Lou Lamoriello aggressively shopping two long-time Islanders to free up cap space
We have reached August and the rumor that won't go away is, Nazem Kadri signing with the New York Islanders. Islanders' GM Lou Lamoriello is known to keep his cards close to his chest which doesn't slow down the speculation.
The Islanders have $11,185,037 in cap space available. If the rumor is true and Kadri is signing, that will eat up a good chunk of the $11 million. They also have two promising young RFA defenders in Noah Dobson, and Alexander Romanov who need deals.
Some have already begun to speculate that those deals are already be in place for Dobson and Romanov.
There is only so much cap space for Lou to work with, someone has to go. Hockey Insider Frank Seravalli has heard New York is shopping forwards Josh Bailey and Anthony Beauvillier.
Bailey, 32, has this season and next season left on his contract and with a $5 million salary cap hit. During the 2021-2022 season Baily scored 14 goals and 44 points in 74 games while averaging 16:53 in ice time.
Beauvillier, 25, has two years remaining on his deal with a cap hit of $4,150,000. Beauvillier scored 12 goals and 34 points while averaging 16:50 in ice time.
It has been the theme this offseason with many teams up against the cap, to trade good players with term. Columbus did this with Oliver Bjorkstrand and his $5,400,000 for the next four seasons only receiving a 3rd and 4th round pick back as compensation.
Tampa did something similar in the Ryan McDonagh deal trading him and his $6,750,000 cap hit for the next four seasons receiving Grant Mismash and Philippe Myers in return.
GMs around the league know the Isles need to free up money and likely won't be doing Lou Lamoriello any favors.
| POLL | ||
Is Nazem Kadri signing with the Islanders? | ||
| Yes, not many teams left can do the cap hit | 43 | 27 % |
| Nope, going back to the Avs | 40 | 25.2 % |
| Who cares just sign somewhere already! | 76 | 47.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
