Islanders sign Collin Adams to entry-level deal after breakout senior season

The New York Islanders agreed to terms with prospect Collin Adams on a two-year, entry-level contract that will begin in the 2021-22 season. Adams recently finished his senior season at the University of North Dakota and could have become an unrestricted free agent had he waited until August. Instead, he’ll sign with the team that drafted him back in 2016.

Adams, a sixth-round pick of the Islanders five years ago, turned in a dominant season for UND this year. In 29 games he recorded 14 goals and 34 points, earning himself an honorable mention for the NCHC All-Star Team. It’s a pretty substantial win for the Islanders to have him not only snub free agency, but also agree to start his contract next season, meaning he’ll be under the entry-level limits through 2022-23. They don’t need him in the NHL this year but could use him as inexpensive depth for the next couple of years.

Standing just 5-9, Adams isn’t an imposing figure on the ice, but he has a real chance to make it to the NHL because of his strong skating ability. Scott Wheeler of The Athletic recently ranked him as the Islanders’ 11th-best prospect, though did project him as a “AAAA” player, meaning he’ll be stuck somewhere between the NHL and AHL. He’ll get his chance to prove he’s much more than that when his contract kicks in next season.