The NY Islanders and Alex Jefferies avoid arbitration, agreeing on a new contract

With only a handful of players across the league filing for arbitration, a number of those cases have settled before arbitration began. The NY Islanders and Alex Jefferies will join that group as the two sides have come to terms on a new deal. Jefferies is signing a one-year deal that will guarantee him $130k and $850k for any time spent in the NHL.

Jefferies, 24, has played two seasons with the Islanders’ AHL affiliate, finishing the 2025-26 season with 29 points (9 G, 20 A) in 60 games.

Selected in the fourth round of the 2020 NHL Draft, Jefferies spent four seasons at Merrimack College. His best season came during his junior campaign, leading the team in scoring, racking up 41 points (14 G, 27 A) in 38 games.

With the Hamilton Hammers beginning their first season in the AHL after the relocation from Bridgeport, Jefferies will enter his third professional season.

Despite being 24 years old with no NHL experience, Jefferies still has an opportunity to make an impact with the Islanders at the NHL level. A phenomenal skater, Jefferies' legs are his most crucial skill, giving him a path to the best league in the world.

While he had some impressive numbers while at Merrimack, the production hasn’t carried over to the pros. But Jefferies skating, high level of intensity, and size at 6’0” and 200 lbs could land him a fourth-line role in a call-up situation.

Avoiding arbitration and retaining Jefferies is a smart move by the organization, especially for a first -year team in Bridgeport looking to make a splash in the AHL this season

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