Islanders Sign Ross Johnston To A Four Year Extension

Um, what? The New York Islanders have announced via their website that they agreed to a four-year contract extension with Ross Johnston.  Johnston has played 87 career games with the Isles, over six seasons and has 15 points (7 goals, 8 assists).

He’s played in one of the Islanders six games this season and in that game received 5:50 of ice time. Last year, he played in 12 games and was averaging 8:44 of ice time. He has one assist over that span.

According to Chris Johnston, the AAV on the deal is $1.1 million. So four years, $4.4 million over the course of the contract.

Guys, I’m going to be honest here, Lou Lamoriello broke my brain with this one. For the second time, he’s signed Ross Johnston to a four-year contract. This has to be the first time in NHL history that a player with 87 career games has signed not one but two deals of four years.

It’s not that Ross Johnston can’t be a fourth-liner at the NHL level. He can, the issue is that the guy that he’s a poor man’s version of (Matt Martin) is still under contract for this year and then two more years following.

We’ve seen what the fourth line looks like with one of the guys missing, is this going to be Cal Clutterbuck’s replacement for next year? I really doubt it. You’d have to imagine that Lou Lamoriello finds a way to bring Clutter back for at least the remainder of the Martin contract.

Truly, one from the clouds today from Lou Lamoriello a deal that nobody saw coming as only he can do. An extra forward/AHL player on a four-year extension? Again, I’m not sure I understand the logic with this one but clearly, Lou has a plan.

In his career, Ross Johnston has fought 14 times. Here he is taking down Tom Wilson. Hopefully, we can see that a few more times over the next four years.