New York Islanders Master Plan to Fix the Defense

Re-sign Calvin de Haan, Ryan Pulock, Brandon Davidson, and Thomas Hickey (if he takes a team-friendly deal)

There are many players the Islanders need to re-sign this offseason, and the Islanders must prioritize these players and lock them up.

Calvin de Haan was injured last season, but when healthy, he has shown he can be a top-four, lock-down defender that this team needs. The New York Islanders season spiraled out of control after he went down, and he has proven his value to Doug Weight’s club.

Since de Haan was injured, he may sign a one or two-year, prove-it deal. A two-year, $3.5 million per year contract should be enough to get this done if the Islanders act fast.

Ryan Pulock is an emerging star, and he will be a cornerstone for this franchise for years to come. Locking him up is a vital part of this offseason, and there are two possible options. Pulock could sign a cheap bridge deal, or take the long-term approach and sign a contract similar to Jaccob Slavin in Carolina.

Slavin took the money and signed a seven-year, $5.3 million per year contract. A similar contract (5-7 years, ~$4.5 million per year) would give Pulock a paycheck for years to come, and give the Islanders a top-defenseman for the next half-decade.

Brandon Davidson was not the big fish the Islanders needed at the Trade Deadline, but he was a solid acquisition and showed himself to be a reliable seventh defenseman who can play when needed. Re-signing him to a one or two-year deal at $1.5 million per year would give the Islanders a valuable depth d-man.

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And now for the wildcard: Thomas Hickey. Hickey was perhaps the Islanders best defenseman last season, and he took his partner, Ryan Pulock, to another level. He has been reliable ever since he was claimed off waivers from the Kings, and there is still a place for him on this club. If he takes a team-friendly deal (2-4 years, $3 million per year), he should be re-signed.

If Hickey decided to test the market and potentially sign a larger deal with another team, the Islanders could sign a free agent to take his place. Nick Holden (NYR), Clayton Stoner (VGK), and John Moore (NJD) are all potential options to add to the club as a sixth defenseman.