New York Islanders Halloween Salary Cap Dilemma
The New York Islanders are one of the best teams in hockey and with Halloween now behind us, that is still clear. However, they still have a salary cap dilemma, one that could greatly inhibit their future.
An Overview of the Islanders
While children dressed up in costumes and trick-or-treated in a socially distanced fashion, Lou Lamoriello had his hands full with the Islanders many offseason priorities.
After trading Devon Toews to the Colorado Avalanche for two second-round picks, the Islanders need to re-sign restricted free agents Mathew Barzal and Ryan Pulock, as well as unrestricted free agents Matt Martin and Andy Greene.
Derick Brassard and Tom Kuhnhackl, two secondary concerns, also need contracts.
The New York Islanders Halloween Problem
The New York Islanders have $8,905,833 in salary cap space.
Mat Barzal himself will command more than that on a long-term deal. However, the Islanders can use a bridge-deal, especially during this unprecedented era, to keep a short-term contract at around $7 million per year.
That only leaves pennies to sign Ryan Pulock, as well as Matt Martin, Andy Greene and any other free agents the Islanders are interested in.
Pulock elected to file for arbitration and his hearing is scheduled for Nov. 6. He signed a two-year, $4 million bridge deal in 2018 and is due for a major raise.
On a one- or two-year deal in arbitration, Pulock will most likely receive over $5 million. Therefore, the New York Islanders must find a way to clear salary cap space and solve this spooky Halloween dilemma.
What Can the Islanders Do?
Lou Lamoriello and the Islanders have many options to solve this issue.
The easiest is clearing salary cap. Johnny Boychuk, Leo Komarov and Thomas Hickey have two-years remaining on their contracts and would help Lamoriello sign Barzal and Pulock.
However, moving those players will not be easy. If it was, the Islanders would have done it already.
Interestingly, Nick Leddy reportedly had trade interest, but Barry Trotz and the Islanders did not want to move the 29-year-old defenseman and his $5.5 million-a-year contract.
That leaves another solution: the long-term injured reserve (LTIR). If and when the Islanders go over the cap limit to sign their free agents, they can get creative.
If Andrew Ladd fails a physical, his $5.5 million contract could be placed on the LTIR and the Islanders can go over the cap by that much. The same would go for Boychuk Komarov, Hickey and any other injured player. They could also send the group to Bridgeport, creating over $3 million is space.
While that is not an ideal situation, the New York Islanders must do something — Halloween has passed and the season is a few months away. No matter what is it, Lamoriello will ensure Barzal and Pulock are skating for the blue and orange next season.
