Islanders, Asham Agree to Terms on One-Year Contract

[Thrillhouse]

The Islanders have agreed to terms with forward Arron Asham on a one-year contract, avoiding arbitration.

"We're very happy to have Arron signed for next season," said Islanders general manager Garth Snow. "With Arron back and the signing of Brendan Witt and Chris Simon, we have added a lot of grit, tenacity and character to our lineup. And like Witt and Simon, Arron brings a lot to the table. He is a talented player that can contribute in many ways."

This season will be Asham's fourth with the Islanders and eighth overall in the NHL. Last season, the 28-year old Asham played in 63 games and went 9-15-24 with 103 penalty minutes. He missed the last 18 games of the season with a sprained ankle. In 341 NHL games, Asham has posted 47 goals with 55 assists for 102 points and 390 penalty minutes.

"Being an Islander means a lot to me and I did not want to be anywhere else but Long Island," said Asham. "I love the additions we made to the lineup and I'm really looking forward to the opportunity to play for Ted Nolan."

The 5-11, 209-pound Asham was originally drafted by Montreal in the third round of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. He spent five seasons in the Canadiens organization prior to being traded to the Islanders along with a fifth round draft selection in the 2002 draft for Mariusz Czerkawski in June of 2002.

[stevecanuck16]

Damn, would've loved to see him on the Canucks. Good signing for the Isles though.

[Humpzilla]

With the loss of Godard and John Erskine, Islander fans deserve this much at least. I just hope he'll drop the gloves more than 3 times this season, though.

[Orr=God]

the islanders have asham, simon, and witt and should be one of the tougher teams this season. the rangers better make sure orr is dressed when they play the islanders

[Jensen]

Good for the Islanders to get him re-signed. I hope he drops the gloves more this year.

[admirals89]

smart move by the isles, if he stays healthy i think we will see some good fights from him.

[Isles4life]

Originally Posted by admirals89

smart move by the isles, if he stays healthy i think we will see some good fights from him.

Yeah, he was timid last season because of injury problems but hopefully he'll let the beast loose under Nolan and go back to form of him repeatedly beating down Matt Barnaby. This is a very important signing for the Islanders. Last season Arron was one of the very few who actually played with effort on a consistent basis. He provides a good physical presence and can contribute offensively.

[Godard49]

950 k

[NJDevils17]

i think having asham on the isles is good, but i would have offered him a little less money. but, i like his grit and he has a decent shot.

[spiderarms]

Best middleweight in the game! No Cam Janssens is a HEAVYWEIGHT! He acts like one, he fights them, he is one of them. Great signing for the Islanders, Asham will add to an already tough lineup. He is due for a big year after last year. I still think Godard will be back with them and if they're smart they will sign Big John Erskine as well. Erskine deserves to be back, he earned his stripes last year with some big fights for the Islanders!

[nyisles15]

Originally Posted by Isles4life

Yeah, he was timid last season because of injury problems but hopefully he'll let the beast loose under Nolan and go back to form of him repeatedly beating down Matt Barnaby. This is a very important signing for the Islanders. Last season Arron was one of the very few who actually played with effort on a consistent basis. He provides a good physical presence and can contribute offensively.

He was awful last year, two seasons ago he played with effort, last year he played like crap. Hopefully now that his off ice distractions are taken care of this guy will go back to grinding and defending his middleweight status.

[nyisles15]

Originally Posted by MVgiants17

i think having asham on the isles is good, but i would have offered him a little less money. but, i like his grit and he has a decent shot.

If they offered him less money he would have turned down the offer, gone to arbitration and maybe get even more money. It was a good dealing for the isles.

[nyisles15]

Originally Posted by MVgiants17

i think having asham on the isles is good, but i would have offered him a little less money. but, i like his grit and he has a decent shot.

If they offered him less money he would have turned down the offer, gone to arbitration and maybe have gotten even more money. It was a good dealing for the isles.

[Isles4life]

Originally Posted by Godard49

950 k

He probably would have been awared 1.6 mill from those damn arbitration hearings.

[Isles4life]

Originally Posted by nyisles15

He was awful last year, two seasons ago he played with effort, last year he played like crap. Hopefully now that his off ice distractions are taken care of this guy will go back to grinding and defending his middleweight status.

Given the circumstances of distractions and injuries all year last year, I thought he played hard last year. Offensively he didn't contribute much but I still saw him going out there and skating hard, which you can't say for pretty much any other forwards that strarted the season on the team besides Blake or Hunter.