Islanders Sign Ladd And Chimera, Lose Okposo And Nielsen In Free Agency

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The NHL free agent frenzy began at noon Friday, and the Islanders struck quickly, agreeing to terms with forwards Andrew Ladd and Jason Chimera.

Meanwhile, the Islanders lost two of their own forwards in the opening minutes of free agency: Kyle Okposo and Frans Nielsen.

The deal for Ladd is reportedly for seven years, $38.5 million. Chimera's contract is for two years. Financial terms were not known Friday afternoon.

Ladd, 30, is an 11-year veteran who was traded from Winnipeg, where he was the team's captain, to Chicago at the trade deadline last season. In 78 games in 2015-16, he had 25 goals and 21 assists. He has been a member of two Stanley Cup championship teams -- the 2006 Carolina Hurricanes and 2010 Blackhawks.

Chmiera, 36, has played 16 years in the NHL, most recently for the Washington Capitals. Last season, he played in all 82 games, registering 20 goals and 20 assists.

Okposo inked a seven-year, $42 million deal with the Buffalo Sabres, according to TSN. And Nielsen, who was the longest-tenured Islander, signed a six-year contract worth $31.5 million with the Detroit Red Wings, Newsday reported.

Okposo was the Islanders' first-round pick in 2006. This past season, he had 22 goals and 42 assists.

Neilsen, a third-round pick in 2002, had 20 goals and 32 assists. He reportedly rejected an offer from the Islanders worth $5.5 million per season.