Now more than ever, with salary caps playing more of a role, it is difficult to retain players. Some key players to the Islanders that are hitting unrestricted free agency are Frans Nielsen, Kyle Okposo, Matt Martin and Marek Zidlicky.
Although the Islanders would probably like to bring back all of these guys, or at least three of them, the likelihood of that happening is slim to none.
The veteran defenseman, Marek Zidlicky is unlikely to re-sign with the Islanders. Zidlicky is more likely to retire than be back in an Islanders uniform.