Islanders pony up with long-term contracts to keep quartet of stars

Uh, OK then!

The New York Islanders made the biggest splash on free agency, signing goaltenders Ilya Sorokin and Semyon Varlamov, defenseman Scott Mayfield and forward Pierre Engvall to long-term contracts.

Sorokin has signed an eight-year deal worth $8.25 million, with the franchise showing full commitment to one of the best young goaltenders in the NHL. Sorokin’s first four years will have a no-movement contract, while his modified no-trade clause will kick in for the final four years of the deal. Sorokin was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy after recording a 31-22-7 record with a .924 save percentage with the Islanders this past season. He led the league with six shutouts to help the Islanders clinch the top wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

Varlamov, who has been a popular trade target over the past two seasons, has a four-year deal under his belt. The Russian goaltender, who was drafted with the 23rd overall pick in 2006, will be 39 when his deal ends. He’s coming off of an 11-9-2 record with two shutouts while serving as a valuable backup to Sorokin.

Mayfield, 30, had six goals and 24 points during the regular season this year – both career highs. He has spent his entire NHL career in New York, with the big, 6-foot-5 defenseman recording 111 points in 428 games over 10 seasons. Mayfield was one of the top defensemen on the market, but could end up spending the rest of his career on Long Island.

Engvall signed a seven-year deal worth $3 million per season. It’s a nice step up from his $2.25 million deal signed last year with Toronto, before the Leafs shipped him out to the Islanders at the end of the season. The 27-year-old was drafted in the seventh round by Toronto in 2014 and has 92 points in 244 games over four years.