Sorokin missed the start of training camp after undergoing offseason back surgery but GM Lou Lamoriello said that "he's ready" for the start of the season. It's still unclear if Sorokin or Semyon Varlamov will get the start but it's good news that Sorokin won't miss any time to start the year.
Bear was placed on waivers Friday but cleared on Saturday and has been loaned to the Hershey Bears (AHL) for the start of the 2024-25 season. The 27-year-old is in the second year of a two-year, $4.13 million contract and had a goal, four points and 10 PIMs in 24 games played in 2023-24.
Sorokin's return date is still unclear after the 29-year-old successfully underwent back surgery in the offseason. However, he had some incredibly positive signs on Thursday after he returned to Islanders' practice in full for the first time. The four-year NHL veteran claimed he felt good during the skate and is hopeful to be back shortly. Sorokin endured one of the roughest seasons of his professional career in 2023-24, posting a 25-19-12 record with a 3.01 GAA and .909 SV%.
Islanders' GM Lou Lamoriello said that Sorokin could miss the first couple of days of training camp but there's no concern about his injury extending into the regular season. Sorokin will be looking to bounce-back in 2024-25, after posting career worsts in GAA (3.01) and SV% (.908) in 56 games last season.
Holmstrom waited to sign his contract after heading into the offseason as a RFA and has agreed on a one-year, $850,000 contract with New York on Tuesday. The 23-year-old right-winger was New York's 2019 1st round pick (23rd overall) and had a solid second NHL season in 2023-24 with 15 goals, 25 points, 72 SOG and 14 PIMs in 75 games played.
Beckman's rights were acquired from the Wild in late June and he signs a one-year, two-way deal with the Devils. The 23-year-old spent most of 2024 in the AHL, where he had 33 points (19G / 14A) in 51 games with the Iowa Wild. During his 11-game stint with Minnesota, Beckman had two assists, 10 SOG, 13 hits and three blocked shots.
The Islanders selected Pulkkinen with the No.54 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. The 19-year-old blueliner spent most of 2024 in Finland's top league, posting eight points (2G / 6A) in 29 games with JYP Jyväskylä.
Boqvist was the No.8 overall pick in 2018 and was a key part of the return for Seth Jones in 2021. In three seasons with the Blue Jackets, Boqvist saw his games played decline in each season, most recently posting just 10 points (1G / 9A) in 35 games. With the Panthers, expect him to start in the AHL but be one of the first defensemen called upon when they need reinforcements.
Ritchie was the No.27 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. The 19-year-old forward had 80 points (28G / 52A) in 50 games with the Oshawa Generals (OHL) last season and added another 30 points (8G / 22A) in 21 playoff games.
Duclair will join his ninth NHL team in 11 seasons after he signed a four-year deal worth $14.0 million ($3.5M AAV) with the Islanders on Monday. The 28-year-old went on a nice run with Tampa Bay after being acquired at last year's trade deadline, with 15 points in 17 games to add to his 24 goals and 42 points in 73 games played on the season.
Drouin will return to Colorado for a second season and his 11th NHL season after he signed a one-year, $2.5 million extension with the Avalanche. The 29-year-old resurrected his career in 2023-24 by signing a one-year, $825,000 contract and put up a career-high 56 points (19G/37A) in 79 games played.
Boqvist was expected to earn $2.6 million in 2024-25 but has been placed on unconditional waivers for the purposes of buyout on Sunday by Columbus. The 23-year-old defender was drafted by Chicago back in the 1st round (8th overall) of the 2018 Draft and was a key piece in the trade which sent Seth Jones to the Blackhawks. Boqvist appeared in 35 games with the Blue Jackets in 2023-24 and had one goal, 10 points, 45 SOG and a -8 plus/minus.
Highmore spent most of the 2024 season in the AHL, where he had 31 points (9G / 22A) in 43 games. During his brief time in the NHL, he had two assists in seven games, giving him 29 points (12G / 17A) in 146 career NHL games with the Blackhawks, Canucks, Blues and Senators.
McWard was originally signed by Vancouver out of Ohio State (NCAA) in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year, two-way contract after a successful first season with Abbotsford (AHL). The 23-year-old defensemen has appeared in six NHL games across his two seasons with Vancouver, picking up one goal and no assists. In 57 games with Abbotsford in 2023-24, he had four goals and 17 points.
New Jersey made another offseason move on Friday as they traded forward Adam Beckman for defenseman Graeme Clarke with the Minnesota Wild. The 23-year-old has appeared in 23 games sparsely across three seasons with Minnesota and had no goals, three assists, 14 PIMs and 26 shots on goal.
MacLean made his NHL debut in 2023-24 and has earned himself a three-year, contract extension with the New York Islanders on Wednesday. The 25-year-old spent time in 2023-24 split between the Bridgeport Islanders (43 GP) and New York (32 GP) and had four goals and nine assists with the Islanders during his inaugural NHL season.
Tsyplakov just finished his seventh season with Spartak Moskva (KHL) and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the New York Islanders with an AAV of $950,000. The 25-year-old undrafted free agent was a hot ticket on the free agent market this off-season after scoring 31 goals and 47 points in 65 games played with Spartak in 2023-24.
Rittich excelled in his first season in Los Angeles, finishing with his most wins (13) since 2019-20 and career highs in both SV% (.921 SV%) and GAA (2.15) and has signed a one-year, $1 million contract extension with Los Angeles. The 31-year-old is entering his ninth NHL season and has a career record of 92-57-24, 2.78 GAA and .906 SV% with five separate franchises.
