Mathew Barzal agreed to a three-year contract with the New York Islanders on Saturday. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The 23-year-old center, who was a restricted free agent, led the Islanders with 60 points (19 goals, 41 assists) in 68 games last season and scored 17 points (five goals, 12 assists) in 22 Stanley Cup Playoff games; New York advanced to the Eastern Conference Final, losing to the eventual Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning in six games.
"I think it's pretty clear that I love it on [Long] Island," Barzal said, "so the thought that maybe I wanted to go somewhere else … I mean, I don't even think anyone was really thinking that because of how much publicly [I've said] I love being here. It's a fun place to be and a fun place to play, so none of those thoughts, frustration, ever really started to sink in.
"I would have had no problem signing a long-term deal. ... but at the end of the day I think both sides came to a deal that we were happy on. It's what fits right now and now we just turn the page and the next three years try to win a Stanley Cup."
Selected by New York in the first round (No. 16) of the 2015 NHL Draft, Barzal has scored 207 points (59 goals, 148 assists) in 234 regular-season games and 24 points (seven goals, 17 assists) in 30 playoff games.
"I think personally, as much as signing a new deal and obviously it's more than my rookie contract, but my expectation's the same thing, just give it my best and work hard," Barzal said. "Now being paid a substantial amount, I know consistency's a huge thing; there's no nights off. I'm really going to make that a key in my next three years, is to really just be consistent and just work hard and move my feet at all times.
"I think for the team, the same thing goes. We were close last year; we had a taste of how close we can get [to] playing in a Stanley Cup Final and I think that it didn't set well with us afterwards. I think we're all excited just to get back and get back in that competitive atmosphere. Every game this year is going to mean something, so I think that benefits our group."
Barzal, who has led the Islanders in scoring in each of his three NHL seasons, won the Calder Trophy voted as rookie of the year in 2017-18 when he scored 85 points (22 goals, 63 assists) in 82 games. He played in the NHL All-Star Game each of the past two seasons.
"[Barzal] is a special guy, a special player," Islanders captain Anders Lee said. "He's always got something great to say and he's always got some great play to make. He brings it every day, he's fun to be around and he's just someone that cares deeply about not only his game, but the guys around him. I think that's what makes him a special person. He's the cornerstone of our team a little bit here, so his play dictates a lot for us. He's one of those guys that can really change the game on a dime."
Coach Barry Trotz said he was glad to see Barzal on the ice during practice Saturday and is looking forward to helping him realize his potential.
"My goal is to make Mathew Barzal the best player he can possibly be, and that's on both sides of the puck," Trotz said. "I can't do and teach some of the stuff that he's capable of, [but] at the same time, hopefully I can help him from a standpoint of a team concept offensively and defensively how he can have the puck more, be more productive and be an even more important player than he already is for us.
"He's a terrific young man and he's got an abundance of skill. He can be as good as he wants to be. We're thrilled to have him, I'm thrilled to have him. I know the guys were hooting and hollering today and he had lots of jump today."
NHL.com deputy managing editor Brian Compton contributed to this report
