The New York Islanders started Monday morning with 24 players on their roster. By 5 PM ET, the Islanders and the rest of the 31 NHL clubs had to submit their rosters and be cap compliant, which meant the Islanders had a move to make.

The New York Islanders started Monday morning with 24 players on their roster. By 5 PM ET, the Islanders and the rest of the 31 NHL clubs had to submit their rosters and be cap compliant, which meant the Islanders had a move to make.

The Islanders were $574,958 million over the salary cap:

Their decision was a rather easy one, as they only had one option left after they decided not to place Ross Johnston and his $1.1 million on waivers on Sunday.

Prior to the deadline, the Islanders sent Simon Holmstrom to Bridgeport, clearing $863,333. The Islanders are now $288,375 under the cap.

Holmstrom, who scored just six goals with three assists in his first 50 career NHL games in 2022-23, seemed to have earned the starting job alongside Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal on the Islanders' top line. 

"He's played well. I think that, for the most part, he's a pretty good fit there [top line]," Islanders head coach Lane Lambert said Monday morning. "So, we'll see what happens."

After Monday, the Islanders could recall Holmstrom and waive Johnston later in the week, as long as they were cap compliant by their season opener Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres.

So, don't be shocked to see Holmstrom on the practice ice with New York on Tuesday morning. 

The Islanders announced their 2022-23 roster: