Barzal agrees to 3-year contract, back on ice with Islanders
Mathew Barzal couldn’t wait to practice again. Yes, practice.
He left home to get to New York despite not having a contract so he’d be ready for the start of the season, then watched as Islanders teammates enjoyed the first few days of training camp without him.
“I love the game, and I was anxious,” he said. “I wanted to get out with the boys.”
Barzal finally got that opportunity Saturday after agreeing to a $21 million, threeyear contract. It ended some anxious times for Islanders fans five days before the season opener against the rival Rangers, even though Barzal and team brass weren’t worried about the NHL’s most prominent unsigned restricted free agent.
The 23-year-old star forward said there was “never any frustration” about negotiations. General manager Lou Lamoriello voiced confidence a deal would get done in time. It’s short enough that Barzal will still be a year away from unrestricted free agency when it expires but long enough to cover some of his prime years.
“This is nothing that my agent or Lou or really the league has had to deal with,” Barzal said. “It’s unfortunate times, but at the end of the day, I think both sides came to a deal that we were happy on and it’s what fits right now. Now we just turn the page and next three years try to win a Stanley Cup.”
Barzal led the Islanders with 60 points on 19 goals and 41 assists in 68 games last season. The 2015 first-round pick had 17 points in 22 playoff games during their run to the Eastern Conference final and has become New York’s best offensive player.
“He’s the cornerstone of our team here a little bit,” captain Anders Lee said. “He’s one of those guys that can really change the game on a dime.”
Devils goalie Crawford retires
NEWARK, N.J. » Corey Crawford, who helped the Chicago Blackhawks win two Stanley Cups, retired Saturday less than three months after signing with the New Jersey Devils and less than a week before the start of the NHL season.
The 36-year-old goalie made the announcement after a week of speculation about his future.
He did not practice this week. Devils coach Lindy Ruff said the decision was for personal reasons.
“I have been fortunate to have had a long career playing professional hockey for a living,” Crawford said in a statement. “I wanted to continue my career, but believe I’ve given all I can to the game of hockey, and I have decided that it is time to retire.”
Crawford said playing in the NHL was a childhood dream and he was proud to have been a part of winning two Stanley Cups.
Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane called Crawford an exceptional player who always seemed in a good mood.
“Still feel that he’s playing at a really high level, going back to last year in the playoffs,” Kane said. “I guess just wish him all the best. Obviously, we’ll have conversations and talk to him, but sometimes there are bigger things than hockey.”
Crawford played in 10 NHL seasons and 488 regular-season games. He signed a twoyear, a $7.8 million contract as a free agent with the Devils in October.