Islanders Select Cole Eiserman Former New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/] defenseman Robert Bortuzzo [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/new-york-islanders-robert-bortuzzo-mathew-barzal-patrick-roy-game-4-2024-stanley-cup-playoffs-hurricanes] has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the newest NHL franchise, the Utah Hockey Club: The 35-year-old, who won a Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues in 2018, joined the Islanders via a trade on Dec. 8. With New York dealing with a handful of injuries to its blue line, especially to big-body right-side defenseman Scott Mayfield, it sent its 2024 seventh-round pick back to St. Louis for the veteran. Bortuzzo only played 23 games for the Islanders, landing on LTIR on Feb. 4 after sustaining a lower-body injury against the Colorado Avalanche on Jan. 2. He returned at the end of the regular season and played in all five playoff games against the Carolina Hurricanes. It was his shot at 1:24 of double overtime in Game 4 that deflected off Mathew Barzal and in to keep the Islanders' season alive: That was Bortuzzo's first and only point in a Blue & Orange sweater. During locker room breakdown day, the pending unrestricted free agent was open to returning to Long Island. "I truly enjoyed my experience here. I would love to come back," Bortuzzo said. "Nothing's been talked about or anything, but I truly just enjoy the people, organizationally and in the locker room. It was a tough season at some points, having been injured for three months. "To still enjoy it -- one of the harder things having to deal with as a player is being injured -- but to still enjoy the season, I would be happy to come back." Although defenseman Sebastian Aho has joined the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Islanders didn't have room for Bortuzzo. Defenseman Mike Reilly is returning on a one-year deal worth $1.25 million, and Mayfield's $3.5 million cap hit will come back on the books after his season-ending ankle surgery around the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline. The Islanders open their season against Bortuzzo and Utah [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/new-york-islanders-utah-hockey-club-2024-25-nhl-regular-season-dallas-stars] on Oct. 10 at UBS Arena. As we approach the start of NHL training camp, the Islanders are currently $900,000 over the allotted $88 million salary cap. TOP STORIES
