New York Islanders Sign Restricted Free Agent Ryan Strome
New York Islanders Signed 23-Year-Old Restricted Free Agent Ryan Strome to a 2-Year $5 Million Dollar Contract
New York Islanders have signed 23-year-old restricted free agent Ryan Strome to a two-year $5 million dollar deal ($2.5 million/year) according to Arthur Staple of Newsday.
The bridge deal should come as no surprise given Strome’s disappointing 2015-16 campaign. In his third NHL season, Ryan saw his point total nearly cut in half, which included a short conditioning stint down in AHL Bridgeport.
Arthur Staple broke the news via twitter:
#Isles sign Ryan Strome to a two-year, $5 million deal.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) September 20, 2016
Resume:
– CHL Top Prospects Game, OHL Second All-Star Team (2010-11)
– U20 World Juniors (Canada) Bronze Medal (2011-12)
– AHL All-Rookie Team, AHL All-Star Game, AHL November Rookie of the Month (2013-14)
Ryan Strome, 23, was originally selected 5th overall back in 2011 from OHL’s Niagara IceDogs. He began his pro career in 2013-14 splitting time between the AHL/NHL. Ryan had 49 points in 37 games with Bridgeport and 18 points in 37 games with the Isles. A year later in his first full year in the NHL, Ryan racked up 17 goals (50 points) in 81 games. Unfortunately, he saw those numbers fall to eight goals (28 points) in 71 games last season and as mentioned spent time with Bridgeport.
Social Media Reaction:
In the end, Ryan Strome gets same AAV that Brock Nelson did (2.5M). Nelson was a 3-yr; Strome a 2 so both expire after 17-18 ssn #Isles
— Eric Hornick (@ehornick) September 20, 2016
Consider that a gift, Ryan Strome. #Isles
— Jeff Capellini (@JCapGLJ) September 20, 2016
Ryan Strome got paid about $90,000 per point after last season's abysmal performance. #Isles
— 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐱 (@IslesFix) September 20, 2016
Final Take
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For those of you muttering the words “overpaid”, or calling Ryan Strome “lucky”, listen closely.
If you compare Ryan Strome’s contract to other 5th overall picks in recent history, this is an absolute bargain. 2008 pick Tyler Myers earns $5.5 million dollars/year, 2010 pick Cam Fowler makes $4 million dollars annually, and 2012 pick Morgan Rielly cashed in with a $5 million dollar/year deal.
Yes, those are all defenders listed, but none of them have managed to score more than 10 goals in a single season (Strome with 17 in ’14-15) or surpass more than 40 points (Ryan with 50 in ’14-15).
Let’s use a comparison that makes even more sense. Colorado Avalanche center Carl Soderberg earned a five-year $4.75 million dollar/year contract in the summer of 2015 after posting 48 points in 2013-14, followed up with 44 points in 2014-15 (in Boston). That’s the cap hit/contract range a 50-point producer should be earning. The fact that Strome fell flat on his face in a contract year was a blessing for GM Garth Snow. It gave him all the leverage he needed and probably explains why it took this long.
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This should work out well for both sides. For the Isles, they get a little extra cap space/spending over the next two seasons. And for Strome, well, he has all the motivation he needs to bounce back and earn that long-term contract a couple of years down the road.