from Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe,

Andrew MacDonald is the best bargain in the league. The Islanders defenseman is in the last season of a four-year, $2.2 million contract, according to www.capgeek.com. At this rate, the unrestricted free agent-to-be could land a deal 10 times better than his $550,000 average annual value.

Through 42 games, MacDonald was averaging 25:58 of ice time, seventh highest in the NHL. He also led the league with 143 blocked shots.

The 27-year-old left-shot defenseman plays in all situations, although that’s more a function of the Islanders’ thin blue line compared to other clubs.

If the Islanders opt to trade MacDonald instead of re-sign him, he’d be a very good second-pairing fit for any playoff team. And if MacDonald reaches the open market, he’s due at least a five-year deal worth $5.5 million annually, which would put him in line with comparables such as Bouwmeester, Martin, and Andrei Markov.

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