Pageau, Islanders Excited About Fit

Jean-Gabriel Pageau didn't play a game for the New York Islanders before signing a six-year extension with the team on Monday afternoon.
Pageau, who was acquired on Monday morning for conditional picks, based his decision off reputation. He took note of the Islanders roster, coaching staff, and position in the playoff race and was excited to sign long term, replacing the mixed emotions of leaving Ottawa with excitement to arrive on Long Island.

"I have heard only good things about the Islanders," Pageau said in his introductory conference call on Monday. "To have the chance to be joining the team, it's such an honor for me. I couldn't be more excited to be on a team that's going to be competing every year for a playoff spot and for a championship. I couldn't be more excited as a player. That's what we play for and that's what drives us and that's why I'm excited to play for them."

Pageau was one of the top players available at this year's extremely active trade deadline, as the Sens center is in the midst of a career year. Pageau had 40 points, including a career-high 24 goals, in 60 games with a struggling Senators team. The Ottawa native is three points shy of his career-high, set during the 2015-16 season. Pageau's 24 goals tops the Islanders' leaderboard.
Of course, Pageau was the second-most used center in Ottawa, averaging 19:18 TOI/GP, and will likely be asked to fill a different role. Given the Isles strong center depth with Mathew Barzal, Brock Nelson and the currently-injured Casey Cizikas, Pageau will likely be slotted in as the team's third-line center.
TRADE DEADLINE 2020
WRITTEN COVERAGE
Islanders Acquire Pageau
Pageau Signs Six-Year Extension
7 Facts: JG Pageau
Isles Acquire Schmaltz From Toronto
Isles DTD: Clutterbuck and Ladd Recalled
NHL Trade Tracker
"With Mat, Brock, Pageau and Casey, I think it solidifies down the middle for a good period of time," Islanders President and General Manager Lou Lamoriello said. "We felt with our lineup to solidify down the middle we needed a center-ice man, in particular a right shot. There were very few and far between. When you're looking at a center, you try and get a complete player that can play in all situations. Certainly this young man fit the bill."
The 27-year-old's presence helps reorder the Islanders lineup, giving Head Coach Barry Trotz more roster flexibility. The Islanders' coach has preferred Derick Brassard on the wing and the addition of Pageau - who was teammates with Brassard for two years in Ottawa - helps facilitate the move. Pageau can also shift Josh Bailey back to the wing and add some offensive punch, as well as a 53.2 face-off percentage, to the third line.
"I'll take the role they give me, whatever role it is and take it seriously," Pageau said. "My heart is going to go to the Isles and I'm going to give it my all."
The move benefits both team and player, as Pageau vaults from the bottom of the Eastern Conference right into the thick of a playoff push, as the Isles currently occupy the first Wild Card. Pageau has some playoff experience and was part of the 2017 Senators' run to the Eastern Conference final.

Lamoriello said he feels Pageau will be able to step in and help the Islanders immediately and that his style of play should fit in easily. Like with the Andy Greene acquisition, Lamoriello was searching for players that fit the Islanders' system.
"The addition today is a player who fits right in in terms of who we are, the way we play and the style we play, I don't think there will be much of an adjustment period for him," Lamoriello said. "We've certainly watched him enough, played against him, our coaches know. Without question, there were holes that we were able to fill with players that wouldn't take any period of time to adjust."
Pageau is en route to Long Island and is hoping to be ready to play in the Islanders-Rangers game on Tuesday night, pending official paperwork. Pageau doesn't know much about Long Island, but was well-aware that Isles-Rangers is a big deal.
He'll find out more soon enough, as the new center is here for the long haul - and is excited about it.