Islanders Re-Sign MacLean to Three-Year Deal

The New York Islanders have re-signed pending RFA Kyle MacLean to a three-year contract worth $2.35 million dollars over the life of the deal. The AAV is only $775k per season, an extremely reasonable sum for someone who is expected to play a key role in the future for the Islanders. The Islanders now have just a hair under $6 million to work with before any other moves are made.

MacLean seems set to become the permanent fourth-line center for the Islanders. MacLean, 25, made his NHL debut this past season and carved out a permanent spot in the lineup. He scored four goals and nine points in the regular season.

He played all five playoff games while being one of the most noticeable Islanders during that series. MacLean scored his first and only playoff goal in the 3-1 defeat in game one.

MacLean’s arrival was one of the bright spots of this season for the Islanders, as he came up through Bridgeport as an undrafted free agent before signing with the Bridgeport club back in 2020-21. MacLean played for the Oshawa Generals in the OHL for five years and served as captain for his final two.

Now armed with a brand new three-year deal, MacLean will be in the Islanders’ future, as his arrival has set up for the potential departure of Jean-Gabriel Pageau. Pageau, 31, would be moved almost solely for cap space purposes.

Outside of Pageau, the Islanders have four NHL centers on their roster, not including Mat Barzal and Ruslan Iskhakov, who have played center in their careers. Pageau has perhaps become the most expendable player on the roster, solely based on value and players at the position.