Barzal on Isles Extension: 'I Love It Here'

There were plenty of emotions swirling for Mathew Barzal as
his eight-year deal to stay with the New York Islanders
was announced Tuesday.
"There's so much excitement," Barzal said. "It's one of those days you're never going to forget. I called my parents last night when I got done, and anytime your mom's got a tear in her eye, it means you've either done something really good or something really bad. It's a special day for me and my family."
The Islanders drafted Barzal 16th overall in 2015. In the 2017-18 season, Barzal won the Calder Trophy, scoring 85 points. Barzal has led, or co-led, the Islanders in scoring every year since that Calder-winning season, with 91 goals and 220 assists in 362 career games.

Last year, Barzal, 25, recorded 59 points (15 goals, 44 assists) in 73 games in 2021-22 during his fifth NHL season with the Islanders, tied for the team lead in points with Brock Nelson.

With the new deal, Barzal committed to playing the bulk of his career on Long Island.
"I love it here, I genuinely do," Barzal said. "Anyone who's played here knows it's one of the top places to play in the league. The lifestyle is elite, I have loved it here literally every minute. There's no place I'd rather be."
Last summer, the Islanders signed both Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock to eight-year extensions. Barzal is the third current Islander to sign an eight-year deal, and other core players like captain Anders Lee are also signed to long-term deals. Having the core players locked in is exciting because of the strong bond between the players in the locker room, Barzal said.
Barzal said the fan support he received in his time as an Islander was also a big part of his decision to sign the long-term contract.
"I absolutely love the fans here," Barzal said. "They're seriously so unique, they're one of a kind. Everyone is just such a diehard Islander fan, I love it. I've felt the support the last six years. If it was different, maybe my mindset would have been different in the negotiations, but they've given me so much love and support. That plays a huge part in it. The fans being so supportive, they really wanted me to stay here and win for them."

Barzal still has one year remaining on the three-year contract he signed in 2020, but he and the team elected to sign his extension this offseason instead of waiting another year for a long-term deal. The Islanders did the same with Ryan Pulock last offseason.
Lamoriello said he wanted to finish the deal before the season started, as he felt extending negotiations during the season would be a distraction. For Barzal, signing the contract early allows him focus and peace of mind for next season.
"It was important for my mindset," Barzal said. "Anytime you go into that year and want to prove yourself and to sign that big deal, but it's a lot of individualistic thoughts, throughout the year you're playing mostly for yourself. I'm so glad I can get this done and play for the team and just commit to winning."
After signing the deal, Barzal said his only focus is on winning, and bringing a Stanley Cup back to Long Island. In his time on Long Island, the Islanders have made the playoffs three times, and Barzal recorded 13 goals and 25 assists in 49 career playoff games.

"I want to be the best player I can be, and be one of the top players in the league and be that guy for this organization," Barzal said. "I think it really comes down to just winning."
Lamoriello said previously at the team golf outing that he is Barzal's biggest fan, and Barzal expressed similar sentiments about Lamoriello early in training camp. Both parties said negotiations were calm over the summer, and lasted about two months.
Now, the team and the fanbase can rest easy, knowing Barzal will remain an Islander for years to come.
"When you have someone that you've drafted, he plays his whole career here, certainly it is something special," Lamoriello said. "It's very special to the fans. It's a message to the fans that this is a great location to play when a player like (Barzal) makes that decision."