The New York Islanders signed Tom Kuhnhackl to a one year deal on June 2nd, 2018. Kuhnhackl is the exact player that the Islanders expected him to be. He was never supposed to be a 20+ goal scorer or record 60 points. Kuhnhackl is a solid 3rd line forward. His contract does end this year, though, and the Islanders will have to make some decisions to let guys like Kuhnhackl leave if they want to retain their stars. Should the Islanders resign Tom Kuhnhackl, or will they let him leave and use the cap space to resign key players?
Why Kuhnhackl Should be Resigned
Tom Kuhnhackl is a stud when it comes to playoff performances. Islanders fans call Jordan Eberle “Playoff Ebs” because he’s great in the playoffs. There is an argument to have a “Playoff Kuhnhackl.” In the two games he played against the Florida Panthers, Kuhnhackl was nothing short of sensational. The 3rd line was one of the best, if not the best line of the series.
It all started due to the forechecking of that line. Kuhnhackl was always in the right spot, putting pressure on the Panthers. Kuhnhackl also had that beautiful through the legs assist to Matt Martin. Barry Trotz knows that players like Tom Kuhnhackl, Cole Bardreau, and Derrick Brassard (in small doses) are crucial to a contending team.
Why Kuhnhackl Shouldn’t be Resigned
Kieffer Bellows will be ready to play any day now, and the Islanders have no spot for him on the roster. The same thing goes for Oliver Wahlstrom, Otto Koviula, and eventually Simon Holmstrom. If the Islanders want to play their younger guys, they will have to get rid of players like Kuhnhackl. But, Kuhnhackl is not a regular in the lineup. Fans might say, “keep Kuhnhackl as a healthy scratch, and when someone gets hurt, insert him into the lineup.” That’s a fantastic idea; there’s no reason to get rid of a good player if you can keep him. Kuhnhackl also doesn’t have a big cap hit, so the Islanders would be able to resign him for cheap and resign their more prominent players.
Conclusion
This decision will not make or break the Islanders. But, I think it would be a dumb idea to get rid of a good player. Kuhnhackl’s contract (if resigned) would probably see about two years for $950k. It’s a solid contract for a solid player; Kuhnhackl deserves it. I don’t see Trotz letting Kuhnhackl walk whatsoever.