The New York Islanders announced on Wednesday morning that they have agreed to a one-year, $3.3 million deal with defenseman Calvin de Haan, just hours before his arbitration hearing.
Both parties seemed awfully far apart in original contract negotiations leading up to this morning’s signing.
As recent as Monday, de Haan was asking for $5 million per year while the Islanders were offering just $1.95 million, per Hockey Night in Canada’s Elliotte Friedman.
The 26-year-old is coming off his most productive season in the NHL, recording five goals, 20 assists and a plus-15 rating, all career highs.
He should expect to have an even larger role this season after the team dealt Travis Hamonic to the Calgary Flames. He’ll likely play behind the first pairing of Johnny Boychuk and Nick Leddy, working with either Dennis Seidenberg or Thomas Hickey.
