New York Islanders Could Cash In On 2018 Pending UFAs

The New York Islanders have many players entering the final year of their contracts. Most of them will not be with the blue and orange after this season. However, the Isles could cash in from these players being in their walk year.

There is a lot on the line for many of the New York Islanders who are one year away from unrestricted free agency. The captain aside, all the other pending free agents could be very attractive to other clubs with a big 2017-18 season. Having a sub par season, however, could have them waiting by the phone next July.

With so much on the line from a personal standpoint, one would think these pending UFA’s had a rigid off-season program and will have a day in – day out razor focus this upcoming season. If that is the case, obviously the Isles would benefit from that.

Jaroslav Halak

The 32-year old Jaroslav Halak future NHL career hangs in the balance this season. A strong season could easily make him the top UFA goalie on the market next summer. If he duplicates last year’s performance he could have a hard time finding work in the league.

New York Islanders

With Thomas Greiss inked to a new three-year deal and with top goalie prospect Linus Soderstrom Long Island bound next season, this will be Halak’s last year with the Isles.

Josh Bailey

The soon to be 28-year old Josh Bailey is coming off his best season (13 goals & 56 points). Obviously, the Isles have to sign John Tavares and remember Anders Lee is a UFA in just a couple of years.

Add in all the talented young forwards the Isles have and it’s hard to see Bailey returning to Long Island after this season.

Calvin de Haan

The 26-year old, Calvin de Haan is also coming off his best year posting five goals, 25 points with a plus 15. The other first round pick in 2009 (12th overall) dealt with injuries early on in his career. Since then he has stayed healthy.

Given his age and the fact he has become a reliable top-four blue liner, an excellent pay day awaits de Haan. That’s provided he doesn’t take a step back this season.

With the abundance of young talented defenseman in the organization and in today’s cap world, odds are Calvin will be elsewhere after next season.

The Rest

Believe it or not, the Isles have four more key players in their walk year. Two of them are grisly veterans in Jason Chimera and Dennis Seidenberg. With Chimera being 38 and Seidenberg 36, every season these vets are playing for their NHL lives.

Thomas Hickey (28) and Nikolai Kulemin (31) still have a lot of hockey ahead of them. But in today’s tight NHL cap world, complementary players like Hickey and Kulemin can’t take anything for granted.

Of all these pending UFA’s the one most likely to resign has to be Hickey. He is a solid player, who is a strong voice in the locker room and gives the Isles a veteran presence at a reasonable cap number.

Next: Beau Wants a Bigger Role

Obviously, the biggest Islanders on his walk year is Tavares. It goes without saying but there is no way, no how, that John Tavares leaves the New York Islanders next season. It just can’t happen.