After missing the first few days of training camp as an unrestricted free agent holdout, Mathew Barzal put pen to paper on Saturday, signing a new three-year, $21 million contract with the New York Islanders. Following the signing, he was asked by Arthur Staple of The Athletic whether he was ever interested in possibly leaving the Islanders while he was awaiting a new deal.
"No, absolutely not. The whole negotiation was totally respectable on both sides. It's pretty clear I love it on the Island," said Barzal. "I love being here - this is a fun place to be and a fun place to play."
He also told reporters he would have had no issue signing a long-term deal with the Isles, but added the league's current financial situation didn't allow for that.
While the average annual cap hit for the Islanders is $7 million per season with the new deal, Barzal will actually make $4 million in the first year, $7 million in the second and $10 million in the third. That is something to keep in mind because once Barzal's new deal ends, he will still be a restricted free agent and the Islanders are not allowed to offer him a new contract for less money than he made in the final year of the last one.
Barzal wasted no time hitting the ice once his new contract was signed. He practised with the team Saturday, playing on a line with Anders Lee and Jordan Eberle. Barzal had 60 points (19G, 41A) in 68 games with the Islanders last season. His best came in 2017-18, his first full season in the league, when he recorded 22 goals and 63 assists for 85 points in 82 games.
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