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Islanders make five signings to bolster AHL squad

By Michel Anderson

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 05: Cole Bardreau #34 of the New York Islanders celebrates scoring his first NHL goal in the second period against Craig Anderson #41 of the Ottawa Senators during their game at Barclays Center on November 05, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 05: Cole Bardreau #34 of the New York Islanders celebrates scoring his first NHL goal in the second period against Craig Anderson #41 of the Ottawa Senators during their game at Barclays Center on November 05, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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We have another rush of New York Islanders signings to talk about. While these signings weren’t announced by the team each of these players was listed on the team’s website as part of their roster before CapFriendly announced the signings.

So, the players inked were:

  1. Cole Bardreau ( 2-year, 2-way, $750,000 NHL AAV)
  2. Otto Koivula (1-year, 2-way, $750,000 NHL AAV)
  3. Paul LaDue (1-year, 2-way, $750,000 NHL AAV)
  4. Dmytro Timashov (1-year, 2-way, $750,000 NHL AAV)
  5. Andy Andreoff (1-year, 2-way, $750,000 NHL AAV)

I used “NHL AAV” for a reason. Because these are all two-way deals none of these players are likely to factor in the Islanders NHL squad. They’re certainly going to the AHL.

New York Islanders bolster AHL squad with five signings

The only player who might stand a chance at a spot on the NHL roster is Paul LaDue. That’s only because he’s a defenseman. And even then his chances are slim to none. Mainly because he’s a right and not the lefty the team needs.

But either way. These guys will surely be playing their hockey at the AHL level this year. Which is certainly good news for the Bridgeport Islanders who can use, you know, some bolstering.

Last year the then Sound Tigers finished with the second-worst record in the AHL. If not for that 5-1-1 run at the end of the season they certainly finish as the worst team in the AHL last season. They could use the help this year.

Cole Bardreau led the team in goals (10) and points (16) last year. He’s a leader for the B-Islanders on and off the ice. Keeping him was a smart move by the organization.

Otto Koivula gets another year in the Islanders system to become a true power forward. He’s a good AHL’er but to take the next step he needs to be a bit harder to play against.

Dmytro Timashov had an up and down year with the Sound Tigers. But near the end, Brent Thompson found a good spot for the speedy winger. Ideally, Thompson and crew can get that Timashov all year long this year.

Andreoff is one of the new names here. It was a rough year for him in 2021-22 with the Flyers and the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, but he’s a good tough player to add to the squad. Toughness was something the B-Islanders desperately needed to add in 21-22.

Paul LaDue is the other new name. I can see him being the seventh defenseman on the Islanders squad but I can just as easily see him playing in the AHL all year

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