The New York Islanders locked up one of their key restricted free agents today when they agreed on a new two-year contract with Ryan Pulock, but still have one big item on their offseason to-do list. That’s a new contract for Mathew Barzal, who is a restricted free agent without arbitration rights and is in line for a huge raise.
Perhaps not as big as one might expect though. Pulock, speaking to reporters today including Andrew Gross of Newsday, explained that he and Barzal have spoken throughout the offseason and are trying to take deals that work for them and the Islanders, in the hopes that their current core can stay together. Still, it’s not like Pulock took a huge discount on his deal, which walks him straight to free agency at age-27 and carries a $5MM AAV. Barzal, who led the Islanders with 60 points during the regular season, is arguably the most important skater on the team and should command quite the salary.
- Dmytro Timashov is the final unsigned restricted free agent for the Detroit Red Wings and still isn’t sure where he’s going to spend next season. Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reports that Timashov is still considering his options but a return to Detroit is possible. The 24-year-old forward was claimed off waivers from the Toronto Maple Leafs at the end of February and played in five games for Detroit down the stretch.
- As expected, both Marcus Davidsson and Jonathan Davidsson have joined Vasterviks IK after some recent transactions made them available for a reunion. Jonathan Davidsson required a loan from the Ottawa Senators given he is under contract, while Marcus Davidsson recently terminated his contract with Vaxjo in the SHL.
Barzy is whack