No doubt it's a judgement call, no doubt like with Brendan Witt, Trent Hunter (resigned early) it can backfire with someone who already missed a year, who could get injured again before 2013-14.
It's backfired with many players Streit's age who have been resigned or moved onto other teams.
Long term deals in general turn into poor decisions.
Having written that Mark Streit is the captain of the New York Islanders, a top flight two-way defender which is rare in this league.
Mark Streit will have huge value entering free agency in a few short months, who likely will command a front-loaded contract on the open market.
This is a player who's ability the organization does not have a replacement for at any level in the near future, he is a player John Tavares went to Switzerland with to be on his team.
Tavares is the New York Islanders signature star moving forward.
Nino Niederreiter is another players who has, and will look to Mark Streit for advice in the years ahead.
This is where management needs to make another statement now by locking up Mark Streit for the remainder of his NHL career beginning with the 2013-14 season.