New York Islanders Sign Two AHL Level Defenseman

In the first day of free agency the New York Islanders took the quieter route and signed two AHL/NHL depth level defenseman.

Mitch did a good job yesterday covering the Kristers Gudlevskis acquisition. In case you missed it that wasn’t the only move the New York Islanders made yesterday. They signed two defenseman to a one-year two-way deal.

The first was Seth Helgeson who has spent parts of the last three years with the New Jersey Devils. Helgeson in nine games last year netted his first NHL goal for the team that drafted him in the fourth round eight years ago.

This fight against

Scott Hartnell

was likely the highlight of Helgeson’s season last year, and possibly his NHL career to date:

Just by doing a quick google search you can find that this guy is a fighter. He’s played in 50 career games but has 50 penalty minutes, and just by looking at the Hockey Fights YouTube page there are at least seven NHL level fights from him in there.

More from Free Agency

Will he get any action in the NHL this year? I’d say doubtful unless there are at least three injuries.

The other signing was Kane Lafranchise. First off, wow what a name Kane Lafranchise is, this is a guy the Islanders are familiar with at least. He’s spent the last two years with the Sound Tigers and in 67 games last year he put up 21 points.

At 29-years old and no NHL games under his belt to date, this is also likely just a depth signing for the Sound Tigers. He’s put up respectable AHL level numbers but it’s going to take a lot for Lafranchise to see any NHL action.

You would have to assume the NHL pairings will look like:

Leddy – Boychuk

de Haan – Pulock

Seidenberg – Hickey

With Pelech, Mayfield, Toews, etc. likely to get a look before either of these two veterans.

Next: Islanders Pass On Poor Free Agent Class

Take it for what it is, it’s just AHL level depth signings, nothing to get crazy over. Islander fans would love to see a big move but that’s all we have to report at the moment.