Lou Lamoriello pleased with Islanders' roster as team agrees to deals with Noah Dobson, Alexander Romanov and Kieffer Bellows

Less than a month remains before training camp opens, marquee unrestricted free agents Johnny Gaudreau and Nazem Kadri have signed elsewhere, and Monday’s announcement of deals for restricted free agents Noah Dobson, Alexander Romanov and Kieffer Bellows represented the most significant offseason news for the Islanders since Romanov was acquired from the Canadiens in early July.

But president and general manager Lou Lamoriello expressed optimism in the team’s virtually static construction — notwithstanding Lane Lambert replacing the fired Barry Trotz as coach — rather than disappointment after missing the playoffs for the first time since 2018.

“There’s no disappointment where we’re at because we feel very good about who we are or we would have made drastic changes,” Lamoriello said on a Zoom teleconference with the media. “I say that with confidence and we’re looking forward to getting back at it and maybe proving everybody wrong.”

Dobson, 22, an emerging star defenseman, agreed to a three-year, $12 million deal. Romanov, 22, acquired from the Canadiens on July 7 for the 13th overall pick and potentially Dobson’s new defense partner, agreed to a three-year, $7.5 million deal. Bellows, 24, got one year and $1.2 million.

That leaves the Islanders with approximately $3.5 million in space under the $82.5 million salary cap. As was the case during the Islanders’ UFA pursuits, salary still would need to be moved out to bring in high-priced talent.

Lamoriello began the offseason speaking of making “hockey trades” to improve the roster and said at the NHL Draft in Montreal that he preferred to add two defensemen.

“We looked at many different options,” he said. “Unfortunately, the options that we looked at, as I had mentioned to make hockey trades, we would not have gotten in return for what we had to give up to make us, in my opinion, a better team.

“I’m actually really excited about the team that we have, right now, going into the season. If the pluses and minuses don’t work out, then you’re really downgrading your whole team.”

Either Gaudreau, who had 40 goals and 75 assists for the Flames last season before signing a seven-year, $68.25 million deal with the Blue Jackets, or Kadri, who had 28 goals and 59 assists for the Stanley Cup-winning Avalanche before signing a seven-year, $49 million deal with the Flames, would have been a significant upgrade for the Islanders’ offense both five-on-five and on the power play.

“I think we will be a little more offensive,” Lamoriello said. “But we will not give up defense. Our team is built a certain way. I don’t apologize for it. I’m a goal-differential type of a person.”

More consistent play from Bellows and fellow first-rounder Oliver Wahlstrom could provide an internal upgrade to the Islanders’ offense. Aatu Raty, perhaps a steal as the 52nd overall pick in 2021, has a chance to crack the lineup after impressive performances in the AHL playoffs with Bridgeport and the World Junior Championships for Finland. William Dufour, a fifth-round pick in 2020, was another prospect Lamoriello mentioned.

Defensively, Lamoriello said he now hopes to fill out the Islanders’ roster past their top five with internal candidates. Robin Salo and Sebastian Aho were re-signed this offseason. Lamoriello said he has had no discussions with veteran UFAs Zdeno Chara or Andy Greene.

Lamoriello also declined to discuss whether there have been any negotiations toward a contract extension for Mathew Barzal, who is entering the last season of a three-year, $21 million deal and can be an RFA with arbitration rights next offseason.

By Andrew Gross

andrew.gross@newsday.comAGrossNewsday

Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.