Lighthouse Hockey, a New York Islanders community

The NHL lockout appears just days away, and there are a few major restricted free agents who look like they won't be signed before the rules change for good.

The pool of NHL free agent forwards is voluminous. Some might even sign with the New York Islanders.

P.A. Parenteau's agent says he'll be hitting unrestricted free agency, meaning the New York islanders will have to find other names to fill their roster once July 1 hits.

The New York Islanders have seen their share of depth players miss the cut and have to find work in Europe after a cutthroat NHL has cast them aside.

Mikkel Boedker and Josh Bailey were drafted one slot apart, rushed to the NHL, and awaiting RFA contracts this summer. Bailey's should be richer than the $1.1 million per that Boedker signed.

If the New York Islanders are still looking for defensive depth help, they could do worse than veteran Devils buyout Colin White.

The New York Islanders will need to spend to get to the cap, but the time to make up that difference is when value plays are available -- after NHL arbitration hearings have completed.

Reflecting on the eventful career of Mike Comrie, which stands at a crossroads at age 30 as an unsigned free agent coming off an illness-shortened year.

A look at the New York Islanders depth chart shows holes on the wing and blueline, some of which can be filled if Garth Snow and Charles Wang open the vault for a free agent or two.

On the first day of free agency, the Islanders signed 39-year-old Dwayne Roloson and were reported to be in the hunt for Mike Komisarek.