Goaltender Ilya Sorokin has been impressive in his rookie season with the Islanders and is likely to get a substantial new deal. . Credit: AP/Chris O'Meara
Other moves and signings may come first. But, make no mistake, Lou Lamoriello’s priority this offseason is to re-sign his key restricted free agents.
It won’t be easy given the Islanders’ tight salary-cap situation under the flat, $81.5 million ceiling, but goalie Ilya Sorokin, defenseman Adam Pelech and speedy left wing Anthony Beauvillier will get new deals. All three are arbitration eligible.
The Islanders president and general manager vowed during his end-of-season media conference this week there would be no repeat of last offseason’s reluctant trade of defenseman Devon Toews — who garnered a handful of third-, fourth- and fifth-place votes in the Norris Trophy balloting — to the Avalanche for two second-round picks because of cap considerations.