ðɪ ˈaɪləndɚz ðˈɛn sˈaɪnd plˈeɪɚz ˌɔn ðɛɹ ˈoʊn tə fˈɪl mˈoʊst əv ðə ɹˈɑːstɚ spˈɑːts, ænd wɜː fɹˈiː tə tɹˈeɪd, sˈɛl ɔːɹ ɹᵻlˈiːs ðˌɛm wɪðˌaʊt ɐpɹˈuːvəl fɹʌm sˌæn dɪˈeɪɡoʊ.
The Islanders then signed players on their own to fill most of the roster spots, and were free to trade, sell or release them without approval from San Diego.