Elliotte Friedman Speaks On Islanders & Kadri, Romanov, Dobson Deals

The New York Islanders did not sign highly touted free agent Nazem Kadri, despite what the belief was. Quite frankly, many reports came in that Kadri would be Long Island bound, it was just about Islanders president and general manager Lou Lamoriello clearing the necessary salary-cap space.

He did not, and here we are.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman chatted With Bil Pidto on NHL Network and discussed what is going on in New York Islanders country.

This is what he had to say about Nazem Kadri and why he is on his way to Calgary and not Long Island.

“So I think that one of the reasons the Islanders couldn’t get this done, one of them, is I think…like Calgary was able to make a move to free cap space,” Friedman said. “I think the islanders were in a situation where they struggled a bit more to do that.”

“I can’t give you a great answer on what New York’s next move here is, but I do think they had trouble creating the room to sign Kadri.”

On Thursday, the Calgary Flames traded forward Sean Monahan and a conditional first-round pick to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for future consideration. Monahan has one year remaining on his deal at $6.375 million.

Here are the conditions per our pals over at CapFriendly:

Here's V2 to make the conditions even clearer: https://t.co/BxTKsN5ByA pic.twitter.com/1QYLuXb655

— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) August 18, 2022

What a mouthful.

The New York Islanders seemed to not be willing to attach a first-round pick to clear cap space while teams, like the Montreal Canadiens, wanted the New York Islanders to take back salary for a player like Anthony Beauvillier.

Leverage was not on the New York Islanders side and has not been for quite some time.

As for what the Islanders already have done, in terms of contracts with their restricted free agents, Friedman shared his insight.

“I think they have business done,” Friedman said. “I think Romanov is signed. I think Dobson is signed. I’m very curious to see about the numbers there. My guess is Romanov is coming in around the $3 million range.”

Where it gets interesting is Noah Dobson’s new deal.

“This is an interesting one because I have a wager with someone that I think Thompson’s number is a big number,” Friedman said. “And someone said to me, they don’t believe it that they would necessarily do that yet.”

“But I’m very curious to see what Dobson’s number is going to be.”

The New York Islanders fan base is getting restless that they have yet to make a free agent signing, with their only transaction of the offseason being that draft night trade for Alexander Romanov.

Time is ticking to upgrade this New York Islanders club and the player pool is thinning with the best free agent available in Kadri now off the table.