Islanders Linus Soderstrom Contract Not Worth Panic

Just yesterday the New York Islanders announced that they and prospect Linus Soderstrom had agreed on a three-year entry level contract. Don’t worry this isn’t going to be the three-headed goalie hydra part two.

It’s an easy joke for Islanders fans to make. Linus Soderstrom’s is now the new Jean-Francois Berube after signing a three-year ELC with the team that drafted him 95th overall in 2014.

To be fair we lived through two years of Berube sitting out 87% of the Islanders games in two years. And in the process, his presence, unfortunately for him, caused strife in the goaltending ranks. So seeing the Isles sign a goalie is an immediate warning sign.

Staying In Europe

Just this April Soderstrom signed a single year extension with his SHL club HV71. Keeping him at the Swedish club until the end of the 2017-18 season.

With HV71, Soderstrom beat Henrik Lundqvist‘s regular season SHL goals against average record with 1.34 in 22 games played. He then added a Le Mat Trophy after helping HV71 win the SHL playoffs with a 12-4 record.

Staying another year can only be a good thing for his development and for the Isles long-term goaltending health.

Because after Jaroslav Halak and Thomas Greiss is Christopher Gibson and Eamon McAdams on the goaltending depth chart. Names that don’t inspire confidence in the Isles future ability to stop pucks.

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Why Now?

It’s not like the Islanders were in any rush to sign him. According to the CBA, they hold Soderstrom’s right for four years:

"Article 8.6 (d)(i) Notwithstanding any provision of Sections 8.6(a) or (b) to the contrary, if a Player drafted at age 18 or 19 is drafted from a club outside North America, his drafting Club shall retain the exclusive right of negotiation for his services through and including the fourth June 1 following his selection in the Entry Draft."

That means they had until June 1st, 2018 to give him a contract. They likely wanted to get a jump on things for next season. The season where Jaroslav Halak comes off the Islanders books.

Next: Jaroslav Halak 2016-17 Player Grade

Soderstrom isn’t coming over anytime soon, at least not to take a spot on the Islanders 23-man active roster. So don’t worry, there won’t be a three-headed goalie monster on the Isle roster this season. At least not with Soderstrom in the mix.