The New York Islanders have added some minor league depth, signing Cole Bardreau to a two-year, two-way contract. Bardreau was a Group VI unrestricted free agent this summer after failing to receive an opportunity at the NHL level with the Philadelphia Flyers. The deal carries an average annual value of $700K at the NHL level.
Bardreau, 25, was signed by the Flyers out of Cornell University in 2015 and jumped immediately into the professional ranks with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. A former member of the USNTDP and World Junior gold medalist, Bardreau has played the part of reliable two-way center for the Phantoms for the last several years but never received a chance at the NHL level. He’ll have to clear waivers to be sent down to the minors this year, but that shouldn’t be a problem if the Islanders choose to lend him to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers for the season.