuss why he would be a good fit for the Islanders organization.
And we continue our player by player look at the Isles season with Grant Hutton and Ken Appleby, two players who spent most of the season in Bridgeport but who played a handful of games with the big club. Do either of them fit into the team's plans going forward?
And we have a four-time Stanley Cup winner as our Islanders birthday of the day, a player who may have been the biggest trade steal ever by Bill Torrey.
All this and more on today's Locked On Islanders Podcast with Gil Martin.
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[@clebo99]

I'm liking the show more and more. I'd like to see maybe an opening montage with music before you start talking. I'd also think about maybe a little different camera angle (pull back about 2-3 feet). Maybe start having some co-hosts/guests to mix it up. I'm using SDPN as an example of a podcast that is pretty darn good and I think you can get there we a few tweaks.

[@LockedOnIslanders]

Thanks for the comment, clebo99. I'm glad you're enjoying the show. Always working to make it better.

[@thomasmorris6667]

Let Martin and Cal walk. Not even a question to me.

[@LockedOnIslanders]

Most fans agree, thomasmorris6667, but Lou is the one calling the shots. We'll see what he does. Thanks for the comment.

[@jimerrigo7142]

I heard they will not sign Boomer's son-in law

[@max2238]

Everything is cool in Lou Lou land nothing to worry about😂😂😮😮😮

[@LockedOnIslanders]

LOL. Is this a burner account for Lou? LOL. Thanks for the comment, Max.

[@jimerrigo7142]

do you have an episode where viewers can ask questions?

[@LockedOnIslanders]

Any time you want to ask questions, email them to [e-mail]. I answer them whenever they come on although sometimes I'll wait for 2 or 3 to accumulate. Thanks for the comment, jimerrigo7142.

[@AlexPomeroy13]

My teams New York Islanders are going to have a busy free agent ever let's go Islanders

[@LockedOnIslanders]

I hope so AlexPomeroy13. Thanks for the comments.

[@AlexPomeroy13]

@@LockedOnIslanders your welcome anytime and yeah

[@bobhenry6159]

No brainer signing.

[@LockedOnIslanders]

Tough to argue with signing him for the league minimum. Thanks for the comment, Bob.

[@vee_da_reaper2350]

Bro this is a waste of time the Islanders need star power not mediocre players fire Lou please cuz this dude is a joke straight up, the New York Islanders are a four-time Stanley cup champion there's no reason for this team to be mediocre there's no reason for this team to lose to a joke of a team name the hurricanes, we should be on the same level as the New York rangers it's disgusting that the New York rangers made it further than the Islanders

[@LockedOnIslanders]

I also think it's past time the Isles moved on from Lou. But ownership decided not to do that again. As long as Lou remains, the team will sacrifice the future and be in win now mode. Unfortunately, they are only the chase for one of the final playoff spots at best. They are far from a Cup contender and will likely remain that way as long as Lou remains the GM. Thanks for the comment, vee_da_reaper2350.

[@stevenbauer4799]

MacLean? h0 hum. Another bottom line fit for louzer. And east teams are already making moves. nj got their goalie markstrom. Flames now have 9, 10 in draft. Caps dumped kuemper to la for pld. Even goodrow is back to sj so sharks got some bottom line help. If anyone thinks that louzer is gonna jump into the trade festivities and improve isles needs their head examined. Louzer will trade the first by draft night-count on that. Then louzer will dikker around trying to move someone like 44 or 27 thinking he will get value for them then realize mid july the only thing he can do is go into future picks to dump one. If connolly gets past caps at 17 i'd say take him but the pick will be gone by then. He is the second best player in draft. And the boards have guys going all over the place as of now. Eiserman who could be drafted by yzerman could be a big draft day dropper too. Did you ever see anyone that needs alot yet has nothing to buy with? That is louzer. Chychrun is available again. As well as all of those scorers. Maybe louzer could send 3 or 6 to utah yotes with $41 mill. in cap space who need d men and get some of their plethora of rd 1-3 picks next two drafts yotes can't possibly keep. At least former yotes are no longer a dumping ground for bad ltir deals so louzer can't even do a ladd type deal. Latest rumours-isles in on marner, laine, ehlers. necas-no, necas for ehlers deal. One says isles should offer sheet cats lundell. What if both seconds went for ehlers? Isles keep the first use '25 first for marner since laffs lack '25 first with 6 in deal?

[@LockedOnIslanders]

I fully expect Lou to trade the first round pick as well. Lou is definitely someone who needs a lot but is too deep into debt to actually buy anything else. This is all his own doing. Thanks for the comment, Steven. As for MacLean, they signed him for the minimum and he's a 4th line guy. If Lou doesn't re-sign Clutter and Martin, that's a small step in the right direction.

[@robertsullivan1241]

Cup contenders now…. 0:00

[@LockedOnIslanders]

LOL. Of course. I think it's a good move but obviously it's not a game changer. Let's hope for more in the next few weeks which I'll discuss on this episode. Thanks for the comment, Robert.

[@jimerrigo7142]

this is news worthy? The guy STINKS...Here is the problem with this GM, because he thinks it is a good deal we all should. In reality people who know hockey think this guy is a AHL player not NHL...Lou please retire, you know nothing about hockey at this point in your life....HHeellloo Bertuzzi is available,,,HHeelllOoo so is Reinhart....and come up with MacLean what a joke you have become...

[@LockedOnIslanders]

Signing MacLean for the league minimum is not a bad move. He's a 4th line guy and that's what you should be paying most of your 4th line guys. Is this a huge step forward? No. If he doesn't re-sign Clutter and Martin, it's a small step forward. Even if MacLean doesn't pan out, you don't lose much since he signed for the league minimum and you could always send him back to Bridgeport. Thanks for the comment, jimerrigo7142.

[@jimerrigo7142]

@@LockedOnIslanders This GM will never make a splash in the hockey business anymore, his time is over

[@TheHowMan68]

Question for you Gil….how much can a team retain in salary to move a player to another team - instead of a full buyout? Does NHL have conditions for that? Obviously no one wants to pay 50% of a contract..but are there any restrictions? Thank you great show as usual!! LGI!!!

[@LockedOnIslanders]

I believe it's 50 percent but I'll have to double check. Thanks for the comment and the kind words, TheHowMan68.

[@darrellbevacqua3871]

Really like the way MacLean played last season. Happy he will be with the team the next few years! LGI

[@jimerrigo7142]

wow how many goals did he get? dude if you think he is good, you do not know hockey...

[@LockedOnIslanders]

He played his role well and keeping him will make the 4th line younger and less expensive assuming Lou doesn't re-sign Martin or Clutterbuck. Thanks for the comment, Darrell, always good to hear from you.

[@LockedOnIslanders]

He's not an All Star by any means, but he's an inexpensive and younger alternative to Clutterbuck and Martin playing for the league minimum. Thanks for the comment, jimerrigo7142.

[@patriciabeecher72]

He’s only going to get better. Good signing.

[@jimerrigo7142]

@@patriciabeecher72 dude is 25, when is he going to get better?

[@JohnSmith-ds1fm]

Good signing of Maclean gritty player that's what they need

[@LockedOnIslanders]

It makes sense for sure. Thanks for the comment, JohnSmith-ds1fm.

[@tonypalumbo898]

Good morning team. Gil, I like MacLean, but I too think this was a no brainer signing. Excited to see what his role can manifest to. Do you think he may, at some point in his career, be a 2nd line player? I do see that kind of potential for him. I'm anxious to read your thoughts about it. Still lots of things, Lou can mastermind, before the start of next season. But is he willing to pull the trigger on the opportunities that are out there, and do the Islanders have to cap room? Everyone, have a great day! Try to stay cool. See you all again next time. Until then.. Let's Go Islanders!!

[@LockedOnIslanders]

Tony, I think he could be a solid third line player. To be a second liner, you have to have 20 goal potential. I'm not saying MacLean won't ever get there, but he has to prove it to me first. I hope we see more moves from Lou soon. Thanks for the comment, Tony, always great to hear from you and LGI.

[@jeremy.fordavon4030]

What would you estimate Romanov's next contract to be if he has a season up coming similar to this past year or slightly improving? 81gp 7g 15a 22pts +23 18:47 TOI

[@LockedOnIslanders]

Somewhere in the $5- 6 million per year range for 3-5 years. What do you think, Jeremy? Thanks for the comment.

[@jeremy.fordavon4030]

@@LockedOnIslanders I'd put him more in the $4 - 4.5m range for a couple of years.

[@jeremy.fordavon4030]

Signing McLean and the way he has played, makes Pageau expendable, with some favourable math. McLean 25 $775K (3 seasons) Cizikas 33 $2.5m (3 seasons) Pageau turning 32 in Nov. $5m (2 seasons) Cizikas can take the #C role and McLean is more than adequate at 4C. By moving Pageau, you gain $4.25m in cap space, and drop 7 years in age. McLean at center between Fasching and Engvall (Gauthier) is no worse off than 17-53-15. Cizikas between Holmstrom and (I'd like Chandler Stephenson) would be fine for a third line. Nelson with Palmieri (need to move out Lee and bring in a DeBrusk type of player...Ehlers would be ideal). Horvat with Barzal and Iskhakov or flip Iskhakov to Nelson's line.

[@vee_da_reaper2350]

Your stupid, the Islanders need star power are you paying attention?? Islanders need star powerrr

[@LockedOnIslanders]

Ideally, that's a good lineup. Will be tough for Lou to put that roster together and fit in the cap. The only concern I have for MacLean is he is not good in the faceoff circle while Pageau is very good. Thanks for the comment. LGI.

[@LockedOnIslanders]

Will be difficult to add a star power without trading away a high priced contract or two. Lou hasn't got much cap space and has too many players on the roster with bad contracts and NTCs (full or modified). Let's see if he can make some deals to free up cap space. Thanks for the comment, vee_da_reaper2350.

[@jeremy.fordavon4030]

@@LockedOnIslanders If Lou can move out Pageau and Lee, then it is very doable to add Stephenson and Ehlers or DeBrusk.

[@robertmarschall3169]

Gil, No u don’t re-sign clutter and the mayor. Senile Lou should have never resigned them two years ago. If he brings them back again I’m waving the white flag. The fourth line next year is Maclean,fasching and gauthier. All under contract.

[@LockedOnIslanders]

Robert, it makes sense what you say, but does it make sense to Lou? That's the big question. Thanks for the comment.

[@skinbleaching125]

i have seen flashes of briliiance from kyle. there was one goal where he faked the goalie out of his jock strap. it would not surprise me the least bit that this guy could potentially be a 30 goal scorer.

[@LockedOnIslanders]

30 goals is a big step. I'd like to see 20 first. He did show flashes of offensive ability and hopefully, he can add to that. I like the way he played and hope he can build on it. Thanks for the comment, skin, always good to hear from you.