Two Islanders players are asking for the moon for their next contract
The New York Islanders have had a lot of success since Barry Trotz and Lou Lamoriello took the helm of the team in 2018. Eliminated for a second straight year in the conference finals by the Tampa Bay Lightning, they will have several big shoes to fill this summer if they want to eventually reach a first Stanley Cup final since 1984.
Center Casey Cizikas and defenseman Adam Pelech, who are both key pieces of this team, will become unrestricted and restricted free agents, respectively, when the free agent market opens on Wednesday. While offering them a contract extension is obviously one of general manager Lou Lamoriello's priorities, negotiations are shaping up to be more difficult than expected.
According to information obtained by The Athletic, the salary demands of both individuals would be quite impressive. Indeed, while Cizikas would like a salary of five million dollars per year, Pelech would ask for nothing less than seven million on average per season!
Drafted in the fourth round (92nd overall) by the Islanders in 2009, Cizikas has been one of the most physical fourth pairings in the NHL for the past few years alongside Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck, and has played a crucial role in the Islanders' power play. His best season offensively came during the 2018-19 campaign, in which he had 20 goals and 33 points in 73 games.
Pelech, meanwhile, is a defensive-minded defenseman who regularly plays to the left of Ryan Pulock on Barry Trotz's first defensive pair. The 26-year-old had 14 points, including four goals, in 56 games during the 2020-21 season, his fifth with the Islanders.
In summary, despite their importance in Trotz's system, both men are still role players, which is why it would be very surprising if Lamoriello agreed to their salary demands. If they really want to stay in Long Island, they will probably have to lower their ambitions.
To be continued...
