NY Islanders Sign Jesse Joensuu to One-Year Deal

The New York Islanders have announced that they have re-signed right wing Jesse Joensuu to a one-year contract.  The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.  In 50 games last season with HV-71 of the Swedish Elite League, he had 13 goals and 16 assists for 29 points.  He last appeared in an NHL game with the Islanders during the 2010-11 season, scoring six goals and three assists for nine points in 42 games.  While Joensuu has good size and some scoring ability, he could end up seeing some time in the minors next season if he can't make the team out of training camp.  If he lands a spot on the Islanders' roster for the 2012-13 season, it will likely be on the fourth line.

NY Islanders Sign Goaltender John Grahame

The New York Islanders have announced that they have signed goaltender John Grahame for the remainder of the 2011-12 season. He will play as Al Montoya's backup while Evgeni Nabokov recovers from a lower-body injury. Grahame last appeared in the NHL during the 2007-08 season with the Carolina Hurricanes. This is really just a depth signing for the Islanders, as they were likely looking for a veteran goaltender to backup Al Montoya since Kevin Poulin will be sent back to Bridgeport of the AHL to help them in the playoffs.

NY Islanders Sign Evgeni Nabokov to One-Year Extension

The New York Islanders have announced that they have re-signed goaltender Evgeni Nabokov to a one-year contract extension worth $2.75 million. He would have been eligible for unrestricted free agency this summer. In 41 games so far this season, he has an 18-18-3 record, two shutouts, a 2.54 GAA, and a .913 save percentage. This is a solid move for the Islanders, as Nabokov has been fairly steady in net all season despite the team's place in the standings. He will be an excellent option in goal next season, especially if Rick Dipietro is sidelined for a long period of time with an injury, which has become the norm for him every year.

NY Islanders Acquire Yury Alexandrov from Bruins

The New York Islanders announced on Tuesday that they have acquired defenseman Yury Alexandrov from the Boston Bruins in exchange for future considerations. He will be eligible for restricted free agency this summer. In 37 games this season with St. Petersburg SKA and Avangard Omsk of the KHL, he has three goals and three assists for six points. He has yet to appear in an NHL game. This is really just a depth signing for the Islanders, as Alexandrov is going to finish out the season in the KHL. The Islanders' scouts will likely evaluate him for the rest of the season to determine if they will give him a qualifying offer come July 1.

Bruins Acquire Brian Rolston, Mike Mottau from NY Islanders

The Boston Bruins have announced that they have acquired left wing Brian Rolston and defenseman Mike Mottau from the New York Islanders in exchange for right wing Yannick Riendeau and defenseman Marc Cantin. Rolston and Mottau will both be unrestricted free agents this summer, while Riendeau will qualify for restricted free agency. Cantin still has two years left on his current deal. In 49 games so far this season, Rolston has four goals and five assists for nine points, while Mottau has two assists in 29 games. He missed 24 games this season due to a concussion. This will be Rolston's second stint with the Bruins, where he played from 2000 to 2004. Riendeau appeared in 18 games with Providence of the AHL, scoring three goals and three assists for six points. He also played in 30 games with Reading of the ECHL, scoring nine goals and 20 assists for 29 points. Cantin was held pointless in 19 games with Providence, but scored one goal and five assists for six points in 16 games with Reading. Both Riendeau and Cantin have yet to appear in an NHL game.

Not a bad depth move for the Bruins, as Rolston and Mottau will add plenty of veteran depth to their lineup. Both players could give the team a little bit of a boost as they head into the playoffs. As for the Islanders, they've added a couple of young players to replace some impending free agents who were likely not going to be re-signed in the off-season. While neither Riendeau or Cantin are stellar players, they could potentially see some NHL action in the future.

Lightning Claim Tim Wallace Off Waivers from NY Islanders

The Tampa Bay Lightning have announced that they have claimed right wing Tim Wallace off waivers from the New York Islanders. In 31 games this season with the Islanders, he had one assist. He also appeared in 24 games with Bridgeport of the AHL, scoring nine goals and 11 assists for 20 points. This is really just a depth move for the Lightning, as Wallace could likely spend a good chunk of the rest of the season in the minors. However, with the Lightning trading off assets as the February 27 Trade Deadline approaches, he could see some time in the NHL if more players are traded.

NY Islanders Sign Frans Nielsen to Four-Year Extension

The New York Islanders have announced that they have signed center Frans Nielsen to a four-year contract extension worth $11 million. The deal averages out to $2.75 million per season. He would have been an unrestricted free agent this summer. In 55 games so far this season, he has 10 goals and 16 assists for 26 points. This is a good signing for the Islanders, as Nielsen brings plenty of two-way skill to the forward lines. He is also excellent on the power play and penalty kill, making him a very effective and important special teams player for the Islanders.

Flames Claim Blake Comeau Off Waivers from NY Islanders

The Calgary Flames have announced that they have claimed left wing Blake Comeau off waivers from the New York Islanders. In 16 games with the Islanders, he had no points and a -11 rating. In 77 games last season, he had 24 goals and 22 assists for 46 points. Not a bad pick-up for the Flames, as Comeau brings some offensive and goal scoring depth to the team despite being inconsistent in his scoring from time to time. He struggled mightily with the Islanders this season, so perhaps the change of scenery can help Comeau turn his game around.

NY Islanders Sign Jay Pandolfo to One-Year Contract

The New York Islanders have announced that they have signed left wing Jay Pandolfo to a one-year contract. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but it is believed to be for the veteran minimum of $570,000. He had been attending the team's training camp on a tryout basis. In 12 games last season with Springfield of the AHL, Pandolfo had two goals and four assists for six points. He last played in the NHL with the New Jersey Devils during the 2009-10 season. Not a bad depth signing for the Islanders, as Pandolfo will bring a lot of experience and skill to the penalty kill and is a solid forechecker. He's never had a lot of scoring upside, so look for him to play on the checking lines during the upcoming season.

NY Islanders Sign Steve Staios to One-Year Contract

The New York Islanders announced today that they have signed defenseman Steve Staios to a one-year contract. The deal is reportedly worth at least $800,000 but could increase to $1.6 million if he earns all of his bonuses. He had been attending the team's training camp on a tryout basis. In 39 games last season with the Calgary Flames, he had three goals and seven assists for 10 points. He missed 27 games with an upper body injury. Not a bad depth signing for the Islanders, as Staios will bring plenty of grit, leadership, and defensive depth to the team.

Ny Islanders Re-Sign Blake Comeau and Jon Sim

The New York Islanders have announced that they have avoided arbitration with left wing Blake Comeau and re-signed him to a one-year contract worth $2.5 million. The Islanders also announced that they have signed left wing Jon Sim to a one-year contract. The financial terms of his deal were not disclosed. In 77 games last season, Comeau had 24 goals and 22 assists for 46 points, while Sim had one goal and three assists for four points in 34 games. He also appeared in eight games with Bridgeport of the AHL, scoring seven goals and two assists for nine points. Sim left the team this past January to play with HC Fribourg-Gotteron of the Swiss League, where he had one goal in seven games. Comeau is a good signing for the Islanders, as he brings plenty of offensive and goal-scoring depth to the team despite being inconsistent in his scoring from time to time. As for Sim, he's always been held in high regard by the Islanders, so his return isn't a complete surprise despite him leaving the team in mid-season. He will bring plenty of veteran depth to the checking lines.

EDIT

Jon Sim has apparently signed with HC Pardubice of the Czech League on 8/12/11 instead of signing with the NY Islanders.

NY Islanders Sign Sean Backman to One-Year Deal

The New York Islanders announced today that they have signed center Sean Backman to a one-year, two-way contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 67 games last season with Texas of the AHL, he had seven goals and 16 assists for 23 points. He also appeared in six games with Idaho of the ECHL, scoring two goals and two assists for four points. He has yet to appear in an NHL game. This is really just a depth signing for the Islanders, as Backman will likely spend all of next season in the minors.

NY Islanders Acquire Brian Rolston from Devils for Trent Hunter

The New York Islanders have announced that they have acquired left wing Brian Rolston from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for right wing Trent Hunter. Rolston has one year left on his contract, while Hunter has two years left on his current deal. In 65 games last season with the Devils, Rolston had 14 goals and 20 assists for 34 points. He missed 14 games last December with a sports hernia. Hunter appeared in 17 games last season with the Islanders, scoring one goal and three assists for four points. He missed the last 61 games of the season with a torn left MCL. This move is really all about salary for both teams. For the Islanders, they add some salary in Rolston to help them get closer to the salary floor. He will also bring some offensive depth and veteran experience to the team. Adding Hunter gives the Devils a cheaper contract than Rolston's and gives them some extra salary cap space, which they used to help re-sign Zach Parise. It looks as if the Devils have no intentions of keeping Hunter, as GM Lou Lamoriello placed him and Colin White on waivers on Monday and stated he would buy out both contracts if the players went unclaimed. Both players went unclaimed yesterday and could be bought out soon, which would make them unrestricted free agents. More than likely Hunter will be bought out, which will give the Devils a little more salary cap space to possibly make moves during the rest of the off-season and during the 2011-12 season.

NY Islanders Sign Trevor Frischmon to One-Year Deal

The New York Islanders have announced that they have signed center Trevor Frischmon to a one-year, two-way contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 80 games last season with Springfield of the AHL, he had four goals and 25 assists for 29 points. He appeared in three games with the Columbus Blue Jackets during the 2009-10 season, scoring no points. This is nothing more than a depth signing for the Islanders, as Frischmon will more than likely spend the entire 2011-12 season in the AHL.

NY Islanders Sign Marty Reasoner to Two-Year Deal

The New York Islanders have announced that they have signed center Marty Reasoner to a two-year contract worth $2.7 million. The deal will average out to $1.35 million per season. In all 82 games last season with the Florida Panthers, he had 14 goals and 18 assists for 32 points. This is a good signing for the Islanders, as Reasoner will provide lots of veteran depth to the team. He's a decent checking center with some passing skill who should be an excellent fit for the Islanders.

Sabres Acquire Negotiating Rights to Christian Ehrhoff

The Buffalo Sabres announced tonight that they have acquired the negotiating rights to defenseman Christian Ehrhoff from the New York Islanders in exchange for a fourth round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft. He will be eligible for unrestricted free agency on July 1. His negotiating rights were acquired by the Islanders just last night from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a fourth round pick in 2012. In 79 games last season with the Canucks, he had 14 goals and 36 assists for 50 points. He also added two goals and 10 assists for 12 points in 23 playoff games. If the Sabres can get Ehrhoff signed to a new contract before Friday, this will be an excellent move for the team. He has excellent offensive skill, is great on the power play, and can log lots of minutes. Buffalo will likely do all they can before Friday to get him under contract before he becomes an unrestricted free agent.

NY Islanders Acquire Negotiating Rights to Christian Ehrhoff

The New York Islanders announced tonight that they have acquired the negotiating rights to defenseman Christian Ehrhoff from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a fourth round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft. He will be eligible for unrestricted free agency on July 1. It became apparent in recent days that Ehrhoff would be headed to the free agent market when he turned down a contract offer from Vancouver that would have paid him $4.6 million per season. In 79 games last season with the Canucks, he had 14 goals and 36 assists for 50 points. He also added two goals and 10 assists for 12 points in 23 playoff games. If the Islanders can get Ehrhoff signed to a new contract, this will be an excellent move for the team and greatly improve their defensive corps. He has excellent offensive skill, is great on the power play, and can log lots of minutes. New York will likely be aggressive over the next two days to get him under contract before he becomes an unrestricted free agent.

NY Islanders Sign Tomas Marcinko to One-Year Contract

The New York Islanders announced on Monday that they have signed center Tomas Marcinko to a one-year, two-way contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. He would have been a restricted free agent on July 1. In 66 games last season with Bridgeport of the AHL, he had four goals and seven assists for 11 points. He has yet to appear in an NHL game. This is really just a depth signing for the Islanders, as Marcinko will likely spend the majority of next season in the minors.

Lightning Acquire Bruno Gervais from NY Islanders

The Tampa Bay Lightning announced on Saturday that they have acquired defenseman Bruno Gervais from the New York Islanders in exchange for future considerations. He is eligible for restricted free agency on July 1. In 53 games last season, he had six assists. Not a bad depth move for the Lightning, as Gervais will add some much needed puck-moving skill to the blueline. Although, he will more than likely be a sixth or seventh depth defenseman for the team next season.

NY Islanders Sign Trevor Gillies to One-Year Contract

The New York Islanders announced on Friday that they have signed left wing Trevor Gillies to a one-year, two-way contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. He would have been an unrestricted free agent on July 1. In 39 games last season with the Islanders, he had two goals and 165 penalty minutes. He missed 19 games this past March due to suspensions for two separate incidents involving hits to the heads of Pittsburgh's Eric Tangradi and Minnesota's Cal Clutterbuck. This is nothing more than a depth signing for the Islanders, as Gillies plays with lots of grit and toughness, but has no offensive upside. Look for him to spend more time in the penalty box than actually playing on the ice next season.