I suppose virtually no post here in the next week should go without an arena referendum mention, so we'll add the latest interesting links on that matter at the end. But the body of this post is a chart on the Islanders' 50-contract (actually less) list as best I can compile it.
Most know about, and invariably ask about where the Islanders stand on, the NHL CBA's 50-contract limit. In English -- which is decidedly more brief than CBA legalese -- NHL teams can carry a maximum of 50 pro contracts at one time. That includes two-way contracts but excludes AHL-only contracts (e.g., what Trevor Gillies was on up until January 2010) and NHL contracts for players who are loaned to Europe or who are still in juniors. For example, if Kirill Kabanov or Nino Niederreiter are returned to their junior teams, they won't count against the 50-contract limit this season.
Finally, remember that most teams do not enter the season at the 50-contract limit, because injuries and changing needs have a way of demanding flexibility. Generally you want to enter the season with some wiggle room. Because there's (almost) no getting out of a contract once the season starts. The list of the Islanders' NHL contracts is below:
Note: This is from personal research. Cap hits are from CapGeek. If I've missed someone, please let me know.
Player | Pos. | Acquired | Signed | Cap Hit (NHL) | |
1 | Rick DiPietro | g | Draft 2000 | 2021 | $4.50M |
2 | Michael Grabner | LW | Waivers-Tallon | 2016 | $3.00M |
3 | Kyle Okposo | RW | Draft 2006 | 2016 | $2.80M |
4 | Andrew MacDonald | d | Draft 2006 |
2014 | $.550M |
5 | Calvin de Haan | d | Draft 2009 | 2014 | $1.47M |
6 | Nino Niederreiter | W | Draft 2010 | 2014/5* | $2.80M |
7 | Kirill Kabanov | W | Draft 2010 | 2014/5* | $.900M |
8 | Matt Moulson | LW | FA 2009 | 2014 | $3.10M |
9 | Matt Donovan | d | Draft 2008 |
2014 | $.875M |
10 | Aaron Ness | d | Draft 2008 |
2014 | $.875M |
11 | Anders Nilsson | g | Draft 2009 | 2014 | $1.75M |
12 | Casey Cizikas | C | Draft 2009 |
2014 | $.900M |
13 | Marty Reasoner | C | FA 2011 | 2013 | $1.35M |
14 | Trent Hunter | RW | Trade | 2013 | $2.00M |
15 | Mark Streit | d | FA 2008 | 2013 | $4.10M |
16 | Travis Hamonic | d | Draft 2008 | 2013 | $.875M |
17 | Kevin Poulin | g | Draft 2008 |
2013 | $.892M |
18 | David Ullstrom | C | Draft 2008 |
2013 | $.892M |
19 | Anton Klementyev | d | Draft 2009 | 2013 | $.823M |
20 | Blake Comeau | W | Draft 2004 |
2012/3** | |
21 | Josh Bailey | F | Draft 2008 | RFA*** | |
22 | John Tavares | C | Draft 2009 | 2012 | $3.75M |
23 | Frans Nielsen | C | Draft 2002 |
2012 | $.525M |
24 | Mark Eaton | d | FA 2010 | 2012 | $2.50M |
25 | Mike Mottau | d | FA 2010 | 2012 | $.800M |
26 | Milan Jurcina | d | FA 2010 | 2012 | $1.60M |
27 | P.A. Parenteau | LW | FA 2010 | 2012 | $1.25M |
28 | Trevor Gillies | W | Prom. 2010 | 2012 | $.625M |
29 | Matt Martin | W | Draft 2008 |
2012 | $.852M |
30 | Micheal Haley | F | Promo 2009 |
2012 | |
31 | Ty Wishart | d | Trade 2010 | 2012 | $.803M |
32 | Dylan Reese | d | Trade 2010 | 2012 | $.635M |
33 | Mikko Koskinen | g | Draft 2009 | 2012 | $1.15M |
34 | Al Montoya | g | Trade 2011 | 2012 | $.601M |
35 | Evgeni Nabokov | g | Waivers-CBA | 2012 | $.570M |
36 | Mark Katic | d | Draft 2007 | 2012 | $.875M |
37 | Rhett Rakhshani | W | Draft 2006 |
2012 | $.850M |
38 | Justin DiBenedetto | F | Draft 2008 |
2012 | $.508M |
39 | Tony Romano | F | Trade 2010 |
2012 | $.508M |
40 | Tim Wallace | W | FA 2011 | 2012 | $.700M |
41 | Trevor Frischmon | W | FA 2011 | 2012 | $.615M |
42 | Tomas Marcinko | W | Draft 2006 |
2012 | $.605M |
43 | Jeremy Colliton | W | Draft 2003 |
2012 | $.600M |
44 | Tyler McNeely | F | FA 2011 | 2012 | $.525M |
*Eligible to be returned to juniors, which would "slide" contract forward one year
**Arbitration could dictate one- or two-year deal
***RFA...next contract certain but length up in the air
Finally, players like Haley, Gillies and McNeely began on AHL deals and were later signed to NHL deals
In the above list, for "how acquired" I used the date and/or method they first entered the Isles organization. So returnees like Colliton and extensions like Nielsen or Okposo are listed under their first entrance rather than the date their current contract was signed.
What this list tells us is the Islanders have room to add a few contracts if they see fit; even if I've omitted one or two (again, let me know if you are aware of an NHL contract, which means at minimum a two-way deal, that is not on the list. Players like Benn Olsen and Brett Gallant are currently on AHL-only contracts).
Links
- Nick Giglia, a valued researcher and advocate of the old Lighthouse Project, pens his endorsement of the referendum with what I think is his best post yet.
- Another endorsement and Long Island commentary, B.D. Gallof style.
- DP's Knees asking opposing Democrats about those lofty revenue expectations they once had.
- Would it surprise you to hear the referendum and what comes after will be embroiled in politics? I know -- not on Long Island! [SNY Point Blank]
- Pro Hockey Talk on the Wang ultimatum.
- Another wild Newsday poll: Mangano is liked. Pay no attention to the purse.
- Also at Pro Hockey Talk: Obviously, refs hate the Islanders. That is the only conclusion.
- There are plenty more Islanders autograph signings yet to come this summer. Here's 7th Woman on Andrew MacDonald's.
- Awesome, awesome stuff on the old Ace Bailey injury. Remember my dad telling me about this, even though he was too young and about to be invaded in World War II when it all happened.
- This goalie ranking list puts the Islanders at #5, whether through volume or goalie coaches I'm not sure. Just own it, man.
Your Moment of Diversion: Double-Bag It
Spinal Tap remember Freddie Mercury: