After trading for Jean-Gabriel Pageau from the Ottawa Senators, the New York Islanders re-signed the forward to a new six-year contract. The contract is worth $30 million with an AAV of $5 million.
#Isles Transaction: New York Islanders center Jean-Gabriel Pageau has agreed to a six-year contract extension with the club. https://t.co/wntk9WvOqm
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) February 24, 2020
Islanders Sign Pageau To An Extension
The Islanders were in need of scoring and Jean-Gabriel Pageau brings that to Long Island. General manager Lou Lamoriello has never been a fan of signing players to long-term contracts. However, the Islanders have a good young team they want to build around similar to the Senators. Pageau’s current deal carries a $3.1 million cap hit for the remainder of the season. The Islanders had some issues keeping players around long-term, but recently players want to stay. Captain Anders Lee signed a new seven-year deal in the summer of 2019. Not to mention the Islanders signed Brock Nelson to a seven-year contract in May of 2019.
Originally drafted by the Senators in the 4th round, 96th overall in the 2011 NHL Draft. The Islanders will be the second team he will ever play for. This season with the Senators, Pageau has recorded 40 points (24 goals and 16 assists) in 60 games. In 428 career games, he has 182 points (87 goals and 95 assists).
What Lies Ahead
The Islanders are lucky to have three young players like Pageau, Nelson, and Lee signed to long-term deals. Not to mention the team has Jordan Eberle locked up on a long-term deal as well. With these players locked up, the next priority for the Islanders will be Mathew Barzal. Since being drafted by the Islanders, Barzal has picked up his game since John Tavares left for Toronto. Pageau’s salary cap hit is reasonable enough for the Islanders to get Barzal signed at a reasonable number as well.
In addition, the Islanders will have a nice young nucleus on offence to go with a solid defence and goaltending in Barry Trotz’s system.
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