The NY Islanders have options in free agency if they can't come to terms with Mike Reilly

Erik Brannstrom

Selected by the Vegas Golden Knights 15th overall in 2017, Erik Brannstrom spent last season with the Ottawa Senators. In an early season matchup with the Islanders, Brannstrom suffered what looked to be a serious injury after a hit from Cal Clutterbuck but only missed a few games before returning.

Brannstrom isn't as offensive-minded as Reilly, but is still capable with the puck and he'll be only 25 years old once the season begins. A left-handed shot, Brannstrom finished last season with 20 points (3 G, 17A). Though he might not be an ideal replacement for Reilly, he's six years younger, shouldn't cost much, and still has room to grow in his game.

Jake Bean

One of the surprise names not to be qualified yesterday, Jake Bean will become a free agent at 26 years old. The Columbus Blue Jackets, who have some high-end defensemen in their prospect pool like Denton Mateychuk and David Jiricek who are ready to make an impact in the NHL, Columbus weren't willing to shell out $2.8M for a third-pairing defenseman.

Bean spent three seasons with Columbus after being acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes, with his production dropping each year. Last season he had just 13 points (4 G, 9 A) in 72 games while playing 16:19 a game. Just two years earlier Bean put up 25 points in (7 G, 18 A), playing over 20 minutes a game and earning time on the power play, contributing 4 points.

Bean will likely have plenty of suitors beginning today, and the Islanders may be priced out if there's a bidding war.

Nate Schmidt

Not the ideal replacement for Reilly as he's 33 years old, but Nate Schmidt is likely the cheapest option and plays a similar style to Reilly.

The Winnipeg Jets are buying out the final year of Schmidt's contract in which he was set to earn $5.95M. With the Jets still on the books for money owed to Schmidt over the next two seasons, he's likely willing to take much less money from his next employer, as a deal can maybe get done for around $1M.

Scoring only 2 goals and 12 assists in 63 games last season, Schmidt averaged under 17 minutes a game for the first time in seven seasons. In a diminished role where he didn't earn as much time on the power play as in previous seasons, Schmidt still contributed 5 points on the man advantage.

A cost-effective option, the Islanders could sign Schmidt to a one-year deal (if they can't come to terms with Reilly), searching for a better option next off-season.