Isles News and Links 9/6/2015: Islanders Sign Steve Bernier to PTO

Need your daily dose of all-things Islanders? We’ve got everything here covered from around the Internet and the ever-growing Twitter-sphere. As we prepare for the start of a new era in Brooklyn, keep it here on Eyes on Isles for the latest news and reaction about everything Islanders.

Islanders Sign Unrestricted Free Agent Steve Bernier to a Professional Tryout (PTO) Contract

Islanders Transaction: Forward Steve Bernier has signed a PTO. #Isles
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) September 9, 2015

The Islanders announced that UFA right winger and fourth line grinder Steve Bernier to a PTO on Wednesday. He is no star of course, but will make tryouts more competitive and could add decent experience and depth if he makes the team.

Here is a little 101 on Steve Bernier:

Position: RW

Previous Team: New Jersey Devils

From: Quebec City, Canada

Drafted: 16th overall in 2003

Career NHL Games Played: 609

Career NHL Goals Scored: 104

Career NHL Assists Scored: 120

Career NHL Points Scored: 224

Best Season: 2008-09 with the Vancouver Canucks. He played in 81 games and scored 32 points. Helped the team go to the second round of the playoffs in a checking line role.

This news came around the same time as David Booth and Curtis Glencross accepted PTOs with their respective teams:

David Booth is back with the #FlaPanthers after accepting training camp PTO http://t.co/qfmSSIv8EI
— George Richards (@GeorgeRichards) September 9, 2015

Maple Leafs sign UFA Curtis Glencross to PTO, reports @FAN590Walker. Gonna be one competitive camp: http://t.co/K2wPlIR4Tq
— luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) September 9, 2015

A pretty big confidence it is that all three were signed to PTOs around the same time all at once. That tells you something about the state of the unrestricted free agent market at the moment.

Barclays Centre Host Auditions Taking Place

#Isles In-Arena Host Auditions to take place this week at @barclayscenter. Details here: http://t.co/bUcTQcE9WH pic.twitter.com/ZglJHY5WcO
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) September 8, 2015

When is Brock Nelson Going to Re-Sign?

With NHL training camp just around the corner, New York Islanders fans are getting a bit worried about the fact that Brock nelson has not re-signed with the team yet. Arthur Staple made an interesting point:

#Isles will bring F Steve Bernier to camp on a PTO. Would think that's insurance in case there's no deal with Brock Nelson.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) September 9, 2015

But I think in the end he will re-sign. There hasn’t been an RFA holding out on his team for a whole season in a long time. Worst case scenario, he will sign a one-year contract.

John Tavares says he expects RFA Brock Nelson to be in training camp for the start: "I'm not too concerned... I believe it’ll get done."
— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) September 9, 2015

Daniel Friedman talks about the Islanders’ RFA policy here:

ICYMI: #Isles' RFA policy will only backfire if it's enforced. More on the Brock Nelson situation: http://t.co/dKzYe9Eh3q
— Daniel Friedman (@DanJFriedman) September 9, 2015

Please work out a deal with Brock Nelson. Please work out a deal with Brock Nelson. Please work out a deal with Brock Nelson. Please work o
— Dan (@cultureoflosing) September 9, 2015

Stay tuned for the next edition of Isles News and Links.

Next: Isles Should Sign a Seventh Defenceman

More from Eyes On Isles

<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” lang=”en”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>Report: Isles third jersey will feature “altered” NY crest <a href=”http://t.co/xqK4DgNYaH”>http://t.co/xqK4DgNYaH</a></p>— IslandersPointBlank (@IslandersPB) <a href=”https://twitter.com/IslandersPB/status/639519388488433664″>September 3, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src=”//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>

Home/NY Islanders News