Evgenii Dadonov and Four Other Islanders UFA Targets
Free agency is upon us and the Islanders need to make some adjustments over the next few months. While Mike Hoffman and Patrik Laine are the names everybody is talking about, there are more realistic targets, like Evgenii Dadonov, Erik Haula and Craig Smith, the Islanders can pursue in October. Let’s analyze a few targets.
1. Evgenii Dadonov
His full name is Yevgeny Anatolyevich Dadonov but many people don’t know that. Another thing many people don’t know is Dadonov is 11th is points among right wingers since he returned to the NHL is 2017. Hoffman is the Panthers unrestricted free agent fans want, but Evgenii Dadonov is a more realistic Islanders target.
2019-20 Cap Hit: $4 million
Projected Next Contract: five-year, $25 million contract
2. Erik Haula
The Islanders love defensively-responsible forwards and Erik Haula is exactly that. The 28-year-old tallied over two points per 60 minutes in 41 games with the Carolina Hurricanes last season, notching 12 goals 10 assists before a mid-season trade. With Derick Brassard entering free agency, Haula could be a perfect replacement on the third line.
2019-20 Cap Hit: $2.75 million
Projected Next Contract: four-year, $14 million contract
3. Craig Smith
Craig Smith will have a new team next season.
“We’re going to make changes,” said Nashville Predators general manager David Poile. “Right off the top, you’ve got two guys that are in our top-nine in Granlund and Smith that are not coming back, so that’s going to open up a couple spots for some other, younger guys.”
Enter the New York Islanders. They need scoring and Smith can put the puck in the net. The 2009 fourth-round pick has scored at least 18 goals in six of the last seven seasons, potentially providing Barry Trotz immense value on a line with Mathew Barzal, Brock Nelson or Jean-Gabriel Pageau.
2019-20 Cap Hit: $4.25 million
Projected Next Contract: three-year, $10 million contract
4. Tyler Ennis
If the Islanders are looking for value, Tyler Ennis would be a perfect target. In 51 games with the Maple Leafs two seasons ago, Ennis scored 12 goals while playing under 10 minutes a night.
Last year, he signed with the Senators for the veteran’s minimum and scored five power play goals in Ottawa, the third-highest total in his career, and 23 points five-on-five, his best mark in five years. For very little money, Ennis could be a great fit with New York.
2019-20 Cap Hit: $800,000
Projected Next Contract: one-year, $1 million contract
5. Patrick Maroon
Patrick Maroon has won the Stanley Cup in the previous two seasons with the St. Louis Blues and Tampa Bay Lightning. Could the Islanders complete the trifecta? Maroon has what it takes to win and is a useful depth forward at this stage of his career. With Matt Martin and Tom Kuhnhackl’s future unknown, Maroon could be a replacement for a lost forward this offseason.
2019-20 Cap Hit: $900,000
Projected Next Contract: two-years, $1.8 million contract
