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The New York Islanders announced that their AHL affiliate leading scorer Bracken Kearns has agreed to terms on a one-year, two-way contract. Kearns, 35, led the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in goals (23), assists (30), points (53) and plus-minus rating (+17) in his first year with the club. He also appeared in two NHL games with the Islanders late in the season, recording one assist.
The Isles expect to have another influx of prospects in Bridgeport, so a steady -- and productive -- veteran presence should help lead the way. Kearns has NHL experience too, with Florida and San Jose.
Rights to Pilon, Vande Sompel, Song Retained
In other more minor contract news:
#Isles have made the required contract offers to draft picks Ryan Pilon, Mitchell Vande Sompel and Andong Song.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) June 1, 2016
The latter is something that doesn't typically make news -- it's a paper formality, in a way -- but is a requirement of the CBA in order to retain the rights of amateur prospects drafted last year.
A "Bona Fide Offer" is an offer of an SPC which is for a period corresponding to the Player's age as required under Section 9.1(b) of this Agreement, is to commence at the start of the next League Year, offers at least the Minimum Paragraph 1 Salary as set forth in Section 11.12 of this Agreement for each League Year covered by such offer and remains open to the Player for at least thirty (30) days after receipt of the offer by the Player. A Bona Fide Offer may be conditioned upon acceptance by the Player within thirty (30) days and carries no right to salary arbitration.
Yada yada yada, the Islanders other 2015 draft picks -- outside of seventh-rounder Petter Hansson -- have already signed entry level contracts. As a player outside of North America, the Isles do not have to make a "bona fide" offer to Hansson to retain his rights at this time.
As discussed in our Top 25 Under 25 opening, Pilon has quit hockey, but if he changes his mind the Isles will at least keep his rights.