Why did the Islanders hand a 26-year-old AHL centerman a one-way deal?
Why did the Islanders hand a 26-year-old AHL centerman a one-way deal?
On Tuesday, the New York Islanders made two depth signings, the first being 26-year-old center Fredrik Karlström.
The other was 24-year-old center Marc Gatcomb.
Both of their one-year contracts come in at $775,000, but there's one big difference.
Karlström, who scored 21 goals with 23 assists for 44 points with the Texas Stars (AHL), got a one-way deal. Gatcomb, who scored nine goals with 11 assists for 20 points in 61 games with the Abbotsford Canucks (AHL) -- winning the team's Unsung Hero award -- signed a two-way deal.
A one-way contract means that whatever the player is making at the NHL level, he will also make at the AHL level.
A two-way deal means that the player makes a different amount depending on the league they are playing in.
Karlström is making $775,000 at the NHL level and $775,000 at the AHL level.
Gatcomb is making $775,000 at the NHL level and $125,000 at the AHL level.
Usually, NHL players receive one-year deals if they are expected to fight for a roster spot.
So when the news broke that Karlström's contract was a one-way deal, it had many wondering if this was a precursor to another move.
Could the Islanders be looking to trade one of their bottom-six centermen to clear salary cap space?
It's one theory and certainly a possibility. But, the more likely reason is for enticing purposes.
There's not one player out there that wants to make less money.
Karlström was coming off the best season of his career, and the Islanders were not likely the only team interested in offering him a contract.
Last season, he was given a one-year, two-way deal with the Stars, with an NHL salary of $775,000 and a minor-league salary of $225,000.
The year before that, his split was $750,000/$105,000.
So, it is probably a very big milestone that he's being given a stable income regardless of where he will be.
If Karlström goes to Bridgeport, his entire $750,000 cap hit gets buried in the minors.
Are the Islanders the only team that offered the Swedish center a one-way deal?
We won't know for certain, as the league minimum is $775,000, so no team could have offered him a one-year deal at a lower price.
But the Islanders certainly enticed him the most, and that's why he's here.
The Islanders started the day with just one Bridgeport center -- Cam Thiesing -- and now end their day with three.
This summer has been all about the prospects for New York, getting some projected talent at the 2024 NHL Draft while also getting some AHL players with experience -- invaluable to the younger prospects.
Karlström has eight career NHL games under his belt (one assist), which means that he could be an option for Patrick Roy if there's an injury.
Right now, the Islanders have five centermen on the roster -- not including Mathew Barzal -- with Kyle MacLean likely to be moved to the wing, given his effectiveness in the lineup this past season.
The Islanders, who only have the cap space for a 22-man roster—one short of the norm—will likely be carrying two extra wingers in restricted free agents Simon Holmstrom; Hudson Fasching and defenseman Samuel Bolduc.
While Karlström could theoretically be the first center called up if there was an injury down the middle, the better option for New York is to move MacLean back to his natural position.
It's never a bad thing to have center depth and that's likely what this move is, using the one-way deal to lure him to Bridgeport.
Nothing more, nothing less.