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Islanders will get $6M cap relief with Johnny Boychuk coming off the books

Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk skates during an NHL summer training camp session at Northwell Health Ice Center on July 22. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke

There haven’t been many additions for the Islanders through this offseason molded by the COVID-19 pandemic and a flat, $81.5 million salary cap. But the math is closer to working out with Johnny Boychuk’s $6 million cap hit coming off the books.

President and general manager Lou Lamoriello still must re-sign restricted free agent Mathew Barzal and then fit his No. 1 center’s new deal under the cap ceiling.

Lamoriello’s task became easier – though the Islanders’ defense depth was further depleted – when Boychuk announced Nov.