Boychuk could be in line to become Islanders' highest-paid player

Johnny Boychuk appears set for a handsome payday. 

After defenseman Nick Leddy was signed to a long-term extension by the New York Islanders on Tuesday, general manager Garth Snow's attention turns to retaining the services of Johnny Boychuk.

The impending unrestricted free agent could soon become the club's top earner, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

The team and agent are tight-lipped on the Johnny Boychuk front, but it's believed the Islanders have made at least one offer that would make him the highest-paid player on the roster.

Don't go too crazy, John Tavares was at the top - $5.5M - which is now Leddy's average, too.

Key to this report, as Friedman indicates, is the fact that Tavares is locked into a team-friendly contract, which opens the door for Boychuk - who would command upwards of $6 million per season on the open market - to surpass his cap hit.

Kyle Okposo will be an unrestricted free agent after next season, and could very well start earning more than Tavares at that point too.

Through 52 games in his first season with the Islanders, Boychuk has already set career highs in goals (seven), assists (22) and power-play points (14), and is an integral part of the team's success so far.