With the NHL free agency rapidly approaching, many Islanders fans are looking forward to seeing which new players will be dressed in blue and orange for the upcoming season. Unlike last year where the Islanders went big and attempted to sign Artemi Panarin, this year will see fewer big names coming to Long Island. This is due to the Islanders being a cap-strapped team, and also having some big-name RFAs to sign such as Mathew Barzal. As the Islanders prepare for next season here are some potential low-risk, high reward signings that should fit into the Islanders scheme. 

Ilya Kovalchuk

After signing with the Montreal Canadiens during the middle of last year, Kovalchuk was able to revive his career following a buyout by the Los Angeles Kings. The 37-year-old veteran put up a respectable 17 points in 29 games, splitting time between the Canadiens and the Washington Capitals. While his playoff performance was lackluster to say the least, the flashes of offence the once-dynamic goal scorer once had is still a tantalizing prospect for a team like the Islanders that could use cheap depth and help on offence. While Kovalchuk’s work ethic and attitude may not align with Barry Trotz’s coaching mechanisms, Kovalchuk would still be a worthwhile addition to a team already littered with veterans looking for a taste at the Stanley Cup. 

Wayne Simmonds

Wayne Simmonds’ grit and tenacity equates to Islanders fans loving him immediately. His work ethic and physicality is some of the best in the league, and there is some skill to Simmonds’ game as well. The problem lays in the lack of production over the past two years. During his time with the Flyers, Simmonds was a fan favorite and a hard player to play against. The Islanders being in the same division know all too well of Simmonds toughness, however, due to his production, primarily his once-great goal-scoring mysteriously disappearing, Simmonds may not seem like a favorable option. Only totaling 25 points in 68 games may not seem appetizing, but his reputation is one that is hard to stay away from. If the Islanders are able to grab Simmonds on a cheap, short term deal below 3.5 million, Simmonds can be another fantastic piece on this contending team. 

Patrick Maroon

Putting up similar numbers to Simmonds, Patrick Maroon is another player that adds that physical element that the Islanders love. What Maroon may lack in offensive production, he adds in championship experience. Maroon is coming off of back-to-back championships with the St.Louis Blues and Tampa Bay Lighting respectively. This type of experience is extremely valuable in today’s NHL and can help teach younger players like Barzal and Beauviller what it takes to become a champion. While only totaling 23 points last season, Maroon acts as more of a fourth line disruptor that knows how to come up clutch in the playoffs, and who doesn’t love clutch players on their team?

Radko Gudas

Right-handed defensive depth is a luxury many NHL teams cannot say they have. By adding a gritty Radko Gudas to an already exceptional Islanders defense. Gudas may not be the most exciting player on the ice, but he is able to intimidate the opposition with his physical nature and earth-shattering hits. In the 2019-20 season, he proved to have developed some discipline as he recorded his second-lowest penalty minutes in a season aside from his rookie season where he only played 22 games. A big physical defencemen that does not take too many penalties is gold in today’s NHL, and acquiring him for what should be a relatively low cap hit would be great for the Islanders. Getting Gudas would also allow the Islanders to step back, and look at their blueline and potentially move out a defenceman for some forward help which they need. 

Mikael Granlund

The “big fish” in terms of the Islanders cap situation could be signing Mikael Granlund. Mikael Granlund’s downward trajectory over the past few seasons is an interesting case. A once guaranteed 60 point scorer in Minnesota has struggled to put together 30 in Nashville. Being only 28, Granlund is right in the middle of his prime and a bounce-back should be expected. It is easy to assume that Granlund is simply on a downward trajectory in terms of offensive production that all NHL players eventually face, but the fact that his poor scoring has only occurred in Nashville makes one assume it was Nashville’s coaching and play style rather than Granlund’s talent. While Granlund would not be allowed to be the flashy player he can be, like Barzal, his talents can still shine while learning how to play proper defensive hockey and become an effective top-six player that may come at a bargain due to his 30 points last season. 

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