Islanders Trying To Work Out Derick Brassard Contract Extension

The New York Islanders are trying to work out a contract extension with Derick Brassard before free agency begins next week.

I’m going to be flat out honest with you, I don’t understand this one at all. David Pagnotta is reporting that the Islanders are attempting to work out a contract extension with Derick Brassard before free agency begins next week.

Last year, Brassard was brought in to replace Val Filppula as the third line center. That clearly didn’t work out as the Isles decided to trade for JG Pageau at the deadline and Brassard played a majority of his time on the wing.

Five of Brassard’s 10 goals came in his first 13 games this year. That means in his final 53 games he had as many goals as he did in his first 13 games of the season. To say he slowed down from December onward would be an understatement.

Brassard finished the season with 32 points (10 goals, 22 assists). On paper, that’s not bad from a third line perspective but when you consider how cold he was in the final half of the year, the production doesn’t look the same.

To his credit, Brass was decent for the Isles in the playoffs. He played in 18 games for them and had eight points (2 goals, 6 assists). Are the Isles looking to pay him off of an 18 game sample size?

Last year he made $1.2 million in a one-year deal and I can’t see him getting much more than that from the Isles. Remember, this team is in a cap crunch with only $8.9 million at the moment.

I have no idea what Lou Lamoriello’s plan is. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing that we don’t know his plan, I’m just a little concerned with the probability of retaining the three RFA’s while also re-signing Brassard who everyone assumed was gone after this year.

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Maybe Lou has more tricks up his sleeve than we originally thought? This week should be an interesting one for the Islanders leading up to the draft and free agency.