New York Islanders: 2017 Contract Power Rankings

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Dec 20, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; New York Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk (55) skates after a loose puck during the second period against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

16: Johnny Boychuk ($6 million)

Johnny Boychuk is still the New York Islanders second best defensemen. But this deal gets a bad rank for how long it runs. Boychuk is 33 years-old today and still has five years on the deal. Want to know how many 39 years old play in the NHL right now? Seven. Odds are the Isles are going to either be paying for a player that isn’t playing anymore or for one who is a fraction of his former self.

15: Scott Mayfield ($625,000)

Sure, he has a cap hit that falls under a million. But Scott Mayfield is on a one-way deal. Meaning he has to go through waivers if the Isles want to make room for a guy like Ryan Pulock. Who would you rather? Yeah.

14: Calvin de Haan ($1.96 million) RFA

Call him Thomas Hickey v.2. Taken 12th overall in 2009 more was expected of de Haan. But for a $1.96 million cap hit the Isles got what they paid for. He’s only 26 and still has time to step up the Isles defensive depth chart. He’s a pending RFA this offseason and should expect to get a big raise. But a deal somewhere between $2.5 and $3 million seems fair.

13: Thomas Hickey ($2.2 million)

Thomas Hickey signed a three-year $6.6 million deal back 2015. Giving him a $2.2 million cap hit throughout For a player that averages 20 points a season that’s an OK. Deal. He’s a solid 3-4 defender, but that’s about it for Hickey. He belongs in the NHL and his deal reflects that. It’s fair value for what the Isles are getting.