New York Islanders Podcast: Contract Extensions for Future on Defense

Our latest New York Islanders podcast is available for your consumption. This week’s hot topics are new signings and top ten prospects.

This week the New York Islanders announced that they had signed restricted free agents Devon Toews and Ryan Pulock to two-year deals. Both came in with a combined AAV of $2.7 million per season.

From what we know about the quality of these two defenders, the Islanders are going to eventually pay these young men. But until they reach that height, the Isles won’t have to pay them like ones. Both are under 25. Both will eventually become top-four defenders in the NHL.

The Islanders don’t need to be frugal. They don’t have to same cap space. In Scott Malkin and John Ledecky, the Islanders have owners that will spend to the cap ceiling.

But as Lou figures out what the Islanders actually have, there’s no need to spend big and waste money. It’s the hallmark of a rational and strategic executive who now sits at the top of the Islanders hockey operations. Something the Islanders haven’t had since the mid-80’s. A competent person running the show.

What Else Did We Talk About?

For a month where no hockey has been played, we still have plenty to talk about:

• As the Islanders figure out what they have in the franchise and in the system, who are the Islanders top ten prospects? Kieffer Bellows and the two first-round draft picks from 2018 certainly make the list. But what about Ilya Sorokin? The Russian goalie seems comfortable in Russia. Where does he rank?
• Mathew Barzal showed off some incredible skill with some silky dekes and some incredible skills. It’s exactly what New York Islanders fans needed to get over what transpired at the start of the July.
• Should the New York Islanders trade for Max Pacioretty? The Montreal Canadiens captain won’t be re-signed by the Habs. So should the Isles try to acquire a player that ranks tenth in the league in goals since 2013?

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Next: Isles Top 5 Choices for Captain

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