Islanders Sign RFAs in Bellows, Dobson & Romanov

Even if the New York Islanders were not going to sign any free agents this offseason, they had internal matters to take care of regarding their restricted free agents. Although there were rumors that those deals were already done, on Monday, they became official.

The New York Islanders announced that restricted free agents Kieffer Bellows, Noah Dobson, and Alexander Romanov have agreed to terms on new contracts.

24-year-old Kieffer Bellows has signed a one-year deal after putting up six goals and 13 assists in 45 games during the 2021-22 season. His cap hit for the 2022-23 season is $1.2 million per CapFriendly, a slight pay raise from his $1.1 million he made a season ago.

Bellows is likely not a starting piece in the New York Islanders lineup when the puck drops in a few months, but his growth last season into becoming a strong two-way player gives new head coach Lane Lambert a solid depth piece.

The New York Islanders are still waiting for the former 19th overall pick to play to his true potential and maybe under a new head coach, Kieffer Bellows can do just that in 2022-23.

Noah Dobson, the most highly anticipated contract of the offseason for the New York Islanders, has agreed to a three-year deal. The 22-year-old is fresh off a breakout season, notching 13 goals and 38 assists in 80 games this past season.

Per NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, Dobson’s deal is worth $12 million, at $4 million annually.

Dobson has emerged as one of the strongest offensive pieces on the New York Islanders’ back end, if not the strongest. His growth gives the Islanders an added offensive boost from the backend, something they desperately needed, and over the next three seasons, Dobson has the ability to turn himself into a top-pairing defenseman if he can strengthen his game on the defensive side of the puck.

22-year-old Alexander Romanov, who was acquired by the New York Islanders for the 13th overall pick at the 2022 NHL Draft, has agreed on a three-year deal.

Romanov’s contract, per Friedman, carries an annual cap hit of $2.5 million.

The physical defenseman has a lot of promise and in the right system could flourish and become an elite second-line defenseman, which is why the New York Islanders brought him in.

His defensive game adds stability on the backend and his ability to transition should also help the Islanders create more offense.

Both Noah Dobson and Alexander Romanov will be 25 when their contract ends following the 2024-25 season.

New York Islanders president and general manager Lou Lamoriello will address the media at 1 PM ET today. This story will be updated when all information on their deals becomes available.