Islanders leave Josh Bailey and Jordan Eberle unprotected, re-sign Greene

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The New York Islanders’ expansion draft protected list has been revealed, and it comes with a few surprises.

Some pretty unexpected decisions were made, with the Islanders protecting Cal Clutterbuck and Matt Martin, while leaving Josh Bailey and Jordan Eberle exposed.

I don’t mind the decision to leave Eberle exposed to try and clear more cap space, but I’m much less of a fan of leaving Bailey exposed. Obviously, Seattle was never taking either Clutterbuck or Martin so this is clearly a move to try and clear space, but at a $5 million AAV, Bailey brings pretty decent value for his contract. He was one of the team’s better forwards through both the regular season and playoffs and personally, I don’t see Seattle taking Bailey as a win for the Islanders.

If New York was set on doing this, I also don’t see why they wouldn’t protect Kieffer Bellows over Clutterbuck or Martin. I think there’s a high chance that Bailey or Eberle could get selected but with the two forwards exposed, there was room for Bellows to be protected.

In other news from yesterday, the Islanders reportedly re-signed defenseman Andy Greene to a one-year contract, according to Arthur Staple. The deal will carry a $750,000 cap hit, with an additional $250,000 in performance bonuses.

Greene has been with the Islanders since being acquired from the New Jersey Devils at the 2020 trade deadline. This season, he averaged 17:35 per game and managed five points in 55 games.

It was key that the Islanders get a deal finalized with Greene ahead of the expansion draft, as the Nick Leddy trade meant that New York was left without a defenseman to expose in the draft. With Greene signed though, he can be left exposed, with no real threat of him being selected by Seattle. Apart from the expansion draft implications, it’s also just a positive to see Greene back with the Islanders for next year. He’s a great partner for Noah Dobson, as the defensively reliable veteran who balances out the young, more offensive defender. Especially at that price, Greene should bring great value for the Islanders once again.

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Do you agree with the decision to leave Josh Bailey unprotected?

OTHER ARTICLES FROM JULY

Islanders aiming to re-sign Casey Cizikas and Kyle PalmieriIslanders must consider trading Semyon VarlamovPredicting the Islanders’ Expansion Draft Protection ListFour bad contracts the Islanders could look to move this offseasonLooking at Oliver Wahlstrom’s strong rookie seasonPredicting Anthony Beauvillier’s next contractLosing Nick Leddy to Seattle would leave hole on Islanders’ blue lineIslanders are reportedly shopping Jordan Eberle, Nick Leddy and othersShould the Islanders attempt to trade for Vladimir Tarasenko?Islanders trade Nick Leddy to Red WingsIslanders trade Andrew Ladd and draft picks to Coyotes