Islanders settle with Matt Moulson

The Islanders avoided arbitration with 26-year-old winger Matt Moulson, reaching a one-year deal worth $2.45 million.

The two sides met this morning in Toronto before Moulson's hearing and hammered out a last-minute deal for the 30-goal-scorer.

Moulson said he was feeling tense while waiting in the hallway as both sides plugged away and was relieved when an agreement was reached minutes before the scheduled 9 a.m hearing.

"I was excited. We figured that if something was going to get done it would be this morning," Moulson said when reached by phone Tuesday morning. "I wanted to be back on the Island."

By reaching a last-minute deal, the two sides were able to avoid an arbitration hearing and resolve the situation immediately.

"I let the agents and the GM deal with all the numbers and stuff. I just want to play hockey and win the Cup," Moulson said. "You try not to take things personally and remember that it is a business. From the GM's perspective, he's trying to get the player for a good price and the agent is just trying to get as much as he can for his client... it's an interesting process. I think we reached a good number. Everything worked out, everyone was happy, and it was great for both sides. That was neat to see."

And as for his breakout season this year, Moulson is hell-bent on making sure it's not a one-time-thing.

"I think a lot of people want to see me do what I did last year again this year and I'm prepared for that. I entered this [off-season] with a different mindset and have been using that that to kind of fuel me."

Moulson, who turns 27 in November and will become an unrestricted free agent after this year, said his goal is to improve upon last year's success and score 40 goals this season.