Top Shelf – Islanders Daily 8/2/13

April 21 2013; Denver, CO, USA; St. Louis Blues defenseman

(19) during the second period against the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The St. Louis Blues agreed to terms with soon-to-be free agent D Jay Bouwmeester yesterday on a five-year deal worth a reported $27 million (AAV $5.4 million). The Blues continued on their offseason path of re-signing any and all available in-house talent by re-upping Bouwmeester with a contract that goes into effect after the 2013-14 NHL season.

Bouwmeester will play out the final year of his current contract given to him by the Calgary Flames (5 years, $33.4 million) in St. Louis without having to worry about job security next summer.

The veteran D-man recorded seven goals and 15 assists while splitting time between the Flames and the Blues last season, and notched one assist in St. Louis’s six-game opening round postseason series loss to the Los Angeles Kings.

Bouwmeester is basically a 30-point man on the blue line and was brought to St. Louis to form the top defensive pair with budding star Alex Pietrangelo. While Bouwmeester won’t wow fans with all-world caliber offensive play, his defensive skills were enough for St. Louis to locking him up until he’s into his mid-thirties.

By contrast, the New York Islanders signed Travis Hamonic to a seven-year deal worth $27 million with a cap hit of approximately $3.857 million. The difference between that deal and Bouwmeester’s is that Hamonic will be 29 when his contract expires, while Bouwmeester is 29 today, before his new deal even kicks in.

Do the math: GM Garth Snow has proven again that he’s able to make the smart signings, while crazier deals work themselves out elsewhere.

-MW (@MichaelWillhoft)

In Case You Missed It

New York Islanders: EYES Chats With Beat Writer Arthur Staple (EOI)

Offseason Q&A: St. Louis Blues (EOI)

Ziggy Palffy’s Career: Memories of the One-Man Island(er) (Lighthouse Hockey)

Zigmund Palffy, and Others Who Belong in the Islanders Hall of Fame (Isles Optimism)

Blues Sign Bouwmeester (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

Stars New Additions Select Numbers, Other Players Opt For Changes (Dallas Morning News)

Cup Tracker: Bolland Takes Lord Stanley Home (CSN Chicago)

Two Minutes For Tweeting

Because spending time at work watching Islanders playoff highlights is never a bad idea.

Because when Ashley refers to the “worst rap album cover of all time,” she really means “BEST RAP ALBUM COVER OF ALL TIME.”

Because based on the hype we’re seeing on the interwebs, Cal Clutterbuck might have to bring a few extra pictures of himself to sign on Tuesday.

Because that’s as close to an open threat that you’ll see from the Islanders’ newest enforcer. (Or at least from his parody ego account.)

Because the Coliseum.

As always, thanks for reading us at EyesOnIsles. Keep it right here for all of your NHL offseason coverage and up-to-the-minute Islanders news. Be sure to check the menu bar at the top of the page for ways to connect with the EyesOnIsles staff; we’re always happy to talk hockey.