Mathew Barzal says he wants to stay long-term with Islanders
Mathew Barzal of the Islanders skates against the Washington Capitals at UBS Arena on April 28 in Elmont. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Next season will be the last on Mathew Barzal’s three-year, $21 million deal with the Islanders, after which he would be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights. He would also be one season shy of unrestricted free agency.
But the slick-skating playmaker said during Saturday’s exit interviews at Northwell Heath Ice Center in East Meadow he would be amendable to a long-term extension.
“I’ve given thought to it,” Barzal said. “I would love to be here on the Island. This is home. This is where I want to be. This is where I want to win and I love my life here. I would love to sign long term here.
“I think it’s such a cool thing when a player plays his whole career with one team.”
Greene: No decision yet
Defenseman Andy Greene, 39, said he has not decided whether to retire. But he does know he doesn’t want to play for another team.
“In terms of what’s next, no idea, in reality,” said Greene, the former Devils captain who has played 1,057 games and spent the last two-plus seasons with the Islanders. “Take some time here, talk it over with the family, talk it over with Lou [Lamoriello] and go from there. Take the emotion out of everything.
“It’s definitely probably here or nowhere.”
Isles files
Cal Clutterbuck, who missed the final 23 games to fix a shoulder injury after agreeing to a two-year, $3.5 million extension, said he expects to be ready for next season. “There’s going to be some months of rehab,” Clutterbuck said. “I’m fully expecting to be ready to go…” Defenseman Scott Mayfield said he was “pretty much 100% going to offseason training” after missing the final 21 games with a lower-body injury…Oliver Wahlstrom on 6-9, 250-pound defenseman Zdeno Chara: “He’s like a huge, big, big, big brother.”
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
