Witt Signs 2 year extension!

The Islanders have signed stay-at-home defenseman and fan favorite Brendan Witt to a 2 year extension, keeping him on the island until the completion of the 2010-2011 season. He’s only going to make 6 million over the 2 years, 3 each, which is an absolute steal for a defenseman who gives up his body and shuts down the top line of any team...ask Malkin.
The Islanders named Witt an Assistant Captain October 5th, 2006. Last season, Witt played in only 59 games due to injury, but with the amount of commitment he has shown in the past, you would have to imagine that if the team were in the hunt for a playoff spot, he would have played.
I love this move. Witt is the type of guy the fans love, teammates respect and opposing teams fear. Maybe they don’t fear him going end to end ala Bobby Orr, but rather the fact that Witt is going to shut their teams star down.


Here is what Brendan had to say (as per the Islanders website):

My family and I are excited to stay on Long Island for the next three years. We love the community and our fans, and I couldn't be happier. I want to thank the Islanders organization and the fans for making Long Island our home.

This brings me to my second point. Why are the Islanders able to resign players to extensions, especially an extension for significantly less than they would get out on the open market as a UFA? I am not complaining, I am simply asking because you constantly hear people say that the Island is an awful place to play and nobody wants to come, yet Witt, Hunter, and Martinek all sign extensions for below market value. I simply think people look at the outside of the Coliseum and read things about Charles Wang and Snow and draw inaccurate conclusions. Living on Long Island is great...if you can afford it and clearly that isn’t a problem for a professional athlete. Perhaps there is a misconception about the fans...after all, 8000 people a night is lame, but IF these UFA's come and the team starts to win...its one of the loudest rinks around.


Back to Witt, in two years with the Islanders he has three goals and 18 assists for 21 points and a +6 plus/minus rating. On a team starved for goals, him being a +6 is a testament to his strong defensive play. He is ''a warrior" according to Garth Snow and I'm certainly glad he'll be around to protect DiPietro's fragile head...which is a whole 'nother topic