Negotiations regarding contract extensions with Mathew Barzal commence following the official announcement of the NHL 2021 season
New York Islanders Secure Mathew Barzal with a Long-Term Contract
The New York Islanders have secured the future of one of their star players, Mathew Barzal, with a new contract. The deal, announced today, will see Barzal remain with the team until the 2030-31 NHL season, with an annual cap hit of $9.15 million.
The contract, which is expected to be an 8-year deal given the current year is 2025, comes after months of negotiations and uncertainty. Barzal's agent, JP Barry, has confirmed that discussions will resume this week to finalise the details of the agreement.
The Islanders currently have around $3.9 million in cap space, and with the expected cap hit of Barzal's new contract being approximately $6 million or $7 million, the team will need to perform some salary-cap gymnastics to accommodate the deal.
Barzal, who is one of the lone marketable faces of the Islanders, has had a mixed performance recently. He has shown promising seasons but also struggled with injuries. The high salary for a top-line forward has raised concerns about potential overpayment if his production does not rebound.
The Islanders' fan base has been anxious about the status of Barzal's contract, especially after the unofficial retirement of veteran defenseman Johnny Boychuk last month. However, the resumption of discussions for Barzal's contract is comforting news for the team's supporters.
The 2021 NHL season is set to begin on January 13, and the Islanders will have a few weeks left to sign Barzal to a new deal. The team is looking to address the final needs of a team aiming to take the next step toward a Stanley Cup Final.
In addition to Barzal's contract, the Islanders are also expected to announce the smaller deals of goalie Cory Schneider, winger Matt Martin, and defenseman Andy Greene.
[1] Source: NHL.com
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With the long-term contract signed, Mathew Barzal will continue his hockey career with the National Hockey League's (NHL) New York Islanders until the 2030-31 season. As the team gears up for the 2021 NHL season, the Islanders are also set to announce smaller deals for goalie Cory Schneider, winger Matt Martin, and defenseman Andy Greene, ensuring a strong lineup for their pursuit of the Stanley Cup.
