New York Islanders: 3 Things That Need to Happen in August

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NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 07: Joshua Ho-Sang #66 of the New York Islanders passes the puck against the Buffalo Sabres in the first period at Barclays Center on October 7, 2017 in the Brooklyn Borough of New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Signing Our Own RFAs

The New York Islanders have three RFAs that need to be re-signed; Josh Ho-Sang, Michael Dal Colle, and Anthony Beauvillier. There’s no reason to drag this on further than it has to. Neither of them has any particular leverage over the Islanders to make any sort of demands.

Anthony Beauvillier had a terrible year with 28 points in 82 games. He may have scored fewer in his rookie season, but Beau only played in 66 games that year. The 2018-19 season was actually his worse on record.

After five years Michael Dal Colle finally had a good run in the NHL. Taken fifth overall in the 2014 draft we thought Dal Colle could be an NHL regular by now. But in 28 games he scored a whole seven points. Not great for a former fifth overall pick five years ago.

Josh Ho-Sang, taken in the same draft as Dal Colle, hasn’t fared much better. He’s had more NHL time and he’s done more with it, scoring 24 points in 53 games. But the organization just doesn’t seem to see eye-to-eye with Ho-Sang. He’s spent most of his post-draft hockey career playing in the AHL.

So why do I want to see this sorted out in August? Why am I in a rush to get them under contract? Because I’m hoping it somehow reveals Lou’s big master plan for the 2019-20 season.

Does he give Josh Ho-Sang prove it money and stick him in the NHL this year? Does he put maximum pressure on Anthony Beauvillier with a single year deal in the hopes that he gets the best out him? Did Dal Colle do enough to earn Lou’s trust?

I’m hoping that their next deals show something about what the organization expects from them next season.