Logan Stanley might be the best free agent signing of the offseason

The New York Islanders made a bit of an interesting move when they signed Logan Stanley days before the start of the regular season.

The move seemed like a depth move, considering how good the Islanders’ blue line looks. But things change in a hurry, and the towering defenseman now looks like the best free-agent signing of the offseason.

The loss of Alexander Romanov for the season opened an immediate spot for Stanley to step in and give the Isles some much-needed stability. But beyond stability, the veteran blueliner has become the ideal partner for top defenseman Matthew Schaefer.

The 28-year-old Stanley has done well to patrol the ice, keeping much of the heat off Schaefer. His influence has kept the opposition honest, allowing the Isles’ rising star to do his thing on both sides of the puck.

Yes, Logan Stanley has provided much more than the Islanders could have envisioned when they signed him. But what makes this signing even more fascinating is the fact that the Islanders landed him for $1.5 million this season.

No, Stanley won’t score 100 points or factor into the Norris Trophy conversation. But getting a top-pairing defenseman for under $2 million a season makes Mathieu Darche look like a genius.

Logan Stanley is ideal fit for Peter DeBoer’s system

Peter DeBoer’s system, while technically a defense-first approach, is much more balanced. The system relies on everyone playing responsibly on both sides of the puck and pretty much capitalizing on the errors that other teams make.

That much was apparent on Saturday night in Toronto. The Isles played with 10 forwards after losing Matias Maccelli and Calum Ritchie in the first period. And despite the noticeably shorthanded lineup, the Isles pulled out a 4-1 win against the Maple Leafs. But the final score might overlook just how well Logan Stanley and the Islanders defense played.

The 6’7” blueliner skated for 22:17, delivering two hits, while keeping Toronto’s offensive stars in check. Stanley’s ice time was second on the team behind Schaefer, and it made a significant difference on the night.

Even though Stanley’s size makes him stand out, he’s the kind of player who sort of blends into the game. And that’s hardly a bad thing. When things work perfectly well, you hardly notice them.

That’s what Logan Stanley means to the Islanders. Most fans don’t really notice him because he doesn’t make mistakes and plays his position reliably well.

That’s the perfect recipe for the Islanders, as they look to regain their foothold in the Metro Division.

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