Islanders Make Moves in Free Agency

Islanders Open Up Free Agency: Boyes and Carkner

The Islanders opened up the start of the NHL free-agency period by signing Brad Boyes and Matt Carkner to deals today. 

Brad Boyes RW Shoots R:

Boyes inked a one a year, $1 million dollar deal. A winger and former 40 goal scorer will look for a comeback year, while the Islanders look to keep catching lightning in a bottle with their garbage bin shopping routine.

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Boyes hasn’t scored 20 goals in a season for the last four years. It is easy to see him slotting with John Tavares and Matt Moulson on the first line if the Islanders don’t land any big name free agents. The Islanders hope Boyes will put up Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau like numbers, as PA signed with Avalanche this past week.

Matt Carkner D Shoots R:

Carkner landed himself a 3 year $4.5 million dollar contract. Carkner will add size to what is a small defensive unit the Islanders currently have. Carkner is an enforcer and will see time on the team’s third defense unit.

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Carkner will join Lubomir Visnovsky as the newest defense to join the Islanders this off-season.

Written by Joseph Thompson

Rangers, Islanders Make Moves on First Day of Free Agency

The New York Rangers and New York Islanders wasted no time re-signing and signing on the first day of free agency.

The New York Islanders added to their defense, and signed Matt Carkner from Ottawa. Carkner signed a three-year deal worth $4.5 million. Carkner is a hated foe of the Islanders cross-town rival New York Rangers when he went after Rangers forward Brian Boyle during their first round playoff series last season. Carkner is not known for his offensive ability, but known more for his physical play. The Islanders also signed Brad Boyes from Buffalo. Boyes and the Islanders agreed on a one year contract worth $1 million.

The Islanders also lost two players to free agency. P.A Parenteau signed a four-year deal with the Colorado Avalanche, reportedly worth $16 million. Micheal Haley left the Islanders, but did not leave New York. Haley signed with the New York Rangers on Sunday afternoon.

The New York Rangers had a busy day restructuring their roster as well. The Rangers re-signed defenseman Stu Bickel, and also signed veteran big man Arron Asham, which leads to the news most Ranger fans did not want to hear. Fan favorite Brandon Prust signed a four-year deal with the Montreal Canadiens. The Rangers also lost another big man in John Scott, who signed with the Buffalo Sabres. The Rangers also added former New York Islander Micheal Haley.

The Rangers have still shown interest in Rick Nash of Columbus, among other big name free agents still on the market.

More to follow as free agency will heat up over the next week.