New York Islanders Should Extend Calvin de Haan During The Season

The stark contrast between Calvin de Haan’s desire for $5M and the New York Islanders measly $1.95 million contract offer was concerning. However, Garth Snow was able to get past this difference and agree to a one-year, $3.3 million deal with the Islanders. Hopefully, Snow is not done.

Currently, the New York Islanders defensive core is shaky at best. With the departure of Travis Hamonic, the Isles bottom-four will most likely consist of a Pelech-Pulock pair that has combined to play in only 69 NHL games, and a pairing of de Haan and 36-year old Dennis Seidenberg.

Considering the free agency market next offseason is the weakest in years for defensemen (Zdeno Chara and Jack Johnson headline the list), the Islanders are going to have to address Calvin de Haan’s future at some point in 2018.

Next offseason is looking like it will become the “summer of John Tavares,” so the Islanders would be smart to negotiate an extension with de Haan over the course of this coming season to make sure they won’t lose him.

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What the Islanders Should Do

The New York Islanders just locked up Adam Pelech to a very team friendly four-year, $6.4 million deal with hope that he can make a serious impact with the team for the remainder of the decade.

Pelech will be forced to take on a top-four role with the Islanders if Calvin de Haan bolts for another team next season. Pelech may be a great young player, but if he is playing top-four minutes for the Isles in 2018, they could be in trouble.

To solve this problem, Garth Snow should start talking to Calvin de Haan as soon as he can to start negotiating a long term contract.

If Calvin de Haan has a good start to the season, the Islanders can feel more comfortable locking him up to a deal closer to the $5 million AAV he is looking for. When a long term contract is agreed upon, de Haan will achieve the financial stability he desires and the Islanders will have a budding star.

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Summary

The Islanders D-core is already a weakness for next season, and the Islanders could be left without many options next offseason. If they are focusing all their efforts of re-signing John Tavares, they may be distracted and not prioritize extending de Haan as much as they should have.

Just like the Isles did with Johnny Boychuk, Nick Leddy, Cal Clutterbuck and Thomas Greiss, Calvin de Haan should be extended during next season to make sure they can get him for a cheaper price that both sides can be comfortable with.

Whether fans like it or not, Calvin de Haan had a breakout year last season, and if he keeps it up, he can develop into a really good player. If Adam Pelech has a bad year next season and the Islanders lose de Haan, the team will be in trouble.

Next: Will There Be Drama or Success in Belmont Park?

Let’s hope that Garth Snow plans for this and locks up de Haan long term over the course of the next year.