The New York Islanders have signed forward Emil Heineman to a two-year contract extension. The deal, announced Wednesday, carries an average annual value (AAV) of $1.1 million, totaling $2.2 million over the two years. At the end of the contract, Heineman will once again be a restricted free agent (RFA).

The 23-year-old Heineman was recently acquired by the Islanders in a trade with the Montreal Canadiens. The deal involved Noah Dobson going to the Canadiens, with Heineman, along with the 16th and 17th overall picks in the 2025 NHL Draft, heading to the Islanders. The Islanders used those picks to select Victor Eklund and Kashawn Aitcheson.

Heineman is coming off his first full NHL season with the Canadiens, where he recorded 10 goals and 8 assists for 18 points in 62 games. He also played in five playoff games, scoring one goal. Known for his skating and relentless effort, Heineman also racked up 173 hits during the regular season, averaging just under three hits per game.

Drafted 43rd overall by the Florida Panthers in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, Heineman's journey to the NHL has been circuitous. He was traded to the Calgary Flames as part of the Sam Bennett deal in 2021 and then to the Canadiens in 2022 in the Tyler Toffoli trade. He never played a game for either the Panthers or the Flames. Heineman signed his first NHL contract with Montreal in 2022, making his debut the following year.

There is speculation that Heineman will likely start on either the third or fourth line and could be a valuable asset on special teams. The Islanders are hopeful that Heineman can develop into a solid top-nine forward.

Notably, Heineman's production dipped last season after he was struck by a car while walking in Utah, resulting in an upper-body injury.

The Islanders have been active during this free agency period, acquiring Heineman and signing Jonathan Drouin and David Rittich.