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New York Islanders Predicting RFA Contract Extensions

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 02: Michael Dal Colle #28 of the New York Islanders (c) scores the game winning goal at 17:37 of the third period against the Los Angeles Kings at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on February 02, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Kings 4-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 02: Michael Dal Colle #28 of the New York Islanders (c) scores the game winning goal at 17:37 of the third period against the Los Angeles Kings at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on February 02, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Kings 4-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JUNE 27: Fifth overall pick Michael Dal Colle of the New York Islanders poses for a portrait during the 2014 NHL Draft at the Wells Fargo Center on June 27, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) /

Michael Dal Colle | LW

He’s finally playing in the NHL. I thought it might never happen. Going into the 2018-19 NHL season I was certain that the New York Islanders would find a way to trade their fifth overall pick in 2014 for some immediate help.

But that didn’t occur and Michael Dal Colle came into his own at the AHL level, finally.

This season, in 29 games for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, Michael Dal Colle has score 28 points. He scored 24 points in 60 games for Bridgeport during the 2017-18 season.

And he earned himself a call up to the NHL, where he hasn’t disappointed.

He’s nowhere near the almost point-per-game pace he was setting in the AHL, but he’s playing well defensively and contributing with some depth scoring with four points in 19 games. With Anthony Beauvillier struggling, Dal Colle has been moved up to take his spot next to Mathew Barzal.

But much like Beauvillier we still have no idea what Michael Dal Colle can be. Nineteen NHL games don’t make an NHL player.

Again, a two-year deal is basically a guarantee for anyone on this list. It’s the classic NHL bridge deal and Lou is the classic NHL GM. Dal Colle is going to get a two-year deal.

His current cap hit sits at $863,333 (thanks to it sliding for a year). You cant’ expect him to be signed to more than a $1 million AAV on his bridge deal. With him actually earning NHL monies (unlike Toews) it’s hard to see him earning less next season.

Lou gave both Toews and Pulock one-way deals. I’m sure Dal Colle will want the same security, and maybe he gets it. But he’ll have to keep playing well this season, even if he goes back to the AHL when Andrew Ladd gets back.

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