Confirmed Signing with Link: [NYI] Adam Pelech signs extension (8 years, $5.75M AAV)

[burstnbloom]

5.75M a steal? Is he a Norris candidate that I am not aware?

Uh...should be?

 

[hockeyisles]

In a world where both Werenski and Seth Jones are being paid almost twice as much this is a steal. It’s not like either of them has won the Norris trophy. Saying you need to win the Norris for this to be a steal is ridiculous

 

[hunter7isles]

That is really hard to say. So much of what a player can do depends upon fit these days. Even the greatest players. Pelech plays with as part of a pairing that communicates automatically. Pelech-Pulock have been together for years, and it shows.

NYI's most recent Barzal memories are of him playing with a giant hole offensively at LW. He is a puck distributor. That was going to hurt him, and it did.

It is really an unfair comparison. But what it also shows is that Pelech's contract is only part one - NYI have to start working on Pulock's extension.

I still would argue that Pelech is better because he is a more finished product. Barzal still can be too careless (you could argue, of course, that it is because he tries to do too much with the puck because of the lack of top winger). There are times even when Trotz has benched him. Age and maturity are big factors here, so I would argue right now, Pelech is the better player, even when taking your points as very fair. Again, Isles will not take the next step unless Barzal becomes their best player - I do not think he is quite there yet.

 

[burstnbloom]

It's a good contract, think people are a bit over the top on how good. It's a Lindell contract who is a comp.

hmm

 

[saintunspecified]

It's standard not only for hfboards, but hockey media in general. NYI made conference finals with no consensus top-10 players at any position. Barzal? Varlamov? Pelech? There are arguments, but none are consensus top 10. Likely, Pelech wouldn't be considered a top-25 D either on hfboards, or in hockey media. They're wrong. I don't know if he's top-10, but he's in the conversation.

And it's no mistake that the people who understand his value other than NYI fans are... Penguins fans, Bruins fans, etc. They know.

 

[JeffreyLFC]

Uh...should be?

View attachment 459681

And what does all that mean? It seems more like gibirish from baseball analytics.

 

[Siludin]

I liked what I saw from Pelech. He passed my eye test. I wasn't sure if everyone was seeing the same thing.
I had a feeling he was going to get a big contract, and HFBoards posters - who usually believe all defensive defensemen are bottom pairing players and should never be paid more than $2m per year - would be ragging the Islanders for a good signing.

 

[Siludin]

And what does all that mean? It seems more like gibirish from baseball analytics.

Which part?
WAR is wins above replacement.
The rest is pretty cut & dry

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

...Highway Robbery by Captain Lou yet again...steal of a deal...I wonder if Toronto is still happy they let Captain Lou go so Dubas could overpay everyone??...

 

[Spring in Fialta]

CaUsE pOiNtS

With all due respect to Pelech, but...yes? Points matter? Has there ever been an era where two-way defensemen weren't the one's winning the Norris? Closest I can think of is Rod Langway going back-to-back.

 

[frankieboy]

With all due respect to Pelech, but...yes? Points matter? Has there ever been an era where two-way defensemen weren't the one's winning the Norris? Closest I can think of is Rod Langway going back-to-back.

Maybe that has to change.

 

[saintunspecified]

With all due respect to Pelech, but...yes? Points matter? Has there ever been an era where two-way defensemen weren't the one's winning the Norris? Closest I can think of is Rod Langway going back-to-back.

Points totals for D-men matter less when power plays are fewer.

Consider that an era of few power plays, NYI games have FAR fewer than most.

Even strength play is magnified.

Also, Pelech has a little bit of Chara in him. His offensive game is growing. You can see he has more flair than he typically shows. I suspect he's being encouraged to use it more.

 

[PB37]

You seem to be in the minority........

........wait, no, you're the only one thinking this.

EDIT: Wait!! You've got company now!! JeffreyLFC has entered the game!!

There's other people that feel the same way. No need go get all up in arms about it, it's just an opinion. He's a good D and upper class defensive dman but 5.75 seems pretty fair for what he brings ( and what he lacks ). If you think it's a steal, cool.

 

[Spring in Fialta]

Maybe that has to change.

That's dumb. Offense matters. It's not like we're talking about the DeAngelo and Gustafsson types winning the Norris.

 

[GOilers88]

Seems like a really good deal. Dude is an awesome defenseman.

 

[Pure Slaughter Value]

It's an excellent deal. He's been our most important defenseman the last two years. He and Pulock make an excellent pair and I can see Pulock getting a similar deal...maybe a little more because of the potential to put up more points but it won't be significantly more.

I hate contracts over five years but if you're going to get a lower AAV for a player whose skillset isn't predicated on speed or offense I can deal with it. "Cerebral" hasn't been used in this thread but that's pretty much his game.

He's just a tier above most defensemen when it comes to reading the play, reacting to changes, just a tremendously intelligent player. Even in the few times he was beat in the playoffs he shot a look to both his teammates and his opponents that seemed to say "Enjoy it, because that is never happening again".

Just a great throwback, defense-first player.

I am surprised he didn't ask for more, he was making peanuts while getting Norris votes (well, a Norris vote lol) with barely a smidgeon of offense.

 

[JeffreyLFC]

NYI fans are a very sensitive/insecure bunch. I just questioned the term steal and now I am targeted as a hater of that deal. Which is 100% wrong.

 

[Spring in Fialta]

Points totals for D-men matter less when power plays are fewer.

Consider that an era of few power plays, NYI games have FAR fewer than most.

Even strength play is magnified.

Also, Pelech has a little bit of Chara in him. His offensive game is growing. You can see he has more flair than he typically shows. I suspect he's being encouraged to use it more.

Well, if his offensive game grows, hopefully he'll get more Norris talk. And if power plays are fewer for everybody, I don't see how that affects how points should be taken into accounts. I don't think Pelech gets marks because his team obtains fewer power plays.

 

[denis5]

Uh...should be?

View attachment 459681

Unfortunately, the Norris has devolved over the years to an award that looks first at points, with too little regard to how well a given player actually plays defense. He's a cornerstone defenseman that's a must have on any team that actually wants to win something. He'll never win a Norris because he'll never put up enough points, but that's fine -- he's more valuable than many that have won the award.

 

[Hunn]

If you poll Isles fans about who is their MVP on ice since their resurgence during the last 3 years – good chance Pelech will come out 1st or 2nd (after Barzal). Having him locked at 5.75M$ is insane.

He is also still at the right side of the development curve. I won't be surprised if his point production takes a surge next season. He's already shown some moves that prompted Isles fans to talk about putting him on PP.

 

[amnesiac]

thats quite hefty for a player whos thriving defensively under a defensive coach

 

[saintunspecified]

Well, if his offensive game grows, hopefully he'll get more Norris talk. And if power plays are fewer for everybody, I don't see how that affects how points should be taken into accounts. I don't think Pelech gets marks because his team obtains fewer power plays.

If you take fewer penalties, you get fewer powerplays. If you don't like it, take it up with the league. It sounds counterintuitive, but it is simply true.

We're going to have to see what happens. But the way things look right now, he is going to get some PP time this year.

 

[Spring in Fialta]

Unfortunately, the Norris has devolved over the years to an award that looks first at points, with too little regard to how well a given player actually plays defense. He's a cornerstone defenseman that's a must have on any team that actually wants to win something. He'll never win a Norris because he'll never put up enough points, but that's fine -- he's more valuable than many that have won the award.

Who won the Norris and didn't play defense well?

 

[Wallet Inspector]

5.75 for a top pair D. Really good for the Islanders

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Excellent signing. Isles fans can attest he is the Most Valuable Defenceman on the Isles in the Trotz and Lou era. Very low AVV considering recent contract signings. 8 years is a great reward for a player that gave a team discount to stay. Optics is clear to the team and won't rock the boat. Had he hit the open market next season, he would have surely gotten more than 5.75M per for 7 years. Good for Adam, and good for the Isles. Bought into Lou's internal cap structure for the Isles. Great job by the 2 time GM of the year Lamoriello. Pelech is arguably the most valuable Islander they can ill afford to play without.