Islanders Extend Jackman for 2009-10

If you've been looking at the Islanders' current crop of forwards, imagining what additions they might make this summer, and trying to figure out who would be back to fill the top 12 spots, today you have one question answered.

The Islanders have signed Tim Jackman to a one-year contract extension. Jackman, who was slated to be an unrestricted free agent, is not a Ted Nolan-type player or a Scott Gordon-type player. He is everyone's definition of a character player. His willingness to be the team's enforcer in the absence of a true heavyweight is just one of the reasons that players and fans alike are glad to have him around.

In my last entry, I said that Jackman makes the most of his ability and the time he's given to prove himself. It's good to confirm that the Islanders agree. In a press release announcing the deal, here's what GM Garth Snow had to say about the forward:

“Tim earned this extension by showing his willingness to do whatever is necessary to help the Islanders succeed. We know Tim is excited about being an Islander next season and we’re just as excited to have him back.”

Jackman has four goals, two assists, and 133 penalty minutes in 57 games for the Islanders this season. In 12 games with the AHL's Bridgeport Sound Tigers, the 6'4" native of Minot, ND, contributed six goals and one assist to go along with 35 PIMs.

Jackman was originally drafted as a second rounder by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2001.

With Jackman now in the fold, here's a list of free-agent forwards the Islanders will have to consider re-signing over the next several months (status source, nhlnumbers.com):

Doug Weight, UFA
Mike Sillinger, UFA
Andy Hilbert, UFA
Nate Thompson, RFA
Blake Comeau, RFA
Dean McAmmond, UFA
Mitch Fritz, UFA
Ben Walter, RFA
Kurtis McLean, UFA
Mike Iggulden, RFA
Trevor Smith, RFA
Jeremy Colliton, RFA

Let the guessing begin.

For more on what Jackman brings to the Islanders, pay a visit to Lighthouse Hockey.

(This post was originally published at http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=20133.)