New York Islanders Pending 2017 Free Agent Class

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Feb 25, 2017; Columbus, OH, USA; New York Islanders goalie Jean-Francois Berube (30) against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets won 7-0. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

The end of the season is almost upon us! With that comes a review of the New York Islanders Free Agent situation heading into the 2017 offseason. Who should stay and who should they let go?

Going into the 2017 offseason the New Yor Islanders have five pending free agents. Either restricted or unrestricted. What should they do with them?

The Isles have two restricted free agents in Calvin de Haan and Adam Pelech. In order to retain their right’s the Islanders have to tender qualifying offers to them by, either, “June 25 at 5:00 pm ET or by the first Monday after the Entry Draft”. (CBA Article 10.2 (ii))

Tendering these offers to both gives the Isles the rights of first refusal, which just means that if either player signs an offer sheet from any other NHL club, the Isles have the right to match it or receive the compensation set out in the CBA from that other club.

Then there’s the two unrestricted free agents on the Islanders books; Denis Seidenberg and Stephen Gionta.

Both were brought in to serve a specific purpose and have filled that purpose. Seidenberg to give the Isles blueline a veteran presence and a reliable bottom tier option. Gionta was brought in as injury cover.

That only makes four, right? We’ll then there’s Jean-Francois Berube. Who’s supposed to be a restricted free agent by the end of the season, but since he hasn’t played the require number of games to keep that status, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. Thankfully.