Except for the HOV-lane addition on the Long Island Expressway, Nassau County has never seen such a dramatic overhaul.
With new owners Charles Wang and Sanjay Kumar continuing their spending spree, the Islanders made two key acquisitions yesterday by signing unrestricted free agents Kevin Haller and Mike Stapleton.
A much-needed veteran defenseman, Haller was inked to a three-year deal at an average of $1.7 million per season – a hefty increase from his $950,000 salary last year with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. The Islanders have the option to sign him for a fourth season.
Stapleton, a checking center who will likely be placed on the fourth line with Claude Lapointe and Steve Webb, signed a two-year deal. His new contract is believed to be worth close to $500,000 a season, a raise from the $350,000 that he pulled in last year with the Atlanta Thrashers.
Joining an extensively upgraded roster, both Haller, 29, and Stapleton, 34, expressed excitement about the Islanders, and praised the team’s efforts to jump out of the NHL’s gutter.
“It’s a team that’s on its way up,” Haller said yesterday. “It’s been a good change in ownership. There’s a new excitement. They’re willing to spend some money to shoot for a playoff [position]. Obviously it’ll be a lot different than last year.”
Since the first day of the entry draft on June 24, the Islanders have made four trades, drafted two first-rounders and signed two unrestricted free agents.
With the club not exactly a top-choice destination for players in recent years, Islanders general manager Mike Milbury acknowledged that he didn’t expect to snag as talented a player as Haller.
“I was a little surprised, and I was a lot grateful,” Milbury said. “In previous years when we’ve gone out to look at free agents, they may have been high on our list, but I’m not so sure we were high on theirs.
“It’s clear that the perception of our team has changed. It’s clear that the new ownership has made a change in people’s viewpoints.”
An 11-year NHL veteran, the 6-foot-2, 199-pound Haller is a determined defensive backliner who said he plays “with a little bit of an edge, with some passion” and “some in-your-face hockey.” Last season he tallied three goals and five assists in 67 games.
Stapleton, who is entering his 12th NHL season, tallied 10 goals (tying his career-high) and 12 assists in 62 games last season.
On just his first day with the team, he has definitely caught Islander fever.
“We’re heading in the right direction,” Stapleton said. “With ownership making it a great place to play, and with so much talent in the lineup, I’m really happy to be a part of the Islanders.”
Some of his new teammates will include defenseman Roman Hamrlik, goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck, center Oleg Kvasha and right wing Mark Parrish, all acquired by trades during the entry draft.
Also joining them in training camp in Lake Placid will be 18-year-old goaltender Rick DiPietro, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, and left wing Raffi Torres, the No. 5 overall selection.
“I’m really excited about September,” Milbury said.
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Restricted free agents D Jamie Rivers and C Johan Davidsson have not been offered qualifying offers by the Isles, making them unrestricted free agents.
