Islanders Sign Mike Halmo

NY Islanders Sign Mike Halmo To An Entry Level Contract

LW. Mike Halmo Age: 20 Height: 5-11 Weight: 174 Drafted: Undrafted 2011-12 Statistics: Owen Sound Attack (OHL): 63 GP | 39 G | 42 A | 81 P | plus-24 | 158 PIM CONTRACT: 3 Year Entry-Level Contract (ELC) Important Facts: -Fifth most Penalty Minutes in the OHL. -Fifth most Points in the OHL.

Thoughts: 

The NY Islanders announced yesterday that they have signed twenty-year old OHL overager, Mike Halmo to an entry-level contract. He will join the Bridgeport Sound Tigers once his current team — the Owen Sound Attack — finish up their season. 

Halmo was one of the most attractive undrafted free agents in the Ontario Hockey League, and the Islanders had a lot of competition from rival clubs to acquire his services. According to OHL Prospects Blog, he was the number one OHL overage free-agent prospect. In the past, the Islanders haven't been very active in the undrafted free agent market, especially the more coveted players, so its telling that they chose to pursue Halmo. 

Mike Halmo's game is unique because of the different elements he's able to bring to the table. Throughout his OHL career he's always been an imposing physical presence, but his offensive production has improved each year he's been in the league. With that being said, Halmo will always be noticed because of his physicality. Since his first day in the OHL he's been one of the best hitters in the league, as well as one of the more dirty players. Last night Halmo showed both of those characteristics in action when he hit Nail Yakupov with a questionable open-ice check. Halmo may not be the biggest player at 5'11 - 174 pounds, but his heart and determination make up for it. The comparison that I've heard frequently is to his former line-mate, Andrew Shaw. I could definitely see him ending up as a very similar player to Shaw which would be fantastic for the Islanders. If he's unable to take that same successful path, the worst possible outcome is that he'll become a 'Micheal Haley-type' who is more of an AHL player that can be recalled when needed, rather than an everyday NHL'er. 

I like this signing for the Islanders as there is a lot more 'reward' than there is risk. I believe undrafted free-agent signings are extremely beneficial to a hockey club, as Brian Burke puts it "they're free draft picks". A guy like Halmo is ready for the pro-game, but has a decent upside as well which makes him the perfect type of player to add in this capacity.