On Day 1 of NHL free agency, the New York Islanders locked up their unrestricted free agents and extended Ilya Sorokin.

On Day 1 of NHL free agency, the New York Islanders locked up their unrestricted free agents and extended Ilya Sorokin. 

"You just work at it. I thought the players wanted to come back," Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello said about his signings. "Again, just trying to work out a situation that's fair for both parties. And we're just extremely pleased that we were able to accomplish it."

Any upgrades to the team will come via hockey trades.

"I think that's exactly where the next step would be," Lamoriello said. "We've signed certainly the free agents with the dollars that we had available, and now to get better as everyone tries to do. It'll be a hockey trade."

The Islanders now have $1.05 million in cap space.

Pierre Engvall

Pierre Engvall was not known for his offense through his first three NHL seasons but showed some promise in 2021-22 when he potted 15 goals and 20 assists in 78 games.

He came over with 12 goals and nine assists in 58 games with Toronto, averaging 13:08 minutes per game.

Lamoriello stated that his speed was his biggest asset, and the Islanders severely lacked that skill set, even with Barzal healthy.

With how strong the line of Engvall-Brock Nelson-Kyle Palmieri played from that game in Anaheim through the playoffs, it was a no-brainer to bring Engvall back if possible. 

"He brings speed to the game, and he's got outstanding range. He has hockey sense, and I think he's only going to get better and better," Lamoriello said. "I watched him when he first came over when I had him in Toronto, and his game has increased as far as the dimension that he has. And I think he has tremendous growth. And although it might look a little long, because of what his past situation is, I think that you're going to find dividends in this young man."

Elliotte Friedman is reporting $3 million annually. 

Scott Mayfield

Since being drafted by the Islanders 34th overall in 2011, Scott Mayfield has ground for the opportunity that awaited him on July 1.

Per Elliotte Friedman, Mayfield is getting $3.5 million per season. 

After two team-friendly deals -- making just $1.45 million annually over the last five years -- the 30-year-old has the opportunity to test the market and get paid what he deserves.

Mayfield has repeatedly voiced how much he wanted to stay with Long Island, and general manager Lou Lamoriello's priority was to retain his defenseman and his other free agents.

A bottom-pairing for New York, the now 30-year-old defenseman became an integral player on the backend.

Although his discipline and icings were a tad concerning, Mayfield's willingness to block shots and his role on the penalty kill are not easily replaceable, especially with the Islanders lacking right-side defenseman.

A team player through and through, Mayfield decided that location was more important than getting his maximum value.

"I think that he's an unheralded sort of player in what he does and what he brings, the minutes that he takes, also the physicality he brings to the game," Lamoriello said. 

"And I think he adds that to the defense that we have. He plays in every defensive situation and also is a top penalty-killer. So he was an important person. He doesn't do it with glamour. He just does it in an efficient way."

Semyon Varlamov

Semyon Varlamov never wanted to leave the New York Islanders once his contract expired this summer.

He signed his contract at $2.75 million annually, per The Athletics’s Kevin Kurz.

"I would love to stay with a team. I have a good feeling about this team and about the future. So I want to be part of it," Varlamov said following the end of the Islanders' season.

This came after a season in which Varlamov was a true backup for the first time in his 15-year NHL career, playing the fewest games in his career and not scratching into a single playoff game in the first round.

In 23 starts, the 35-year-old netminder owned a 2.70 GAA with a .917 SV%.

The playing time, per Varlamov, was not an issue.

"It didn't change anything. Like I said before, I want to stay with the team, you know? I told you before that, and then nothing's changed," Varlamov said.

There's no question Varlamov could have entertained and signed for a starter's salary in free agency, but it's clear that Long Island is where he wants to be for the remainder of his NHL career.

"I don't think I've seen anyone [in] any better [shape] than Varly, as far as how he takes care of his body, how he prepares for each day of practice, how he post-practice and post-game takes care of his body," Lamoriello said. "He is a consummate pro, both on and off the ice. But more importantly for how he you know sort of treats himself. So he might be a 35-year-old, but I will tell you this. I've seen a lot of 26, 27-year-olds I wish were in the shape that he is, and as far as that goes, and that's the difference."

In four years with New York, Varlamov owns a 59-51-14 record, with a 2.54 GAA and a .917 SV%. 

Ilya Sorokin

Ilya Sorokin was elite during the 2022-23 regular season, finishing as a Vezina finalist, ultimately losing to Boston Bruins netminder Linus Ullmark.

The Russian backstop posted a 2.34 GAA with a .924 SV% in 62 games with a league-leading six shutouts. He bailed the Islanders out left and right, and his play was the biggest reason why they snuck into the postseason.

Yes, Sorokin was average in the Islanders' first-round matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes.

He had some brilliant showings and brilliant saves but also had weaker showings, allowing back-breaking goals like the Hurricane's overtime winner in Game Two and Game Six, the latter of the two serving as the series-clincher.

"It's obvious that you don't want a player of his stature to go into the last year of his contract. I think it's a lot of pressure on the player," Lamoriello said. "Ilya wanted to be here. We wanted Ilya to be here. And as I mentioned earlier, there's no better time to do it."

With Sorokin under contract, the Islanders will have a chance to compete each and every season while he's between the pipes. 

Elliotte Friedman is reporting that Sorokin signed at $8.25 million.