Is A Deal Close Between Nazem Kadri And The Islanders?

Nazem Kadri and the New York Islanders have been linked in the rumor mill since mid-July but there's been no sign of a contract between the two sides. However, NHL insider John Shannon believes a deal could be getting close.

NYI Hockey Now's Stefen Rosner cited Shannon making that suggestion during a recent appearance on the Sekeres and Price podcast. He indicated a deal between the Isles and Kadri could be coming soon, perhaps by the end of this week according to “a very good source.” It's believed the hold-up is the need for Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello to free up sufficient salary-cap space for the 31-year-old center.

The Islanders reportedly offered Kadri a seven-year deal worth an annual average value of $7 million. Cap Friendly shows the Islanders with $11 million in cap room with restricted free agents Noah Dobson, Alexander Romanov and Kieffer Bellows to re-sign.

On Aug. 10, ESPN's Kevin Weekes cryptically tweeted he “wouldn't be shocked” to see “at least four transactions” with the Islanders. The assumption is he's referring to Kadri and those three RFAs.

Lamoriello has a recent history of waiting until late in the off-season to announce his club's new contracts formally. Last summer, he waited until Sept. 1 before revealing the much-rumored signings of Anthony Beauvillier, Casey Cizikas, Kyle Palmieri and Ilya Sorokin.

Kadri or Lamoriello could bring this speculation to an end by issuing a statement confirming or denying the rumors. The ongoing silence from both camps ensures the conjecture will drag on for at least a little longer.