New York Islanders News

Varlamov enjoyed a strong 2018 season, winning 24 of his 51 games with a 2.68 GAA, .920 SV% and two shutouts. He will be pushed harder for starts this year with Philipp Grubauer in town, but that could help push the Russian netminder. Varlamov won both of his starts while only allowing two goals on 66 shots (.970 SV%) against the Wild last year.

Schneider will not be between the pipes when the Devils opening their season against the Oilers on October 6th. The 32-year-old is coming off of hip surgery on May 1st. Look for Keith Kinkaid to get the nod in the season-opener.

The Blackhawks picked Boqvist with the No.8 overall pick in this summer’s draft. The dynamic offensive defensman was unable to crack the opening night roster, so he heads to London for his first season in North America—he played in Sweden last year.

Dobson was picked No.12 overall in this summer’s draft but was always expected to head back to Juniors this year. The 18-year-old defenseman will try to build off of his 69-point (17G / 52A) sophomore season with Acadie-Bathurst.

Schneider continues to workout on-ice nearly every day as he works his from May hip surgery. The Devils are easing their workhorse netminder back into action but there is no firm timetable for when he can start a game. If Schneider is out to start the season, they will turn to Keith Kinkaid until he is ready.

After two years with the Maple Leafs, Martin is headed back to the Islanders, where he spent the first seven years of his career. Martin scored just eight goals and 13 assists (21 points) in 132 games during his time in Toronto. During that stretch, he ranks tied for sixth in the NHL in hits/game (3.4).

Between the Maple Leafs and Blues, Soshnikov appeared in just 15 NHL games last season, scoring just one goal with one assist. Soshnikov figures to be a reserve forward with the Blues this upcoming season.

Dobson is a two-way defenseman but has a polished offensive game, finishing tied for second among QMJHL defensemen in points (69) and third in goals (17). Playing in the Memorial Cup didn’t hurt his value either—he scored two goals with five assists in Acadie Bathursts’s four-game run.

Boqvist doesn’t have great size, but is one of the most offensively-gifted blueliners in this draft class. Boqvist has great wheel and loves rushing the puck, looking more like a forward than a defenseman. During his time in Sweden’s top league this season, Boqvist had just one assist in 15 games.

Andreoff, 27, was drafted in the third-round (No.80 overall) in 2011 and has picked up just 24 points (13G / 11A) in 159 career NHL games. Andreoff, who had nine points in 45 games last season, will have to fight among one of the deepest forward groups for playing time in Tampa Bay in 2019. Andreoff may take the spot of Chris Kunitz, who will be a free agent in July, on the Lightning’s fourth line.