The New York Islanders announced the signing of forwards Jeff Tambellini and Sean Bergenheim to two year contracts. Both players were restricted free agents prior to agreeing to new deals with the Isles. Bergenheim had been scheduled to go to arbitration.

Tambellini will have a salary of $550,000 in 2008-09 and $625,000 in 2009-10. The son of former Islander Steve Tambellini split last season between the Islanders and their Bridgeport farm club. In 31 games with the Islanders, Tambellini scored once and added three assists. In 57 games with Bridgeport, Tambellini lead the Sound Tigers with 38 goal (which tied him for second in the league) and 76 points.

Last season, GM Garth Snow and coach Ted Nolan disagreed on Tambellini's role and how much ice time he should receive with Nolan keeping him on the fourth line and giving him precious few chances on the power play while Snow wanted to give the young forward more ice time.

"We're extremely happy that we have Jeff as a member of the Islanders organization for the next two years," Islanders' General Manager Garth Snow said. "We know that Jeff will come to training camp in shape and ready to compete in September and we look forward to it."

Tambellini actually signed for less than his qualifying offer of $660,000 in order to get a one-way contract. With the Islanders dedicated to a youth movement, a spot on the top two lines appears to be Tambellini's to lose.

Sean Bergenheim's two year deal was worth a total of $1.725 million. He will receive $800,000 in 2008-09 and $975,000 the following season. Bergenheim rejoined the Islanders last season after playing the previous season in Europe. The former first round draft pick scored 10 goals and 22 points in 78 games but picked up his play and his production in the team's final 25 games. Bergenheim is also an aggressive fore-checker and adds grit to the Islander lineup.

"We're very happy to have Sean locked up for two years," Snow added. "He's another young player who we're excited to see at training camp and competing."

As part of his contract, Bergenheim also agreed to make a large donation to Islanders Inspire, the team's children's charity.

Notes

The Islanders also announced that centers Jeremy Colliton and Ben Walter had signed their qualifying offers. Both players were inked to one year, two-way deals. Colliton and Walter spent the majority of the season in the AHL but spent some time with the Islanders when injuries necessitated their call-up.

Forward Frans Nielsen and defenseman Bruno Gervais have declined their qualifying offers but negotiations are continuing according to a report in Newsday.