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New York Islanders Should Pay Attention To Carl Hagelin Signing

By Matt O'Leary |
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 10: Carl Hagelin #62 of the Washington Capitals in action against the Winnipeg Jets at Capital One Arena on March 10, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 10: Carl Hagelin #62 of the Washington Capitals in action against the Winnipeg Jets at Capital One Arena on March 10, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

The Washington Capitals made a great signing extending Carl Hagelin to an AAV worth $2.75 million. The New York Islanders should take notes.

One of the biggest criticisms for the New York Islanders is what they are willing to pay veteran bottom six options. Cal Clutterbuck, Leo Komarov, and Andrew Ladd who are all theoretically going to be in the Islanders bottom six this year make a combined 12 million.

When you see teams like the Capitals ink up Carl Hagelin to a four-year deal with an AAV of $2.75 million it’s hard not to take notice. Hagelin is coming off a down year, scoring only 19 points (5 goals, 14 assists) in 58 games.

Over the course of his career though, Hagelin averages 36 points over a full 82 game season. He’s also been known to be clutch in the playoffs scoring 22 goals in 128 games.

It’s hard not to compare this deal to the one that Leo Komarov signed with the Islanders last year. Keep in mind, he signed to a cap hit of $3 million and he averages just 30 points in a full season over the course of his career.

Another reason to like the Hagelin deal is the age difference. Hagelin is going to be 34 years old when the deal expires vs Komarov who is going to be 35 and who holds trade protection vs Hagelin who is completely moveable.

Yes, the cap hits are only $250,000 apart but I don’t think there’s any question that Hagelin is the much better player between the two. I’m not saying Hagelin would’ve been a good choice for the Islanders this year either, considering the plethora of bottom six options they have, just looking at how the contract situation played out I think the Capitals got good value on a bottom six forward.

The Islanders don’t have very many good value deals when it comes to the bottom six.

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