{"time":1782819049506,"blocks":[{"id":"hNuucDT6e-","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Monday evening brought the deadline for all 32 NHL clubs to tender qualifying offers to their restricted free agents."}},{"id":"Y_f-Aaz7Jg","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The New York Islanders did not qualify either Marc Gatcomb or Max Shabanov, setting both players up to hit unrestricted free agency on July 1."}},{"id":"tOOx8eLYcb","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The Islanders qualified three Bridgeport players in Alex Jefferies, Joey Larson, and Henrik Tikkanen."}},{"id":"EGlcOYVOLG","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Outside of New York, plenty of intriguing options were not retained by their previous clubs, giving the Islanders a new set of potential depth targets."}},{"id":"JpxMO4Nqr0","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Option #1: Bobby Brink"}},{"id":"CYlOksR633","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Brink, 24, was not qualified by the Minnesota Wild, who aquired him from the Philadelphia Flyers ahead of the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline in exchange for defenseman David Jiricek. "}},{"id":"lOML_kAPFU","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"In 55 games with Philadelphia, Brink recorded 26 points (13 goals, 13 assists) but recorded only four points (two goals, two assists) in 13 games for his hometown Wild. "}},{"id":"UeL1kuCAZB","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"With the Wild, he played mostly alongside Vladimir Tarasenko and Danila Yurov. "}},{"id":"btFACU-1DK","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Bring is a skilled, playmaking winger whose hockey IQ helps him overcome his 5'8, 169 lb frame. "}},{"id":"9Y0jiJdT_e","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"In 2024-25, Brink recorded 12 goals with a career-high 29 assists for a career-high 41 points, playing mostly alongside Owen Tippett and Morgan Frost. "}},{"id":"4WTEu47gXx","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Option #2: Paul Cotter"}},{"id":"95RW71cv5T","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Cotter, 26, could make a lot of sense for the Islanders as a new depth center. With Casey Cizikas getting older, and Kyle MacLean making a stronger impact on the wing, the Islanders could use a depth center."}},{"id":"z3pnbaR1Ax","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"This past season, as the New Jersey Devils struggled mightily, so did Cotter. In 79 games, Cotter posted just nine goals and 15 points, a career low in points."}},{"id":"MqgG2NOhz1","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"In the previous season, Cotter netted 16 goals and 22 points, playing a speedy, physical game with the ability to kill penalties."}},{"id":"7bJL0V1XgB","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Cotter made his NHL debut under current Islanders' Head Coach Peter DeBoer during the 2021-22 season, when both were a part of the Vegas Golden Knights."}},{"id":"jNz6vbG5X8","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Options #3: Phillip Kurashev"}},{"id":"Qa2wO1KJYv","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Kurashev, 26, has not been qualified by his NHL team for a second straight year."}},{"id":"3I2ON7c15x","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Despite decent offensive output (7-13-20 in 43 games), the San Jose Sharks opted to let Kurashev walk, with a special note to the fact that the Sharks have seemingly unlimited young forwards breaking through."}},{"id":"ruC14MqLtF","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Following the 2024-25 season, the Chicago Blackhawks did not tender Kurashev a qualifying offer."}},{"id":"MgIFLWnJoC","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Kurashev peaked in the 2023-24 season, when he posted 18 goals and 54 points in 75 games, but has not scored more than 7 goals in the previous two seasons, nor has he played more than 51 games."}},{"id":"hfllXhVyZ-","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"In 2023-24, Kurashev played with Bedard, which may have contributed to his offensive explosion. He hasn't topped 25 points in any other season."}},{"id":"rYtcsGIhsJ","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Defensively, Kurashev has improved recently, but that is not the shiniest part of his game."}},{"id":"cT1qUcsqLA","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"He could be worth a flier in case of injuries for the Islanders."}},{"id":"9JKHOIyGze","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Option #4: Matias Maccelli"}},{"id":"wtUTwHIOPM","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Macelli, 25, had a bumpy season with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2025-26. After arriving from the Utah Mammoth, expectations were that Maccelli could fit well in their middle six."}},{"id":"ZLfEe8rzhE","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Instead, he spent time as a healthy scratch, missing 11 games total."}},{"id":"wL-Ipqwb5k","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"In those other 71 games, he had solid enough production, posting 14 goals and 39 points, all while receiving what amounted to third-line minutes and limited special teams opportunities."}},{"id":"uKN7IwWK8C","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Maccelli's also got some good analytics under the hood, with strong defensive metrics to boot."}},{"id":"NGuv6LQSEa","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Depending on price tag, he could be a worthwhile option for the Islanders to consider."}}],"version":"2.31.6"}

Islanders Have Golden Opportunity To Secure Four Points In Home-&-Home vs. Blackhawks