Islanders Lock Up Pageau

The Islanders originally acquired Jean-Gabriel Pageau from the Ottawa Senators at the trade deadline on February 24, 2020. The deal cost them a 2020 first-round pick, a 2020 second-round pick, and a conditional third-round pick in 2022. He immediately signed a six-year, $30 million contract upon his arrival. Pageau has been a consistent two-way force for New York. Over 424 games with the team, he has produced 86 goals and 127 assists for 213 points. His offensive production averages out to roughly 41 points over a full 82-game season. This extension carries him through his age-36 season, a point of discussion for a player known for his high-energy style. A key aspect of Pageau's value lies in his dominance at the faceoff dot. He is frequently among the league leaders in faceoff win percentage, ranking fourth in the NHL at 60.1% this season among players with at least 500 draws. His career average over the last five years is a stellar 57.2%. On special teams, Pageau is indispensable. He leads all Islanders forwards in short-handed time on ice per game (2:35) and is a vital component of their penalty kill structure. During the 2023-24 season, his five short-handed assists were the second-most in the entire NHL. This new contract, with a slightly lower cap hit of $4.85M compared to his previous $5M, fits into the Islanders' future plans as the NHL's salary cap is projected to rise. Without accounting for other extensions, the Islanders are projected to have significant cap space in the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons, allowing for flexibility around their core players. The signing solidifies the Islanders' center depth for the foreseeable future, alongside Bo Horvat, Mathew Barzal, and the recently acquired Brayden Schenn. General Manager Mathieu Darche noted the high market value for centers and prioritized retaining Pageau rather than losing him to free agency.