Post by NY Islanders GM on Nov 1, 2023 18:19:05 GMT -5
Edler set to retire; Muzzin to transition to scouting role in ‘24
ELMONT, NY - The Islanders dipped into their pockets and have signed top free agent defenseman Damon Severson to a long term deal.
The move comes off on the surface as a bit of a surprise, given General Manager Chris Hessel’s usual MO when it comes to the open market. But there are a few events which started a chain reaction that ultimately led Severson to Long Island.
We’ll start with that. The deal for Severson - reportedly for 5 years and worth around $33M in total - is the largest commitment Hessel has made in unrestricted free agency, easily surpassing the 4-year, $21.35M deal with Mikko Koivu in 2016. It is a departure from anything Hessel has done in the past, especially the inclusion of a full no move clause. But the uniqueness of the player, the age, and the position made him comfortable with the sizeable commitment.
The pitch included a lot of plans for premier ice time, and a plan in place to assist the Isles in their post-Erik Johnson phase. Johnson, 35 and with one season remaining on his deal after the upcoming season, has given no indication of his plans to the Isles yet according to sources however did flirt with the idea of retirement last offseason.
The idea of Severson eventually assuming the Johnson role from a talent standpoint was an appealing one. The Isles march to the NsHL Cup Finals this past spring wasn’t a bad sell, either.
And when you consider the Isles are returning most of that same team up front, it’s not unreasonable to put them in the conversation for the East again.
“As usual, costs on the trade market are pretty erratic, unrealistic…rightfully so as teams who have those types usually need them so for us this was a no brainer. Especially for a team in our situation,” Hessel said.
And that situation looked bleak pretty quickly, if only for a few weeks.
Long time NsHL defenseman Alex Elder has reportedly informed the team of his decision to retire. The 37-year-old was a nice contributor for the Isles defense last season, and sources say his thought process was on again, off again. While the Isles didn’t have a definitive answer going into UFA the team didn’t let it alter their plans to chase Severson.
But this week while the Isles did shop Edler and even field a couple of offers on him, they sat down with he and his agent to discuss the future and it was ultimately decided he was content with his career which brought Cups in Vancouver and Anaheim, and an almost Cup on Long Island. The Isles seem content to oblige with the request for the grizzled vet to retire as a member of the orange and blue.
At the same time, the equally as grizzled Jake Muzzin approached the Islanders about his wear and tear. Sources say Muzzin had an open mind and the Islanders were able to convince the 34-year-old to give it one more go.
The team make-up and their free agency plans were impressive enough that Muzzin considered it, and after Severson officially signed it made his decision easier.
“Yeah, this will be it for me. Last year was fantastic, I performed really well. The team performed well and we just fell short. I’m excited to be a part of this group this season, it’s the same team that went far with a few new faces, a huge addition…I’m ready for it.”
The Islanders have ample time to deal with the hole Muzzin creates next summer, and potentially one for the the aforementioned Erik Johnson if he goes this route too. But the team can rest comfortably knowing that they’ll already have Severson around to make up any differences.
“We were aggressive, while keeping it realistic for ourselves,” Hessel said. “We let it be known to Damon and Nate Kopsack that we really wanted the player, made him our sole focus. We outlined everything. The players leaving this year and next year. The cap outlook. The frustration of trying to move assets for a defensemen like this only to be met with struggles. It really was the best of all worlds from us.”
“Add a player of this caliber, this age, while also keeping around the forward group that won a President’s Trophy two years ago and went to the Cup Finals last season? Let’s go, sign me up."
ELMONT, NY - The Islanders dipped into their pockets and have signed top free agent defenseman Damon Severson to a long term deal.
The move comes off on the surface as a bit of a surprise, given General Manager Chris Hessel’s usual MO when it comes to the open market. But there are a few events which started a chain reaction that ultimately led Severson to Long Island.
We’ll start with that. The deal for Severson - reportedly for 5 years and worth around $33M in total - is the largest commitment Hessel has made in unrestricted free agency, easily surpassing the 4-year, $21.35M deal with Mikko Koivu in 2016. It is a departure from anything Hessel has done in the past, especially the inclusion of a full no move clause. But the uniqueness of the player, the age, and the position made him comfortable with the sizeable commitment.
The pitch included a lot of plans for premier ice time, and a plan in place to assist the Isles in their post-Erik Johnson phase. Johnson, 35 and with one season remaining on his deal after the upcoming season, has given no indication of his plans to the Isles yet according to sources however did flirt with the idea of retirement last offseason.
The idea of Severson eventually assuming the Johnson role from a talent standpoint was an appealing one. The Isles march to the NsHL Cup Finals this past spring wasn’t a bad sell, either.
And when you consider the Isles are returning most of that same team up front, it’s not unreasonable to put them in the conversation for the East again.
“As usual, costs on the trade market are pretty erratic, unrealistic…rightfully so as teams who have those types usually need them so for us this was a no brainer. Especially for a team in our situation,” Hessel said.
And that situation looked bleak pretty quickly, if only for a few weeks.
Long time NsHL defenseman Alex Elder has reportedly informed the team of his decision to retire. The 37-year-old was a nice contributor for the Isles defense last season, and sources say his thought process was on again, off again. While the Isles didn’t have a definitive answer going into UFA the team didn’t let it alter their plans to chase Severson.
But this week while the Isles did shop Edler and even field a couple of offers on him, they sat down with he and his agent to discuss the future and it was ultimately decided he was content with his career which brought Cups in Vancouver and Anaheim, and an almost Cup on Long Island. The Isles seem content to oblige with the request for the grizzled vet to retire as a member of the orange and blue.
At the same time, the equally as grizzled Jake Muzzin approached the Islanders about his wear and tear. Sources say Muzzin had an open mind and the Islanders were able to convince the 34-year-old to give it one more go.
The team make-up and their free agency plans were impressive enough that Muzzin considered it, and after Severson officially signed it made his decision easier.
“Yeah, this will be it for me. Last year was fantastic, I performed really well. The team performed well and we just fell short. I’m excited to be a part of this group this season, it’s the same team that went far with a few new faces, a huge addition…I’m ready for it.”
The Islanders have ample time to deal with the hole Muzzin creates next summer, and potentially one for the the aforementioned Erik Johnson if he goes this route too. But the team can rest comfortably knowing that they’ll already have Severson around to make up any differences.
“We were aggressive, while keeping it realistic for ourselves,” Hessel said. “We let it be known to Damon and Nate Kopsack that we really wanted the player, made him our sole focus. We outlined everything. The players leaving this year and next year. The cap outlook. The frustration of trying to move assets for a defensemen like this only to be met with struggles. It really was the best of all worlds from us.”
“Add a player of this caliber, this age, while also keeping around the forward group that won a President’s Trophy two years ago and went to the Cup Finals last season? Let’s go, sign me up."