Cholowski spent the entire 2024 season in Bridgeport (AHL), where he had 31 points (7G / 24A) in 68 games. Since signing with the Islanders prior to the 2023 season, Cholowski has appeared in just two NHL games but has eight goals and 61 assists (69 points) in 135 AHL games. Expect him to continue to provide offence at the AHL-level and be one of the first names the Islanders consider when they need help on their NHL blueline.
After a long offseason discussion period Oliver Wahlstrom will remain in New York after signing a one-year, $1 million contract extension with the Islanders. The 24-year-old right-winger had an incredibly down 2023-24 season, appearing in his least amount of games (32) in the passed four seasons and only putting up two goals, six points, eight PIMs and 41 SOG.
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.
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.
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.
Reilly will remain with the Islanders after a successful first campaign with New York in 2023-24 and has earned himself a one-year deal worth $1.25 million. The 30-year-old was claimed off waivers from Florida early on during the 2023-24 season but bounced back positively by picking up six goals, 24 points and 28 PIMs in 59 games with New York.
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.
Hogberg will return to North American soil for the first time since 2020-2021 after signing a two-year contract with the New York Islanders. The 29-year-old just finished a successful season with Linkoping HC of the SHL, where he posted a 2.51 GAA and .914 SV%. The 2013 3rd round pick (78th overall) has appeared in 42 career NHL games, with a 9-17-9 record, 3.39 GAA and .894 SV%.
Holmstrom has not played since game two but will re-enter the Islanders lineup for game five on Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes. In the first two games of the series, the 22-year-old forward averaged 11:06 time-on-ice while firing one shot on goal.
Martin did not play in game four and has been ruled out for game five due to a lower-body injury. The 34-year-old Martin averaged 9:33 time-on-ice through the first three games of the playoffs, recording 16 penalty minutes and seven hits.
The Islanders staved off elimination in their last outing, a 3-2 overtime win over the Carolina Hurricanes, and will return to Varalmov between the crease for game five. Varlamov was tremendous in the Islanders' game-four victory, saving 42 of 44 shots (.955 SV%) and has been solid throughout the playoffs, despite only recording one win (1-2-0) while posting a solid 2.08 GAA and .930 SV%. The Islanders enter game five as +207 road underdogs.
Martin is battling an undisclosed injury and his status for game three against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday is up in the air. The 34-year-old Martin averaged 10:12 time-on-ice through the first two games, recording five hits, 16 penalty minutes, and a -1 plus/minus rating.
After riding Semyon Varlamov in their first two games, the Islanders are in a 0-2 series deficit and will turn to Sorokin between the pipes in game three. Varlamov stole starts from Sorokin down the stretch, eventually stealing the starting goalie position for the beginning of the playoffs. Sorokin, the 2022-23 Vezina runner-up, was solid towards the end of the season, posting a .932 SV% in his final four outings (3-0-1). The Islanders enter action against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday as +139 home underdogs.
Pageau exited the Islanders' final game of the season after playing only 2:36 time-on-ice due to a lower-body injury and missed Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The 31-year-old Pageau had 33 points (11G / 22A), 189 hits, and 82 blocks in 82 games this season.
