Restricted free agent Adam Pelech will have a new deal soon.
One way or the other.
The Islanders' top-pair defenseman had his arbitration hearing scheduled for Wednesday, as announced by the NHL Players’ Association on Thursday. It is the first date of the hearings, which run through Aug. 26.
Of course, Islanders president and general manager Lou Lamoriello – who, so far, has not announced any of his presumed offseason moves – would prefer to work out a long-term deal with Pelech, who is coming off a four-year, $6.4 million deal but whose market value has likely risen to nearly $7 million per season.