Free Agency
Free Agency: Brassard, Greene, Martin Could Still Return to Isles
They hit the open market, but Derick Brassard, Andy Greene and Matt Martin could still end up back in orange and blue.
The New York Islanders have kept the lines of communication open with the three free agents, according to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period. All three were allowed to walk when free agency opened on Friday at noon.
The Islanders have kept lines of communication open with Brassard, Greene & Martin. Hearing they've also kicked tires on UFAs Dadonov & Namestnikov, among others. Problem for NYI is they've been unable to unload salary, as they also have RFAs Barzal, Pulock & Toews to sign.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) October 9, 2020
Earlier reports indicated that the Islanders had had conversations with Brassard about a contract extension. Lou Lamoriello told reporters during an end of the year conference call that he would love for Greene to return as well.
The Islanders have remained silent since the start of free agency. They only have $8.9 million in cap space at the moment and need to re-sign restricted free agents Mat Barzal, Ryan Pulock and Devon Toews.
It would seem that any move outside of re-signing their restricted free agents is at a standstill while they try to maneuver to free up more cap space. A report on Friday indicated the Islanders were open to moving goaltender Semyon Varlamov to free up cap space.
Johnny Boychuk, Andrew Ladd and Nick Leddy have also been highlighted as possible pieces moved to free up money.
If the Islanders attempt to move Varlamov and bring back Thomas Greiss on a cheaper deal, they may have some competition. The Edmonton Oilers are reported to have interest in the now-former Islanders goaltender.
Oilers have checked in on the likes of Thomas Greiss and Corey Crawford but nothing cooking there at the moment. I think Edmonton is going to be patient now after losing out on Markstrom. Might be a day or two before the Oilers address the goalie position
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) October 9, 2020
Free Agency
‘I love it on the Island,’ Mathew Barzal Puts to Bed Thought He’d Want to Play Elsewhere | NYHN+
It was as if Mathew Barzal was answering all of the naysayers directly on Saturday afternoon after news broke that he had signed a three-year, $21 million contract extension with the New York Islanders.
As the days went on and Barzal remained unsigned, many wondered what the hold up had been. What was taking so long? Former NHLer and Spittin’ Chicklets co-host Paul Bissonette even suggested Barzal hold out for “as long as possible” and that he didn’t think Barzal was having fun playing in Barry Trotz’s system.
That didn’t sit well with Islanders fans.
But Barzal put all of that to rest when he spoke on Saturday, expressing his love for Long Island and reiterating his excitement to be an Islander.
Join us!
The long wait is over for fans, the New York Islanders, and Mathew Barzal.
The team and Barzal agreed to a new three-year contract on Saturday, per the Fourth Period’s Dave Pagnotta, who delivered the news.
Mathew Barzal’s three-year deal carries a $7 million AAV, according to PuckPedia. TSN’s Darren Dreger reported that Mathew Barzal will be paid $4 million in the first year, $7 million in the second year and $10 million in the final year of the contract.
The #Isles re-signed 23 y/o RFA C Barzal for 3 year $7M Cap Hit. On expiry, will be RFA w/ Arbitration rights, $8.4M Qualifying Offer, & 1 year from UFA Eligibility.
-19G 60P in 68GP
-Rep'd by JP Barry @CAAHockey https://t.co/tSffuqOCfN— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) January 9, 2021
The news is a welcomed relief to Islanders fans who had been waiting with bated breath after weeks of negotiations between the two sides. Training camp opened earlier this week without the Islanders’ star player on the ice.
However, his absence didn’t concern teammates, who expressed confidence that a deal would be worked out in short order.
Barzal was on the ice for the first time with his teammates on Saturday morning, just after news of the new contract had broke. Making up for lost time, Barzal scored twice in the Islanders’ third scrimmage of training camp, Andrew Gross reported.
Highlights from today’s scrimmage 🤩 pic.twitter.com/IfprVedidd
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) January 9, 2021
Part of the holdup for the deal had been the Islanders’ complicated financial situation. General manager Lou Lamoriello had reportedly been working to try and move some pieces to free up more cap space.
The Islanders had been working with $3.09 million in free cap space.
With Mathew Barzal now agreed to a new deal, the Islanders are now $3.09 million projected over the salary cap with a 21-man roster and Johnny Boychuk’s $6 million cap hit, according to PuckPedia.
With Barzal signed ($7M Cap Hit), #Isles are $3.09M Projected over Cap w/ 21 Active on Roster + Boychuk ($6M).
Most likely way to set LTIR pool is sign Martin ($1.5M?) & add 1 more ~ $1M to Roster =$5.6M over Cap, which would be LTIR pool for year.https://t.co/W1JRApCWFe
— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) January 9, 2021
The Islanders could still make a move before Tuesday when they need to become cap compliant to start the season.
There wasn’t much in the way of an update on where things stand with Mathew Barzal on Thursday when Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello spoke with reporters.
Lamoriello had no update on the Islanders star player, who remains unsigned just days away from the start of training camp. However, Barzal is on Long Island quarantining for the start of camp on Sunday.
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“We will certainly work at this with the hope to have him on the first day of training camp,” Lamoriello said on a Zoom call.
Talks between the Islanders and Mathew Barzal have appeared to be in a holding pattern since the season ended in September. Things between the two sides have picked up recently, but hockey insider Darren Dreger reported on Thursday that a deal was not close.
As the days have inched closer to the start of the season, concern has started to rise among the fanbase. And the Islanders are now in a situation where Barzal may not be on the ice for the start of camp.
Lamoriello wouldn’t even contemplate that thought when asked about it on Thursday.
“We still have a few days until training camp, so I don’t want to get into any hypotheticals,” Lamoriello responded. “It is our intention and his intention to be there and hopefully that will happen.”
The expectation is that Mathew Barzal will get a bridge deal in the neighborhood of two or three years worth around $7 million per year. Earlier on Thursday, fellow restricted free agent, Pierre-Luc Dubois signed a two-year, $10 million extension with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Islanders have been in a bit of a cap crunch since the offseason began. They currently have $3.9 million in cap space, but with Johnny Boychuk ending his career in November, the Islanders will get a bit more cap space to work with.
The Islanders could make an additional maneuver to free up some more cap space before the season begins.
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