New York Islanders Off-Season: Islanders Extend Calvin de Haan, Avoid Arbitration

On 7/31, Elliotte Friedman wrote, “DeHaan (NYI): team offer -- $1.95M...Player ask: $5M. Still time to settle.” We all know de Haan is worth more than $1.95M, especially on the open market for Defensemen, but a business is a business. de Haan was set for an arbitration hearing today. Not anymore.

The Islanders announced Calvin de Haan agreed to terms on a one-year, $3.3M deal (Staple). In his 4^th NHL season, de Haan put up highs in points (25), goals (5) and assists (20) while playing in a healthy and productive, 2016-17 campaign for New York.

"Calvin is a home-grown product of the organization and has developed into one of our top defenseman during his time with the organization," Islanders President and General Manager Garth Snow said. "He plays important minutes for our club and we're excited to have him back for one more year." 

de Haan was the Isles 12^th selection, 1^st round in the Tavares 2009 draft year. Since then, he has tallied 271 NHL games (11 & 58 for 69 points) along with 3 assists in 16 playoff appearances from the Isles blue line.

de Haan has been guilty for mistakes in inopportune moments over his his first few seasons while becoming an NHL regular on defense, but to me, he has gotten better each and every year. Beyond the stat sheet, de Haan has become a more comfortable and smarter blue liner, and that showed big-time last year with 2^nd highest points and assists totals on the team and a high ranking NHL stat (4^th in blocked shots - 190) recognition. He's now eligible to go into the 2017-18 off-season as a UFA if not locked up prior to July 1st.

Per B.D. Gallof, “de Haan's 1 year deal at 3.3 keeps +3.65 million in cap room for this year, and a whopping $35.5 next yr as players go off contracts #isles”

de Haan was awarded a Silver Medal with Team Canada at the 2017 World Championships to go along with his 2010 and 2011 WJC Silver Medals.

On 7/27, the Islanders announced a One-Year, Two-Way Deal for F, Connor Jones.

Jones got noticed in the system with Bridgeport after his 4 season, 129 point run (49 & 80) at Quinnipiac University. With the AHL Sound Tigers, Jones had 5 and 14 for 19 points in 58 games and had a reputation for a hard-nosed, relentless work ethic. 

Jones finished the season and filled in well with the Islanders, helping them with a late play off push that ultimately fell short. He was a part of the Isles strong 5-0 finish to the regular season in April.

Isles Notes:

Per TSN, “John Tavaresdoubles down on staying in New York” 

Adam Pelech, "I'm really excited to be part of this team moving forward."

Per Jim Baumbach, “Don't expect comments by Isles, Oak View or Wilpons' Sterling Project Development re Belmont for while. They're studying RFP & strategizing.”

Per Robert Brodsky, “State seeks proposals to develop Belmont Park”

Per @garik16, Light House Hockey, “How the Islanders Performed in the Neutral Zone Under Doug Weight”