New York Islanders Five Players Not Playing Their Payroll

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Nov 14, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders right wing Ryan Strome (18) scuffle with Tampa Bay Lightning right wing J.T. Brown (23) during the second period at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

Ryan Strome

Cap hit: $2.5 million, Two Years Remaining

So much was expected of Ryan Strome. And in that first year so much was delivered. Fifty points in his first full season in the NHL. And since then, it has been lemming central (by that I mean his production has fallen off a cliff…like a lemming).

Remember how Josh Bailey is a benefactor of playing alongside John Tavares? So was Ryan Strome back in 2014-15.

It wasn’t all John Tavares, there were shades of Strome in there. But since that season Strome has looked far from the same player. Case and point, his very recent two-year $5 million contract.

This show-me contract was the organization’s way of saying: “We have no idea what you are. So show us over the next two year, and then, maybe we’ll pay you more.” (It’s nice to see the organization say they don’t know something, however, hypothetical the statement).

But even considering Strome’s terrible 2015-16 season, where he scored 27 points, he’s off-pace by the tune of nearly four points in the 19 games of 2016-17. Making that $5 million dollar deal look bad.

That’s quite the accomplishment, making a lowball “show-me” deal look bad. Maybe I’m just jumping the gun here by saying Strome isn’t worth the money. But, can you show me a stat or even a set of stats that indicate Strome is worth it? Probably not.