Mathew Barzal agreed to an eight-year contract with the New York Islanders on Tuesday. Financial terms were not announced for the contract, which begins next season.
The 25-year-old forward is in the final season of a three-year contract he agreed to Jan. 9, 2021, and could have become a restricted free agent after the season.
Barzal said Sept. 22 that he was hoping to have a contract before the season started. The Islanders play their opener against the Florida Panthers on Oct. 13.
“It’s two weeks before the season and hopefully we can hammer something out,” Barzal said. “If not, I’m not really worried about it because my heart’s here and I know we’ll get something fair and something the two sides are happy about.”
Barzal’s comments echoed those made by Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello earlier that same week.
“We expect a lot out of him,” Lamoriello said. “He expects a lot out of himself. … He’s without question one of our leaders. Without question, probably our most talented player and he’s committed without question. He’s ready to prove a lot of things, and I [have] total confidence and I’m his biggest fan.”
Barzal tied for the Islanders lead last season with 59 points (15 goals, 44 assists) in 73 games. He has led of tied for the team lead in scoring in each of his five full NHL seasons.
Selected by New York in the first round (No. 16) of the 2015 NHL Draft, Barzal has 311 points (91 goals, 220 assists) in 362 regular-season games and 38 points (13 goals, 25 assists) in 49 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
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