Islanders sign D Adam Pelech to eight-year, $46M contract

Adam Pelech Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports

Islanders sign defenseman Adam Pelech to eight-year, $46 million contract

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 8/6/21

The New York Islanders and Adam Pelech have avoided arbitration.

Pelech and the Isles agreed to an eight-year deal on Friday, the team announced. According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the contract is worth $5.75 million annually.

#Isles News: The New York Islanders announced today that Adam Pelech has agreed to terms on an eight-year contract.https://t.co/JqiJEWnM38
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) August 6, 2021

AAV $5.75M https://t.co/wOKFLqXrgc
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) August 6, 2021

Pelech is viewed as one of the better defensive defensemen in the NHL. However, he can also contribute on offense. The 26-year-old tallied 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in 56 games last season, adding five points (one goal, four assists) in 19 playoff games.

New York selected Pelech 65th overall in the 2012 NHL Draft. He has 75 points (16 goals, 59 assists) in 303 career NHL games and 12 points (two goals, 10 assists) in 48 career playoff games.

The Islanders also have to re-sign goaltender Ilya Sorokin and forward Anthony Beauvillier this summer. New York had just over $17.6 million in cap space this offseason before the Pelech signing, according to CapFriendly.

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