The Hockey News' Stefen Rosner explains why New York Islanders fans can be optimistic heading into next season. Well, it's over. The Vegas Golden Knights hoisted the Stanley Cup on Tuesday night, in a game that experts might define as a beat down, a 9-3 finish in Game Five. The Florida Panthers seemed to be no match for Vegas. We learned after that Florida superstar Matthew Tkachuk had suffered a broken sternum, Radko Gudas was dealing with a sprained ankle, and Aaron Ekblad, somehow, was playing through a broken foot, two separated shoulders, and a torn oblique. But even if the Panthers were fully healthy --as healthy as a team can be after an 82-game season and grinding postseason run -- Vegas had the depth, which is why the Conn Smythe choice wasn't a walk in the park. Jonathan Marchessault, an original Golden Knight, scored 13 goals with 12 assists in 22 postseason games to win the award. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk4NjYxNzQ2NzkyMDgwNzQ3/usatsi_20887045.jpg] Just because the 2022-23 season is officially over, we now focus on the off-season. Islanders fans hope it's a busy one, but with salary cap issues and recent history, it's more likely to be a quiet one. Let's get to the off-season dates to know. BUYOUT WINDOW-JUNE 16 The NHL's first buyout window of the summer begins on June 15, 48 hours after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Final. Josh Bailey [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/new-york-islanders-josh-bailey-lou-lamoriello-contract-longest-tenured-islanders] is the only likely buyout candidate for New York. The 33-year-old has one more year left at a $5 million cap hit. Based on Bailey's words about not wanting to be on the sideline next year -- something he often did in 2022-23 due to lackluster play -- and the words of general manager Lou Lamoriello about how Bailey's time on Long Island is likely near its end, could they choose to buy him out? It's possible, as it would save New York $2.33 million in 2023-24 but would carry a cap penalty of $3.66 million in 2024-25. The Islanders could also try to move most, if not all, of Bailey's contract at the 2023 NHL Draft. The Islanders could also buy out 35-year-old Cal Clutterbuck, who struggled mightily to stay in the lineup due to various injuries. With just one-year remaining on his deal, with a cap hit of $1.75 million, this move would save the Islanders $1.166 million in 2023-24 but would have them on the hook for $583,334 in 2024-25. QUALIFYING OFFER: JUNE 25 The Islanders have three restricted free agents to deal with but will only be tendering qualifying offers to two. Forward Oliver Wahlstrom, 23, missed the second half of the season due to what was believed to be a torn ACL. He has the potential to be the sniper the Islanders have longed for, but he still has to find that consistency. Defenseman Samuel Bolduc, 22, got his first taste of NHL action this season. After a hot start showing that he could be an everyday player rather soon, his second stint of the season left much to be desired, and he seemed overmatched in the postseason. The one player that will not receive a qualifying offer, per a source, is 23-year-old Bode Wilde. The former second-round pick failed to get vaccinated before the start of the 2020-21 season and eventually was loaned to Sweden's second-tier league, where he struggled mightily. NHL AWARDS: JUNE 26 The Islanders have two players up for awards. After a dominant season between the pipes, Netminder Ilya Sorokin [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/ilya-sorokin-new-york-islanders-vezina-trophy-finalist-2022-23] is a finalist for the Vezina Trophy. The likely award winner is Boston Bruins' backstop Linus Ullmark, with Winnipeg Jets' goaltender Connor Hellelbuyck also up for the award. Islanders captain Anders Lee is a finalist for the 2023 King Clancy Memory Trophy. The Clancy Award is given to the player "who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy contribution in his community." Lee has been the captain of New York since 2018. While his leadership on the ice has been paramount, his off-ice work with Jam Kancer in the Kan [https://www.jamkancerinthekan.com/] started before he ever donned the "C," as he did his part in raising money for children with cancer. NHL DRAFT: JUNE 28 & 29 For a fourth straight NHL Draft, the New York Islanders will not be drafting in the first round. Last year, the Islanders sent the 13th overall pick to the Montreal Canadiens for 22-year-old defenseman Alexander Romanov [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/noah-dobson-alexander-romanov-lou-lamoriello-nhl-offensive-defenseman-stefen-rosner]. Their 2023 first-round pick was packaged with Anthony Beauvillier and top prospect Aatu Räty for Bo Horvat this season. The Islanders also do not have a third-round pick, as it was packaged to move Andrew Ladd in July of 2021. READ MORE: 5 Players Islanders Spoke to at 2023 NHL Draft Combine [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/news/new-york-islanders-2023-nhl-draft-sportology-the-hockey-news-draft-prospects] The Islanders will select at No. 49, 81, 113, 145, 177, and 209. NHL FREE AGENCY: JULY 1 The Islanders have five unrestricted free agents this free-agent season. With just around $6.1 million in cap space, Lamoriello will have difficulty retaining all his free agents. Forward Pierre Engvall [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/pierre-engvall-new-york-islanders-contract-extension-free-agent-brock-nelson-kyle-palmieri], 27, who the Islanders acquired for a 2024 third-round selection once Mathew Barzal went down with a long-term injury, gelled alongside Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri. With his raw speed, he is a need and is coming off a one-year deal worth $2.25 million. Forward Zach Parise [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/new-york-islanders-zach-parise-undecided-about-future-teammates-react], almost 39, is coming off a tremendous season with 21 goals, playing in all 82 games for a second straight season. Although he will not require a tremendous amount of money, likely at the league minimum (775K) or close to it, he is taking the time to talk with his family. Defenseman Scott Mayfield [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/scott-mayfield-new-york-islanders-adam-pelech-ryan-pulock], 30, is due for a hefty pay raise after playing for pennies on the dollar ($1.45 M) over the last five years. Due to his role -- a big-bodied defenseman who eats minutes and plays on the penalty kill -- there's no question Mayfield can get north of $3 million on the open market. Lamoriello wants to bring Mayfield back, and Mayfield wants to be back, but they have to see if it's financially possible. Netminder Seymon Varlamov [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/semyon-varlamov-new-york-islanders-ilya-sorokin-contract], 35, can still be a starter in this league on a handful of teams, but it does seem that he loves being on Long Island and wants to stay. The issue is that he is coming off a contract with a $5 million cap hit. And with the emergence of Ilya Sorokin as the clear-cut No. 1, the Islanders don't need to pay that much to a backup. If Varlamov is willing to take a pay cut, with an AAV of $2.5-2.75 million, it should be a no-brainer for New York. The final UFA is 25-year-old Parker Wotherspoon, who made his NHL debut this past season, playing in 15 games. More often than not, he served as the club's seventh defenseman but was reliable when called upon. Wotherspoon is a Group 6 UFA due to not playing 80 games after three professional seasons. With the Islanders' need for NHL-ready defensive depth, Wotherspoon will likely be back next season. This is also the first date the Islanders can offer Sorokin a long-term extension, as he has one year left on his deal.
