New York Islanders: 10 Teams Are Interested In Calvin de Haan

New York Islanders UFA defenseman Calvin de Haan is drawing a lot of interest from around the league despite missing significant time last year.

Besides John Tavares, Calvin de Haan is also entering Unrestricted Free Agency. Just this past year, de Haan played in 33 games but was productive in those 33 games tallying 12 points, a pace of 30 points over a full season.

de Haan has been a consistent part of the Islanders defensive core since 2013-2014. For the first time in five years, the New York Islanders are in danger of not having de Haan as a part of their defensive crew.

According to David Pagnotta, upwards of ten teams have interest in Calvin de Haan. If that’s the case, the chances of de Haan returning to Long Island are slim.

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When multiple teams are interested in a free agent it creates a bidding war, and de Haan isn’t a player you want to get in a bidding war over. Just last year, the Islanders elected to give de Haan a one-year prove it deal off a career year at $3.3 million.

The Isles had the chance to lock him up long-term but decided not to. de Haan lasted just 33 games before falling to a season-ending shoulder injury.

Unfortunately, injuries have been a major factor of Calvin de Haan’s career. In five years in the league, excluding the one game in 2011-2012, de Haan has played a full 82 game season once. The other four years he played 72, 65, 51, and 33 games.

If the bidding gets to upwards of $4.5-$5 million, and it could with that many teams involved, is it worth signing up for the potential of a 30 point year?

I think I would take my league leading cap space and go elsewhere if I’m Lou Lamoriello. de Haan at $3.3 to even $4 million I can sign up for. Once you get over that $4 million plateau it gets too risky due to injury history.

Instead, maybe the Islanders can look into signing Ian Cole to a shorter term, less money deal. Maybe something along the lines of three years $9 million ($3 million AAV). I think you’d get similar production for a cheaper cost that route, rather than locking up de Haan to a deal upwards of $20 million.

Next: Report: Islanders offered Tavares $88 million deal

I didn’t expect de Haan to be back, that’s why I was surprised by the Islanders using all four of their draft picks in the first two rounds. We’ll see what Lou has up his sleeve this week I’m sure.