Island analysis reveals a high incidence of unfavorable contracts among locals, with Mathieu Darche emerging as a key figure in the shift away from such deals.
The New York Islanders find themselves near the bottom of the league in terms of spending efficiency on player contracts, according to Dom Luszczyszyn's contract efficiency ranking by The Athletic. With a overall efficiency grade of "C", the Islanders are lagging behind most NHL clubs, a reflection of a history of costly cap mismanagement.
David Rittich and Tony DeAngelo, both signed to one-year contracts worth $1 million and $1.8 million respectively, are among the new additions to the team. However, the Islanders' poor contract efficiency is largely due to the seven-year contracts of forwards Pierre Engvall and defenseman Scott Mayfield. Both players have five years remaining on their respective contracts.
Engvall, a forward for the Islanders, was benched multiple times last season and was demoted to the AHL. Mayfield, a defenseman for the team, battled injuries and is projected to be a third-pairing defenseman in 2025-26 and beyond.
In contrast, contracts signed under new GM Mathieu Darche have been more efficient, with six out of seven contracts earning grades of "B-" or better. Notable signings include Jonathan Drouin, who has a two-year contract worth $4 million, and Maxim Shabanov, whom Darche won during free agency.
The calculation for each team's contract efficiency is then put together to determine which teams are spending money most efficiently. The Islanders, unfortunately, rank 29th out of 32 teams, a position they share with teams like the Ottawa Senators and the Arizona Coyotes.
In a bid to improve the team's prospects, Darche traded away Noah Dobson for two first-round draft picks and Emil Heineman. Heineman, selected with the No. 1 overall pick, has a two-year contract worth $1.1 million. Simon Holmstrom and Maxim Tsyplakov, both signed to two-year contracts worth $3.6 million and $2.3 million respectively, also join the roster.
As the Islanders continue to navigate the complexities of NHL contract management, they aim to learn from their past mistakes and strive for a more efficient use of their salary cap resources in the future.
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