The New York Islanders need to clear up cap space, but Lou Lamoriello wants to keep the team together as he recently stated in a press conference. Derrick Brassard is not what he once was. But, no one expected him to be in his prime when he signed last year.
Brassard will be a cheap resign, but the Isles don’t have money to spare. If the Isles can resign all their other guys and then Brassard, it makes sense. This begs a question: What would a Derrick Brassard contract look like?
Salary
Derrick Brassard had a decent year offensively this past season. Brassard recorded 10 goals and 22 assists as he transitioned from 2nd line to 3rd line to healthy scratched over and over again. Derrick Brassard had a hell of a series against the Flyers. He demonstrated the very essence of being a veteran on a young team making a deep run.
I was very impressed by his defense all year long as well. If Brassard gets resigned, there’s no doubt that he’s either a 3rd line winger or the 13th forward. With that being said, it shouldn’t take too much to resign Brassard. I believe it will take $1.5-2 million to retain him. Not an expensive contract at all, but the Isles don’t have much cap room so it’s a risk.
Length
This deal is bad if it’s 2 years long. No way can Lou Lamoriello make Oliver Wahlstrom, or Kieffer Bellows, or Simon Holmstrom wait another year. One year for the veteran makes sense for everyone. It keeps the French-Canadien chemistry strong for another year and guarantees one of the young guys that 2021 is their time to shine.
Lamoriello isn’t void of intelligence, Islanders fans don’t have to worry. Oh, and don’t say he prioritized Brassard over Barzal or Toews or Pulock.