As the NHL free agency window opens today, July 1st, the New York Islanders have decided to bring back unrestricted free agent and key member from last year’s team. The news came in the form of veteran defenceman Mike Reilly and that fact he signs an extension with the club. News broke of the contract Monday announced by General Manager Lou Lamoriello. The deal is team friendly, for one year, at a manageable $1.25 million.
#Isles News: President/General Manager Lou Lamoriello announced today that the team has signed defenseman Mike Reilly to a one-year contract.
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) July 1, 2024
Mike Reilly Signs New Deal With Isles
Reilly has played nine years and exactly 400 career regular season games in the NHL, totaling 122 points in those 400 games. Moreover, he has bounced around from a couple different teams during his career. Teams like the Minnesota Wild, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Boston Bruins, Florida Panthers, and Islanders. Furthermore, the former fourth-round pick was claimed by the Islanders off waivers from the Florida Panthers early on in the season. He immediately played a key role in solidifying the Islanders defence which was dealing with injuries at the time.
Reilly had himself a nice year registering six goals and 18 assists for 24 points in 59 games. Both of these figures, goals and assists, set new career highs for him. In addition, he added a goal and an assist in the Islander’s five playoff games against the Carolina Hurricanes. He played in big spots and earned the trust of Head Coach Patrick Roy, as he clocked 17:15 of average ice time. Under Roy, Reilly was second amongst the defence with 14 points and played on the third pairing with Robert Bortuzzo.
What it Means
This signing means that the Islanders get to keep one of the players who played a big role for them last season. The front office saw the instant impact Reilly brought to the lineup and knew they needed him back. Moreover, they get him back on a good contract number which helps them against the cap. For a team as cap strapped as the Islanders are, these are the types of smart moves that Lou Lamoriello is going to have to make. After the signing of Reilly at $1.25 million and the addition of Anthony Duclair at $3.5 million, the Islanders have $1.06 million to work with going forward. More moves are expected to free up more money but until then, there is little room to maneuver.
Main photo credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
