Stefen Rosner and Rachel Doerrie of The Hockey News discuss New York Islanders forward Oliver Wahlstrom as he has signed his qualifying offer. There were questions surrounding New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/stan-fischler-new-york-islanders-new-york-state-hockey-hall-of-fame]' restricted free agent netminder Jakub Skarek [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/jakub-skarek-new-york-islanders-restricted-free-agent-goaltending] this off-season. The 23-year-old former third-round pick by New York entered the off-season as a restricted free agent, and with Ilya Sorokin [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/ilya-sorokin-new-york-islanders-vezina-trophy-finalist-2022-23] and Semyon Varlamov [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/semyon-varlamov-new-york-islanders-ilya-sorokin-contract] locked up for the foreseeable future, the chance to become an NHLer on Long Islander was bleak. The Islanders and Skarek have agreed to a two-year, two-way deal, the club announced on Tuesday morning. Per a league source, Skarek agreed to his qualifying offer. Per Ethan Sears, [https://twitter.com/ethan_sears/status/1681331520621932545] Skarek's deal is for $775,000 at the NHL level, $85,000 at the AHL level with $100,000 guaranteed in the first year. The second year has a split of $775,000 and $105,000, with $135,000 guaranteed in the second year, per an industry source. In 38 games with Bridgeport this past season, Skarek posted a 3.37 GAA with a .892 SV% with two shutouts. While Skarek has become accustomed to Bridgeport life, gearing up for his fifth season, this one will be different from the rest. With Cory Schneider Europe-bound, Skarek is likely the true No. 1 netminder for newly appointed head coach Rick Kowalsky, with OHL graduate Tristan Lennox the likely backup. Skarek, who joined the Islanders in Carolina during the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, will be the go-to option if anything were to happen to either NHL netminders this upcoming season. Besides reading his work, you can listen and watch Stefen Rosner [https://twitter.com/stefen_rosner] talk New York Islanders hockey on Hockey Night in New York [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYN7JIgdHnM&t=956s] with co-host Sean Cuthbert [https://twitter.com/seanyhockey] Sunday nights at 8 PM ET during the season.
