The All-Bargain Team

Dec 29, 2013; Saint Paul, MN, USA; New York Islanders forward

(91) against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Islanders defeated the Wild 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

John Tavares

The Islanders’ captain is signed through the 2017/18 season at a paltry $5,500,000 cap hit.  The 23-year old has already been a Hart Finalist and has seen his game improve each season since his rookie campaign.  He was on pace for his best season statistically before a knee injury at the Olympics knocked him out for the remaining 20 games of the season.  He’s been a 30 goal scorer and a 40 goal season could very well be in play this season as the Islanders brought in additional depth which should help alleviate some of Tavares’ burden of playing against the opposition’s best defense every night.

Tavares’ contract looks even more appealing when you consider that players such as David Bolland, Derick Brassard, and Mike Richards all carry similar cap hits to Tavares.  No doubt Tavares will be in line for a major pay raise in four years, but for now, he and his cap hit are good enough for center duties on the All-Bargain Team.