NHL Free Agency 2012: New York Islanders Sign Enforcer Eric Boulton

The New York Islanders added a tough guy in Eric Boulton when they signed him to a free-agent contract on Monday. The team announced on Monday that they had signed Boulton to a one-year deal.

"I think we have a bright future here with all of the young talent we have. Playing against the Islanders last year (with New Jersey), they competed hard and they gave us a hard time. They were very competitive. I know this is a promising young team and it's on the up and up," said Boulton.

Boulton, 35, is an 11-year NHL veteran who was with the New Jersey Devils last season. In the 51 games he played, he had 115 penalty minutes. Boulton has played 600 games during his career. He has 27 goals, 46 assists and 1,265 penalty minutes in those games.

For more on the Islanders and their free agency activity stay tuned to this StoryStream. For more coverage on the Islanders, visit Lighthouse Hockey.

NHL Free Agency 2012: P.A. Parenteau Joins Colorado Avalanche

The New York Islanders lost three players to new teams on the first day of the 2012 NHL free agency period Sunday. The team's third-leading point scorer last season, P.A. Parenteau signed a four-year, $16 million deal with the Colorado Avalanche. Joining Parenteau out the door are Dylan Reese (Pittsburgh Penguins) and Michael Haley (New York Rangers).

Parenteau's loss is offset somewhat by Sunday's signing of Brad Boyes away from the Buffalo Sabres. Parenteau had 18 goals and 49 assists last season while spending time on the Isles' top line. Boyes could factor into the same line according to Lighthouse Hockey, and if not should be a wing contributor on powerplays.

Reese signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Penguins. He will make $600,000 next season if he plays in the NHL. Haley signed a two-year deal with the Rangers, though it's unclear whether it's a one-way or two-way deal.

For more on the Islanders and their free agency activity stay tuned to this StoryStream. For more coverage on the Islanders, visit Lighthouse Hockey.

NHL Free Agency 2012: New York Islanders Sign Matt Carkner, Brad Boyes

The New York Islanders addressed needs on blue line and on the wing on Sunday when they signed defenseman Matt Carkner and winger Brad Boyes (via NHL).

Carkner signed with the Islanders for three years and $4.5 million after another team, the Colorado Avalanche, announced he had signed with them. Carkner played for the Senators for the past five seasons. He has played 162 NHL games, recording four goals and 18 assists while racking up 361 penalty minutes. Carkner played in four playoff games last season for Ottawa and had one assist and 21 penalty minutes.

Boyes was signed to a one-year deal for $1 million. Boyes had eight goals and 15 assists for the Sabres last season in 65 games. Two goals and six assists for Boyes came via the power-play. For his career, Boyes has 158 goals (31 game-winners) and 214 assists. Thirty-one percent of his career points have come on the power-play.

For more on the Islanders and their free agency activity stay tuned to this StoryStream. For more coverage on the Islanders, visit Lighthouse Hockey.

NHLFree Agency 2012, New York Islanders: Not Likely To Make Big Splash