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Islanders RFAs: What’s the story on all 2021 restricted free agents

By Michel Anderson

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - APRIL 11: Ilya Sorokin #30 and Adam Pelech #3 of the New York Islanders skate against the New York Rangers at the Nassau Coliseum on April 11, 2021 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Rangers 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - APRIL 11: Ilya Sorokin #30 and Adam Pelech #3 of the New York Islanders skate against the New York Rangers at the Nassau Coliseum on April 11, 2021 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Rangers 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 26: Kieffer Bellows #20 of the New York Islanders. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Non-NHL Roster Players

(Any player with a * has arbitration rights)

Kieffer Bellows
Qualifying offer: $874,125 (two-way)

He couldn’t make the Isles roster full-time this year. He even found his way to Barry Trotz’s dog house at one point. He could be selected by Seattle in the expansion draft, but he might stay as well. If he does maybe we see Lou pull out a carbon copy of Michael Dal Colle’s bridge deal?

That was a two-year $1.4 million contract. With the league minimum being $750,00 bump that to a $1.5 million deal over two years.

Dmytro Timashov*
Qualifying offer: $750,000 (two-way)

Timashov might not be an NHL’er but he could be a good AHL’er in the right circumstance. Perhaps with more skill headed to Bridgeport, Timashov could find some good chemistry and put up points. His eleven points in 22 games don’t sound great, but few had good years in Bridgeport.

I expect him to stay and have a better year in 2021-22.

Otto Koivula
Qualifying offer: $769,125 (two-way)

This is season was a bit of a disappointment for Otto Koivula. It seems he was let down when he returned to the AHL after being so close to an NHL spot. Maybe Seattle comes for the big Finn instead of Bellows, I feel like he might jump at the chance to get a new start for an expansion club.

If he stays I fully expect to see him sign for a league-minimum $7500,000 AAV with an increased minors payday (he was getting $70,000 to play in the minors).

Anatolii Golyshev*
Qualifying offer: $750,000 (two-way)

Thanks to COVID delays, Anatolii Golyshev never got to play a game in North America before the season came to an end. The Russian forward arrived too late to take part in any of the Sound Tigers games. But, like Sorokin last year, he’s had plenty of practice time.

The Islanders have a plan for him. What that plan is might seem more obvious when he’s actually put pen to paper on that next deal.

Bobo Carpenter*
Qualifying offer: $750,000 (two-way)

If there’s anyone on this list that might not get a qualifying offer it’s Bobo Carpenter. Not to say he won’t be qualified. Josh Ho-Sang received a qualifying offer last year after all.

Carpenter had an alright 2021 AHL season with the Sound Tigers. He could be a good bottom-six veteran for them in 2021-22.

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