New York Islanders Offseason Plan If John Tavares Leaves (Competitive)

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SUNRISE, FL – APRIL 15: Calvin de Haan #44 of the New York Islanders prepares for a face-off against the Florida Panthers in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the NHL 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the BB&T Center on April 15, 2016 in /

Re-Sign Calvin de Haan: three years $10.5 million ($3.5 million AAV)

A year ago, the Islanders were in the same boat. They had the opportunity to give Calvin de Haan a long-term contract extension and instead, de Haan got a one-year prove it deal. Unfortunately for de Haan, he couldn’t prove he was worth a long-term more expensive deal because he got hurt just 33 games into the season.

The Islanders defense fell apart after losing de Haan to injury. As we know, the Islanders let up the most goals in the entire league last year. It wasn’t pretty.

de Haan isn’t flashy, but he’s a capable NHL level defenseman that slots in rather nicely on a team’s second pair. He would be just that if the Islanders did re-sign him a second pairing option for the team.

In those 33 games last year he had 12 points (one goal, 11 assists). Over the course of a full 82 game season that’s a 30 point season, which would’ve been the highest of his career to date.

Most assume that Calvin de Haan is gone on July 1, but I wouldn’t be so fast to assume the Islanders are better off letting him go. A slight raise, on a three-year deal, is fair for both sides. de Haan gets a raise and security after a season-ending injury and the Islanders get a top-four defenseman at a reasonable price.