Former Duck Haller Signed by Islanders

The New York Islanders signed defenseman Kevin Haller and center Mike Stapleton on Monday, as the rebuilding team continued its busy off-season.

Haller, a free agent, played 67 games last season for the Mighty Ducks. He had three goals and five assists. Stapleton, also a free agent, spent last season with the expansion Atlanta Thrashers, scoring 10 goals and set up 12 others in 62 games.

“These are great veteran additions for us,” General Manager Mike Milbury said.

The signings, announced on the first weekday after the July 1 opening of the free-agent signing period, followed New York’s big splash at the entry draft.

The once-proud franchise, which won four straight Stanley Cups in the 1980s, has gone six years without making the playoffs. “Obviously they’re making a lot of changes,” Haller said. “It’s going to be a lot different than last year.”