Mathieu Darche is wasting little time making moves. The New York Islanders’ new general manager announced contract extensions for forward Kyle Palmieri and defenseman Adam Boqvist on Friday. Palmieri, who just completed a four-year deal, worth $20 million, signed a two-year extension worth $4.75M annually. Boqvist, who was set to become a restricted free agent, signed a one-year deal worth $875,000.
Palmieri extended two-seasons
Palmieri, 34, scored 48 points (24 goals, 24 assists) in 82 games with the Islanders last season, during his fourth full year with the club. He finished third on the team in goals and points and tied for the team lead with five power-play goals.
The Islanders acquired Palmieri in a trade with the New Jersey Devils at the 2021 trade deadline. The Long Island native has 172 points (87 goals, 85 assists) in 305 career games with the Islanders, along with 17 points (10 goals, 7 assists) in 30 Islanders playoff games. He matched his career-high of 30 goals in 2023-24 and has appeared in all 82 Islanders games in each of the last two seasons.
Palmieri was a trade deadline candidate, but former Islanders General Manager Lou Lamoriello decided to keep him and negotiate an extension. Elliotte Friedman reported that both deals were agreed to under the previous regime and Darche honored the agreements.
Palmieri receives a no-trade clause in the first year before it becomes a 16-team no-trade clause the following year. He took a hometown discount to re-sign with the Islanders, going from $5M to $4.75M. While it doesn’t seem like a big deal, you have to factor in that when Palmieri signed his previous deal, the salary has risen by $14M from $81M to $95.5M.
One-year deal for Boqvist
The Islanders claimed Boqvist off waivers from the Florida Panthers on Jan. 31. The 2018 8th overall selection by the Chicago Blackhawks scored 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in 35 games last season, including eight points (two goals, six assists) in 17 games with the Islanders.
Islanders Head Coach Patrick Roy likes Boqvist’s versatility. Roy played him at forward a few times last season and has shown an ability to play both defensive sides.
Boqvist actually accepted less than his qualifying offer of $892,500. He did so to ensure that his deal would be one-way. By re-signing the right-handed Boqvist, the position just got a little more crowded.
Decisions on defense
What’s next for the Islanders? In addition to Boqvist, the Islanders have restricted free agent Noah Dobson, Ryan Pulock and Scott Mayfield, who are both signed for another five seasons. Darche can also bring back Tony DeAngelo, who the Islanders signed in January. Mayfield could be a buyout candidate.
According to PuckPedia, the Islanders have $20.94M available cap space.Darche has some thinking to do between now and July 1.
