Adam Pelech
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Islanders have made a major commitment to one of their best players. 

On Friday morning, the New York Islanders announced their most significant deal of the offseason.

Defenseman Adam Pelech avoided arbitration, agreeing to an eight-year extension with the club. The deal reportedly has a $5.75 million AAV.

Pelech, who turns 27 on Aug. 16, emerged as one of the better defensemen in the NHL last season. He produced 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in 56 games last season with the Islanders.

Offensive production isn’t his calling card, however.

The Islanders originally drafted Pelech in the third round (65th overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft. He has 75 points (16 goals, 59 assists) in 303 career regular-season games and has added 12 points (two goals, 10 assists) in 48 career postseason games.

Tab has written about MLB, the NHL and the NFL for more than a decade for publications including The Fourth Period, Bleacher Report and La Vida Baseball. He is the author of two books about the Chicago Blackhawks and has been credentialed for the MLB All-Star Game and postseason and multiple Stanley Cup Finals. He is the co-host of the Line Drive Radio podcast.