Islanders sign Ho-Sang, Dal Colle to new contracts
The New York Islanders have signed forwards Josh Ho-Sang and Michael Dal Colle to new contracts, the team announced Monday.
Ho-Sang's new one-year deal is worth $874,000, while Dal Colle's two-year pact carries an average annual value of $700,000, according to CapFriendly. Both players were restricted free agents, and each has struggled to make a mark with the Islanders since the organization drafted them in the first round in 2014.
Selected 28th overall at the 2014 NHL Draft, Ho-Sang possesses an incredible skill set that's been overshadowed by off-ice issues. As a 19-year-old, Ho-Sang was sent home on the very first day of training for being late, and he's since been berated by staff on numerous occasions for supposed immaturity. He also faced scrutiny in his first NHL stint for wearing Mario Lemieux's No. 66 - which was changed upon the arrival of general manager Lou Lamoriello.
Now 23, Ho-Sang was productive in the AHL last season, registering 43 points in 56 games, but he's only played 53 contests with the Islanders so far in his career.
New York drafted Dal Colle fifth overall in 2014 after he showed a ton of promise in the OHL, but his junior success hasn't materialized in the big leagues yet. The 23-year-old has appeared in only 32 games for the Isles since being drafted, though he is coming off a strong AHL campaign in which he averaged a point per game over 34 contests.
The Islanders now have a projected $7.9 million in cap space, according to CapFriendly. Restricted free-agent forward Anthony Beauvillier is the only player on the club's ledger without a contract.