UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) -The New York Islanders agreed to terms Wednesday with forward Jeff Tambellini on a two-year, one-way contract worth $1.175-million.
Tambellini, 24, led the Islanders’ Bridgeport (AHL) affiliate with 38 goals and 38 assists in 57 games. His 76 points set a franchise record.
Tambellini, a first-round pick of the Los Angeles Kings in the 2003 draft (No. 27 overall), had a goal and three assists in 31 games with the Islanders. He will earn $550,000 next season and $625,000 during 2009-10.
“We’re extremely happy that we have Jeff as a member of the Islanders organization for the next two years,” general manager Garth Snow said in a statement. “We know that Jeff will come to training camp in shape and ready to compete in September and we look forward to it.”
The use of Tambellini played a role in the split between Snow and former head coach Ted Nolan, who was dismissed from the team on Monday with each side citing philosophical differences. Nolan’s penchant for relying on veteran players over younger ones went against the Islanders’ plan for a youth movement.
Snow traded Nolan favorite veteran Chris Simon at the deadline last season and said clearing a roster spot for Tambellini to return from Bridgeport was a key reason for the move.
Tambellini has four goals and 13 assists in 79 NHL games, with Los Angeles and the Islanders.
New York also announced Wednesday that centers Jeremy Colliton and Ben Walter have accepted their qualifying offers. Both will play under one-year, two-way contracts next season.
Walter was second on Bridgeport in scoring with 66 points, including 20 goals, in 68 games. He got his first NHL goal and point last season at Tampa Bay.
Colliton had nine goals and 11 assists in 65 games with Bridgeport last season.
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