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The Islanders have agreed to terms on a four-year contract with defenseman Adam Pelech. The AAV of the deal is $1.6 million.
The 22-year-old Pelech scored three goals and seven assists in 44 games last season. The team unexpectedly protected him in last month's expansion draft. We now know why.
Pelech's deal leaves defenseman Calvin de Haan as the lone Islanders restricted free agent. His arbitration hearing is scheduled for August 2. General manager Garth Snow should know what the market price is for de Haan by looking at what the Pittsburgh Penguins gave defenseman Brian Dumoulin today, locking him up for six years with a $4.1 AAV.
When de Haan signs, it gives head coach Doug Weight eight defensemen. Ryan Pulock is the only one who is still on his entry-level contract. I can imagine the third pairing becoming a rotating door with Thomas Hickey, Dennis Seidenberg and Scott Mayfield, with Adam Pelech and hopefully Pulock playing regularly. Pulock cannot begin the season in Bridgeport simply because of his contract.
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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