The NY Islanders extend qualifying offers to 5 players

The deadline to extend qualifying offers has come and gone, with the NY Islanders retaining the RFA rights to five plays -Oliver Wahlstrom, Ruslan Iskhakov, Simon Holmstrom, Dennis Chowlowski, and Tyce Thompson.

A qualifying offer is not a signed contract between a player and a team but is necessary for a team to retain a player's rights, otherwise losing them to free agency.

Holmstrom and Iskhakov were two players with little question surrounding whether they'd receive an offer. Holmstrom is just 23 years old and has played 125 games with the Islanders over the last two seasons. Last season he finished with 25 points (15 G, 10 A), and finished second in the league with 5 short-handed goals - just one off leader Travis Konecny.

Iskhakov remains one of the Islanders' top prospects despite turning 24 before the start of the 2024/25 season. He made his NHL debut in the final game of the season and played in his first playoff game against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Cholowski and Thompson don't have too much value in terms of the Islanders but still serve a purpose with the Bridgeport Islanders. Thompson, the younger brother of Tage Thompson, was acquired by the Islanders in November. There's hope that Tyce will be a late bloomer like his brother, and is worth hanging on to.

Wahlstrom, despite being a first-round pick with high expectations, hasn't quite panned out. He played in only 32 games last season, scoring twice and adding four assists.

Lou Lamoriello, who doesn't often say much when speaking with the media, said Saturday after the draft that he planned to qualify Wahlstrom, not looking to let him walk for free. However, he'd be willing to look for a fresh start for Wahsltom elsewhere.

Nick Robertson, a former second-round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs, does not plan to re-sign in Toronto according to Chris Johnston of TSN. Could Lamoriello work out a swap of Wahlstrom for Robertson with his former employer?

Roberston played in 56 games with the Leafs last season scoring 14 goals to go along with 13 assists. A fresh start on a new line could be worth the move for both sides.