Islanders News: Pelech sticks around, appreciation for Pageau

The New York Islanders finally have signed a player this summer, and it was probably the most important player for them to sign: Adam Pelech.

Now, they can get on with the rest of their off-season and announce all the other signings, right?

Islanders News

• So the Islanders signed Pelech. It was an eight-year deal with an AAV of $5.75 million that just makes me want to kiss GM Lou Lamoriello right on top of his bald head. [LHH | Islanders | Newsday | TSN]
• He was “thrilled” to sign long-term and said that “this is where [he] want[s] to be,” and he said his teammates think the same thing. [Islanders | Newsday]
• Given how good he is, that deal is a steal. [Empire]
• Once again, that was the first official move for the Isles this summer. Lou moves in silence, and there are moves yet to be made. [The Athletic]
• The Bridgeport mayor hopes to strike a deal with the B-Isles to keep them in the city for the next ten years. Their arena needs some love, though. [CT Post]
• Jean-Gabriel Pageau won the 2020-21 Bob Nystrom Award, and it’s tough to argue with that conclusion. [Islanders]
• This (Yester)Day in Isles History: The Islanders eliminated the Florida Panthers in the Qualifying Round of the Bubble Playoffs with a 5-1 win in Game 4 (2020).
• This (To)Day in Isles History: Pageau, still a relative newbie to the Isles, came out for the bubble ping-pong tournament and threw off his robe to win the whole thing (2020).
• WATCH: The NHL compiled every batted-in goal this season, and both Pageau and Mathew Barzal appeared twice. Barzy’s Game 4 winner against the Boston Bruins closed out the 10-minute video. [NHL]

Elsewhere

• Just hours after the Pelech deal was announced, the Edmonton Oilers announced that they gave Darnell Nurse an enormous contract, making Pelech’s deal look even better. [TSN | Edmonton Journal]
• The Arizona Coyotes hired long-time St. Louis Blues executive Larry Pleau as a senior advisor to the GM. [Coyotes]
• A lawyer for two victims of Brad Aldrich, including one former member of the Chicago Blackhawks, formally has requested that the U.S. Center for SafeSport investigate ‘Hawks GM Stan Bowman, who is also the GM for Team USA Hockey. [TSN]
• We’ve heard loads about how players in this generation don’t take off during the summer the way that they did in our parents’ generation. The same is true of coaching staffs, now. [Sportsnet]