With Bo Horvat, Mathew Barzal, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, the incoming Calum Ritchie, Casey Cizikas, and Kyle MacLean, the New York Islanders are deep down the middle of the ice. 

And that center ice depth is becoming more valuable by the day. 

On Thursday, the Dallas Stars announced that they had signed center Matthew Duchene to a four-year deal worth $4.5 million annually. Then, while partying with the Stanley Cup, Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett said he wasn't leaving. 

Those are two big names that come off the free agent board, and they aren't the first two to do so. 

Former Islanders center Brock Nelson signed a three-year extension in Colorado, as he won't hit the open market.  Ryan Donato signed a four-year extension with the Chicago Blackhawks. 

Center Yanni Gourde, who went back to Tampa at the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline, signed a six-year extension. 

That leaves John Tavares, Mikael Granlund, Claude Giroux, Robbi Fabbri, Brandon Tanev, and Radek Faksa as the top centermen that could be available. 

With Mitch Marner leaving the Maple Leafs, it wouldn't be a shock to see him back. It's clear the Stars are trying to shed cap space so that they can retain Granlund. It sounds like Giroux will get something done in Ottawa. 

So, for teams looking to improve down the middle this summer, the options are limited. 

While Barzal and Horvat won't be on the move, Pageau has generated interest leading up to the 2025 NHL Draft. He has one year left on his deal at $5 million annually with a 16-team no-trade clause. 

Cizikas has two years left on his deal at $2.5 million with no trade clauses. MacLean has one year left at $775,000. 

Darche's phone will likely be ringing quite a bit with the center market drying up. 

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 Photo: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images