The 2020 NHL offseason is crawling along, and the New York Islanders still have a lot of players that need to sign contracts. After Devon Toews was traded to the Colorado Avalanche for two second round picks, the two main restricted free agents the Islanders need to lock up are Mathew Barzal and Ryan Pulock. In terms of unrestricted free agents, the Islanders have to pick and choose who will stay and who will hit the free agent market. Derick Brassard is an unrestricted free agent who will possibly be re-signed, but due to the salary cap crunch, this article will only focus on Matt Martin and Andy Greene. Keep in mind, the Islanders may not be able to afford all of these players unless they move out some salary. Here are our projections for the contracts players can sign on the Island.

Islanders Contracts: UFAs

Matt Martin (Projection): 2 years, $2M AAV

Matt Martin bleeds blue and orange. If both parties can agree, there is absolutely no reason why Martin wouldn’t stay on the Island with a fourth-line role. If the Islanders were to lose Martin, it would take a jab at the heart and soul of the team.

With the flat salary cap, players likely won’t sign long-term deals, especially bottom-six forwards that aren’t considered to be “top players.” Martin shouldn’t ask for more than $2 million annually. He will likely make $1-2 million due to his physicality, and while grinders generally don’t make that much, Martin is one of the leading hitters in NHL history since they began keeping the stat. The same can be said about his linemate, Cal Clutterbuck.

In Vegas, Ryan Reaves is making $1.75 million for the next two years. While Reaves is more of a fighter and Martin is more of a hitter, they play similar roles for their respective squads. Given these factors, a two-year contract at $2 million per year makes sense for a player of Martin’s caliber and significance to the organization.

Andy Greene (Projection): 1 year, $1.5M AAV

With Devon Toews heading to Colorado, Lou Lamoriello will likely re-sign Andy Greene to a short-term contract. Greene, 37, was acquired by the Islanders via trade at the 2020 Trade Deadline for a second-round pick. While he is getting up there in age, he is still solid defensively and is more than capable of filling a top-six defensive role on an NHL team. He is also a good leader, and can act as a mentor to up and coming players such as Noah Dobson and Sebastian Aho.

However, due to his age, he will likely sign for no longer than one year and he shouldn’t be terribly expensive. He won’t go for league minimum as he is a serviceable NHL defenseman, but it shouldn’t be difficult to negotiate with him. $1.5 million seems like it would work for both sides as Greene is a player who may not necessarily play all 82 games next season, but act as a stable defensive presence and a leader in the locker room.

Islanders Contracts: RFAs

Mathew Barzal (Projection): 2 years, $8.5M AAV

Islander fans want Mathew Barzal locked up long-term, but that would be extremely difficult due to the flat cap. As a restricted free agent, the only other option for the Islanders #1 center is a bridge deal until teams are given more “wiggle room” financially.

Mathew Barzal is a star player and the best player on the New York Islanders. He is one of the most dynamic players in the game, and has incredible speed, hockey IQ, and playmaking abilities. However, he led the league in turnovers, doesn’t shoot enough, and can be defensively irresponsible. As good as he is, he isn’t a superstar yet, and his contract should stay below $10 million annually as a result.

Given his value and the financial issues the Islanders are dealing with, a two-year, $17 million contract would fit the interests of both sides. Barzal would get paid handsomely, and the Islanders can have time to move some salary before it is time to attempt to re-sign him to a longer-term deal. While a bridge deal may not be ideal, it is the most logical at this point in time unless Barzal and his agent are willing to take that same kind of money for a longer term.

Ryan Pulock (Projection): 5 years, $5.5M AAV

Overall, Ryan Pulock is the best defender on the Islanders. Him and Adam Pelech on the first defensive pairing is a match made in heaven. Pulock is decent defensively, has one of the hardest slap shots in the NHL, and has developed excellent chemistry with Pelech. He can play on the power play, penalty kill, and all situations. Pulock is a guy the Islanders have to lock up at all costs.

Ryan Pulock has found a home on the Island, working with Barry Trotz and being a first-pairing defenseman in the NHL. The fit is perfect and he would likely be willing to stay for a long time. Like Devon Toews did, Ryan Pulock filed for arbitration. His arbitration hearing is set to take place on November 6.

While there is no easy way to project what an arbitrator will come up with, Pulock’s value is estimated to be in the $5-6 million range. That contract is fair for Pulock, and would be able to keep him around for the next half-decade. Now the question is whether or not the Islanders can afford to bring back all of these players.

John Smark