While he may be a free agent, center Mathew Barzal is a top priority for the New York Islanders. Barzal has the option of signing an offer sheet with another NHL team beginning October the 9th, the Islanders are confident that they will reach a new deal with the 23-year-old center.
Barzal was the Islanders’ top scorer this season with 60 points (19 goals, 41 assists) in 68 games before the coronavirus shutdown hit. He amassed an impressive 17 points (five goals, 12 assists) in 22 postseason games in addition.
General manager Lou Lamoriello had the following to say regarding the hunt for free agents, “Right now, all I’m doing is focusing in on communication with each and every one of our restricted free agents and also unrestricted free agents and seeing exactly what we can get done. We did not have any communication during the playoffs intentionally, and right now we’re talking. I feel that we’ll get all our players signed in due time.”
Following the Islanders’ elimination from the Stanley Cup, defensemen Ryan Pulock and Devon Toews also became restricted free agents. Five other Islanders players are set to become unrestricted free agents, namely goaltender Thomas Greiss, defenseman Andy Greene and forwards Matt Martin, Derick Brassard, and Tom Kuhnhackl.
