This Superstar Just Signed a Long Term Extension with Playoff Hopefuls

Barzal is coming off a year in which he finished with 59 points in 73 games played. The bright spot to this statline is that this was considered a down year for Barzal, as it was for a majority of the Islanders' players.

Barzal has 311 points (91 G, 220 A) in 362 games played. He typically hovers around 10-13% shot percentage, but was only at 9.3% last season.

He is entering his prime and Islanders wanted to lock him up before he reached that full potential.

The Islanders are playoff hopefuls and look to make a run for the Metropolitan Division crown following a 2021-22 campaign that included a 13-game away streak to start the year (Covid-19 restrictions), plenty of hits from the Covid bug, and the firing of big name coach, Barry Trotz.

Mathew Barzal was expected to play a large role in that prior to the extension. This deal just solidifies that role for him even more.