With training camp slated to open in two weeks, the Islanders officially have brought back four key contributors from their second straight run to the NHL’s final four.
Unrestricted free agents Casey Cizikas and Kyle Palmieri, as well as RFAs Anthony Beauvillier and Ilya Sorokin all were expected to return and now have signed their new deals, the team announced Wednesday.
The 30-year-old Cizikas, the center on the team’s all-important “Identity Line” alongside Cal Clutterbuck and Matt Martin, inked a deal worth $15 million over six seasons, according to multiple reports.
“I’m gonna die an Islander, that’s the way to put it,” said Cizikas, who is entering his 11th season with the team. “There was no doubt, Long Island is my home and will always be my home. There was nowhere else I wanted to be.
I want to retire an Islander. That’s my goal and that’s something I’m going to be really proud of. … It’s exciting what we’re doing right now and going forward we have one hell of a team and we’re gearing up for another big year.”
Palmieri, the former Devil acquired by GM Lou Lamoriello at the trade deadline, reportedly received a four-year deal worth $20 million, while Beauvillier was signed for three years at an average annual value of $4.15 million.
“It wasn’t something I was too stressed about. I had a good feeling that things were going to work out here,” the 30-year-old Palmieri said. “Obviously the goal of our team is no secret. We want to win the Stanley Cup. … I’m excited to spend the next four years here.
Sorokin, who appeared went in 22 regular-season games and seven more in the playoffs (4-1 with a 2.79 goals against average), will receive $12 million over the next three seasons, a source confirmed.
The Isles now are nearly $4 million over the $81.5 million salary cap, but they can rectify that by placing defenseman Johnny Boychuk on long term injured reserve for a second consecutive season.
Lamoriello shed the contracts of veterans Nick Leddy (trade) and Jordan Eberle (expansion draft) earlier in the offseason to create cap room to retain several of the Isles’ other core players as they head into their new home building at Belmont Park, UBS Arena.
“I knew it was going to get done,” Beauvillier said of his new deal. “I think Lou did a great job of keeping everyone together, the same core. And there’s nowhere else I’d rather play.
“I feel like there’s unfinished business. We came up short the last two years. It’s sad to see those two guys leave, they were a big part of our success the last two years, but it’s the side of the business we can’t really control. It’s going to be another fun year and a competing year for us and hopefully we’ll get to our goal.”
— Additional reporting by Mollie Walker
Leave a Reply