Fansided

Islanders: Brandon Carlo Sets Market For Adam Pelech

By Matt O'Leary |
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - JANUARY 18: Skating in his 300th NHL game, Brandon Carlo #25 of the Boston Bruins is checked by Mathew Barzal #13 of the New York Islanders during the second period at the Nassau Coliseum on January 18, 2021 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - JANUARY 18: Skating in his 300th NHL game, Brandon Carlo #25 of the Boston Bruins is checked by Mathew Barzal #13 of the New York Islanders during the second period at the Nassau Coliseum on January 18, 2021 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The New York Islanders have a very three key RFA’s to worry about this offseason, including top-pairing defenseman Adam Pelech. Pelech, who is one of the best defensive defensemen in the league, is an integral part of the Islanders’ identity.

Their goal is to play a defensively sound game and that’s exactly what Pelech brings to the table. When trying to pinpoint what Adam Pelech will get on his next contract, people have come in all over the board.

Arthur Staple, who covers the team for The Athletic, has a potential deal in the $5.5 million to $6 million per year range. I’ve seen others who said that he would get the same as Pulock ($5 million AAV), and even some who think it will be under $5 million.

Well today, I think we got a pretty good idea of what it could look like. Brandon Carlo of the Boston Bruins just signed a six-year deal worth $24.6 million ($4.1 million AAV).

Carlo’s a defensive defenseman by trade, just like Adam Pelech. Here’s how the two compare over the past three years from an offensive perspective.

Brandon Carlo 82 game pace: 16 points (4 goals, 12 assists) – 3.3 S%

Adam Pelech 82 game pace: 21 points (5 goals, 16 assists) – 4.1 S%

To be fair, Carlo is much more one-dimensional than Pelech. As beautifully displayed by @JFreshHockey, Pelech is the better player now the conversation is by how much.

What this shows is the starting point. Adam Pelech will get at least $4.1 million a year, but how much more becomes the question. Upwards of $1 million to $1.9 million more to reach that $5.5 million to $6 million? I’d be very surprised if it got up that high.

Pelech deserves more, but I think you’re looking at something more along the lines of six-year $28.5 million ($4.75 million AAV). The high $4’s to $5 million flat seems like the ballpark, at least to me. Fair or not, the market is different for defensemen who don’t put up points, and Lou Lamoriello knows that.

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Regardless, we now know the ballpark of what Lou Lamoriello will be working in on his negotiations with Adam Pelech.

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