The New York Islanders have done something! Honestly. The team announced on Friday that they agreed to an eight-year deal with defenseman Adam Pelech.
Getting Pelech signed was the Islanders top priority this offseason. Of all the players they had to sign he was easily going to be the most important and most expensive. Now the deal is done – and we know for how long AND how much – the rest of the Isles summer business can be revealed.
New York Islanders sign Adam Pelech to an eight-year deal
The term of the contract is long. Eight years is the maximum length any team can offer a player. But at 26 years old (he turns 27 on August 16), the deal will keep Pelech with the Islanders until 35. And that’s really all that matters.
Under the tutelage of Barry Trotz, Adam Pelech has developed into an elite shutdown defenseman. The skills were always there (it’s why Garth Snow protected him in the Vegas expansion draft), but with Trotz behind the bench, Pelech truly blossomed.
Shortly after the deal was done, Elliotte Friedman tweeted that the deal carried a $5.75 million AAV. That might seem high to some but it really isn’t.
AAV $5.75M https://t.co/wOKFLqXrgc
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) August 6, 2021
Remember, Pelech has been on what is certainly one of the best contracts in the NHL. The elite shutdown defenseman has carried a $1.6 million cap hit. That’s some incredible value for the Islanders.
I know that a while ago I figured Pelech would sign for $4.5 million but that was before all these defensemen signed for big money. That easily pushed Pelech’s value up. But that $5.75 million deal falls right within the $4-$6 million window.
Floodgates will open
So now with Pelech signed and the AAV known the rest of the Islanders signings should be announced shortly. That’s Casey Cizikas, Kyle Palmieri, Zach Parise, Travis Zajac. All should be announced shortly with the Isles main piece of business done.
The quiet Isles offseason is now over. Get ready because the signings are coming.