Eyes On Isles
Fansided

Islanders: Tom Kuhnhackl Signing Makes Sense for the 2021 Season

By Kieran Hurley

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - MARCH 30: Tom Kuhnhackl #14 of the New York Islanders skates against the Buffalo Sabres at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on March 30, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Sabres 5-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - MARCH 30: Tom Kuhnhackl #14 of the New York Islanders skates against the Buffalo Sabres at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on March 30, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Sabres 5-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Tom Kuhnhackl looks close to signing for the New York Islanders for the upcoming season. Here’s why the deal makes sense for the Islanders.

Earlier this offseason, the New York Islanders parted ways with all of their five unrestricted free agents. Thomas Greiss and Derick Brassard signed with different franchises, but Matt Martin and Andy Greene have returned to Long Island with the blue and orange.

The only player left from that group of UFA’s was

Tom Kuhnhackl

. Kuhnhackl played the last two seasons with the Isles and until now many hockey fans had no clue what franchise Kuhnhackl would be skating for in 2021.

Smart Move

Today seems to have cleared it up. Kuhnhackl was named to the Islanders training camp roster, although he has yet to sign a contract with the blue and orange. This means that a deal between the Islanders and Kuhnhackl will most likely be coming in the coming hours or days.

At the moment, although not made official by the Islanders, Kuhkackl is signed to a PTO.

Most would assume that the contract will be one or two years and close to the league minimum for the two-time Stanley Cup Champion and it looks to be a smart move for the Islanders considering the circumstances.

The salary cap is the Islanders’ biggest issue. With the need to re-sign Mathew Barzal, Lou Lamoriello has very little space to go out and sign any big-name free agents.

Kuhnhackl is the perfect role player for the Isles. Even though he does not pick up many points, he showed over the past two seasons, and in the 2020 playoffs, that he can step in and do his job in whatever role the Islanders place him in.

Want your voice heard? Join the Eyes On Isles team!

Write for us!

In a short sprint season, where there is a higher chance of injuries and top players needing rest, Kuhnhackl gives the Islanders a perfect option to come into the lineup and get the job done at a cheap price.

Isles Country: Do you think bringing back Tom Kuhnhackl is a good move for the Isles? Leave your comments below!

Related Story. Vande Sompel Does Not Make Isles Training Camp Roster

Home/Editorials