Mathew Barzal’s favourite athletes all performed their total careers with the identical group.
In the course of the Islanders’ breakup day Saturday morning, Barzal listed Michael Jordan, Sidney Crosby and Patrick Kane (and no, he doesn’t depend Jordan’s transient comeback with the Wizards) because the gamers he’d like to hitch in doing so.
“Clearly I’ve given thought to it,” Barzal stated when requested about the opportunity of a long-term extension. “Would like to be right here on The Island. That is house. That is the place I need to be, that is the place I need to win.”
Subsequent season would be the final of Barzal’s present three-year, $21 million cope with the Islanders, after which he’ll enter restricted free company with arbitration rights. A yr after that, he’ll be eligible for unrestricted free company.
That course of, although, is one he’d wish to keep away from.
“I really like my life right here,” he stated. “Love the town, love the followers, clearly our new rink is wonderful. I really like carrying the blue and orange. Would like to signal long run right here — I feel it’s such a cool factor when a participant performs his entire profession with one group.”
The 24-year-old Barzal had 15 targets and 44 assists this season. He missed a handful of video games with each COVID-19 and an harm in February. After Jordan Eberle was taken within the enlargement draft, the Islanders struggled to seek out Barzal linemates with whom he may mesh, although enjoying him with Zach Parise and Kyle Palmieri on both facet labored nicely towards the tip of the season.
“I feel simply dissatisfied possibly that issues didn’t click on as shortly as I wished to, once more with guys taking place with COVID, guys getting damage and out and in of the lineup, it may be powerful to seek out that chemistry,” Barzal stated. “I delight myself on being a centerman that may play with anybody.”
Barzal is a part of the Islanders’ core — a gaggle that has each intention of coming again subsequent season and righting the ship after issues went sideways in 2021-22. It’s unlikely the Islanders will make main modifications this offseason after basic supervisor Lou Lamoriello saved them collectively on the commerce deadline in March.
“Wish to be competing for the Stanley Cup yearly,” Barzal stated. “It’s clearly the day after the season ended, however this group’s already excited to get again.”
Andy Greene isn’t but able to announce a call on his future, saying he would speak over potential retirement along with his household and Lamoriello earlier than doing so.
“Actually can’t say a method or one other,” the 39-year-old stated. “It’s simply time to take the emotion out of the whole lot, let it calm down and see what occurs subsequent.”
If Greene returns to the NHL subsequent season, he’d prefer it to be with the Islanders. He has spent his total profession within the Tri-State space, first with the Devils from 2006-2020 earlier than getting despatched to the Islanders by way of commerce simply earlier than the pandemic.
“It’s been nothing however a terrific expertise, nice guys, nice group from high to backside, as you already know,” Greene stated. “The place I’m at in my profession, clearly it’s most likely right here or nowhere.”
Goaltander Semyon Varlamov, who will hit unrestricted free company on the finish of subsequent season, stated he was comfortable the Islanders didn’t transfer him on the commerce deadline, and needs to stay with the group going ahead.
“I obtained another yr with the Islanders after which I need to be right here subsequent yr,” Varlamov stated. “I wished to complete this season it doesn't matter what with this group. I didn’t need to be moved in the midst of the season and go play some other place. I consider on this group.”
Cal Clutterbuck and Scott Mayfield, who each missed the final six weeks of the season with accidents, anticipate to be prepared for coaching camp. The one hindrance to Clutterbuck’s offseason coaching program is that he could also be delayed in getting on the ice, whereas Mayfield stated he expects issues to be regular.
Noah Dobson demurred when requested about signing a long-term cope with the Islanders, saying he hadn’t thought a lot about it, however his agent and Lamoriello would sit down in some unspecified time in the future throughout the offseason. The 22-year-old Dobson, who broke out with 51 factors this season, is a restricted free agent.
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