The last time I read something along Matt Donovan's status was with Jesse Joensuu, who returned to the Islanders from Europe after an earlier qualifying offer retained his NHL rights in what was only a 48 game season. Joensuu failed to play the required games in 2013 & became an UFA, signing with Edmonton.
Donovan turns twenty five on May 9th. Joensuu (now 27) was the same age as Donovan during the Islanders 2013 playoffs vs Pittsburgh when he was a healthy scratch with only a few games remaining to be played to retain his rights. A recent update here listed the prospects who need to be signed by 5/31/15 or upon their graduation this summer.
Here are my thoughts on the status of Brent Thompson, who did lead the Sound Tigers to a first place finish in his previous stint coaching the Sound Tigers regarding 2014-15.
#isles #bst My thoughts on 2014-15 Sound Tigers fair or not are Brent Thompson should not be retained as teams head coach despite injuries.
— NYI Fan Central (@nyifancentral) April 19, 2015
Note-On Monday 4/20/15, the Ct Post did their season ending review, Thompson, and many of the players were quoted here..
Obviously the Islanders need a new ECHL affiliate for 2015-16 with the Calgary Flames buying the Stockton Thunder, and being moved to the AHL. That section has been removed with their season over.
These affiliations usually are announced or renewed in July, I would not read much for 2015-16 into Kevin Czuczman, and some other prospects sent to an ECHL team in Florida beyond getting them some playoff games.
The New York Islanders/Charles Wang are required to supply an AHL team (or better) per his agreement to operate Webster Bank Arena for a team with a lease through 2021.
Bruce Ratner has promised per his agreement with Nassau County, an AHL team to play at a renovated Nassau Coliseum.
Only Jon Ledecky, Scott Malkin, know where they fall into any of this when/if they become majority owners. Bridgeport President, Howard Saffan, works for Charles Wang.