A deeper look into the NY Islanders three depth signings

Julien Gauthier (2 years, $787.5AAV)

Who needs first-rounders when you can sign former ones? At 26, Gauthier is still young enough where the flashes of potential keep you thinking there may be a higher ceiling than an energy fourth-liner for the former 2016 1st round pick (21st overall) of the Carolina Hurricanes.

Standing 6'4, 220 pounds, he possesses a combination of size and speed that adds to his intrigue. When the New York Rangers acquired him in 2020 for prospect Joey Keane, Gauthier had racked up the fourth most goals in the AHL over the two prior seasons (53), scoring 26 goals in 44 games during the 2019-20 season while playing for the Charlotte Checkers, the Hurricanes' AHL affiliate.

Whether it be a lack of opportunity or a lack of a finishing touch, the goal production has not followed him to the NHL. Playing regularly less than 10 minutes a night, and without a consistent line, he just had two goals in 47 career NHL games before the 2021 season. After scoring six goals in 40 games with the Blueshirts last season, he was dealt at the deadline with a 7th-round pick to the Ottawa Senators for D Tyler Motte.

The signing has fans wondering what the next move is, as the Islanders have little room over the salary cap and still need to re-sign RFA Oliver Wahlstrom. Even if a blockbuster trade for Alex DeBrincat isn't in the cards, there is at least one transaction with the current roster happening after the Gauthier signing. With Gauthier signing his two-year deal, the Islanders have now had the 19th (Kieffer Bellows), 20th (Dennis Cholowski), and 21st (Gauthier) in their organization.

Karson Kuhlman (1 year 2-way contract $775k AAV)

You may not have realized this, but Kulman brings with him Stanley Cup Final experience. As a 23-year old, he was thrust into action for Game 6 against the St. Louis Blues in a do-or-die game for the Boston Bruins. All the then-rookie did was score a goal in a 5-1 win to force a Game 7 back in Boston.

Kuhlman is a hard-working versatile forward, though he has spent most of his career as a fourth-line center. He plays the type of high-energy, north-south game that fits in well with what the Islanders do and what you'd expect from a bottom-six forward on this team. He was with Boston from 2018-22, playing in 75 games over parts of four seasons, scoring seven goals and eight assists.

In January 2022, he was claimed off waivers by the expansion Seattle Kraken and the Kraken brought him back on a one year-deal for last season. "He helped our line; he helped me as a linemate," said line-mate Yanni Gourde about Kuhlman. "I knew what I was getting out of him every single night. He works really hard. We had that chemistry where I knew what he was going to do with the puck, and it makes us look faster."

Kuhlman was picked up off waivers by the Winnipeg last season on 33 games, scoring two goals and two assists for the Jets. He's expected to provide center-depth at Bridgeport and also brings leadership qualities to the AHL affiliate, having captained UMD's 2018 Frozen Four national championship team.

Brian Pinho (1 year 2-way contract $775k AAV)

The 28-year-old Pinho spent the 2022-23 season with the Utica Comets, the AHL affiliate of the New Jersey Devils, recording 10 goals and 28 points in 53 career games. Drafted in the sixth round of the 2013 NHL Draft (174th overall), Pinho went on to be a four-year player at Providence College, was named Most Outstanding Freshman, and steadily improved his point production each of his first three NCAA seasons.

As a senior, he was named the top defensive forward in Hockey East and in all of New England. After his senior year, he signed a two-year entry level contract with the Washington Capitals and made his professional debut with Hershey (AHL) in the 2018-19 season.

In his first AHL season, he tallied 12 points (4G, 8A) in 73 games, with his most memorable moment coming against Bridgeport in the Calder Cup Playoffs, scoring a series-clinching OT goal in Game 5. His best professional year came the next season in 2019-20 when he scored 20 goals in 62 games. He made his NHL debut during the 2021 season, appearing in two games for the Capitals without registering a point. Pinho spent the 2022-23 season with the Utica Comets, an AHL affiliate of the New Jersey Devils, scoring 10 goals and 18 assists in 53 games.