The New York Islanders’ playoff push is about to receive a big boost. According to the team’s general manager Lou Lamoriello, All-Star forward Mathew Barzal was cleared to resume skating and is expected to be back in the lineup sooner than later.

Barzal hasn’t played since mid-February after suffering a lower-body injury in a 6-2 loss to the Boston Bruins. The Islanders initially designated him as “week-to-week,” but the 25-year-old ended up missing more time than expected.

“How long it takes, I couldn’t tell you, but he will begin skating either today or tomorrow. We’ll just go from there,” Lamoriello told reporters when asked about Barzal’s status.

Despite being out for a month and a half, Barzal remains second on the Islanders in points with 14 goals and 37 assists.

While the NY Islanders managed to weather Mathew Barzal’s absence quite well, going 11-6-2 in his absence, there is no doubt that his return will mean a lot for the team. They are currently holding a wild-card spot in their hands, but have the Florida Panthers and the Pittsburgh Penguins breathing down their neck.

Barzal was drafted 16th overall by the Islanders in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut during the 2016-17 season and 362 points in 420 career games. He signed an eight-year, $73.2 million contract extension with the franchise last offseason.

The post NY Islanders’ All-Star Forward Mathew Barzal Cleared to Resume Skating appeared first on SportzBonanza.

After making a surprising run to the Conference Finals this season, New York Islanders hope they can even go a step further in 2019/20. However, in order to do so, they know they will have to make an effort to retain their core players.

Speaking with reporters earlier this week, Islanders’ general manager Lou Lamoriello said that the organizations will make an effort to re-sign all of their top free agents this offseason and believes this is a doable task.

“Right now, all I’m doing is focusing in on communication with each and every one of our restricted free agents and also unrestricted free agents and seeing exactly what we can get done,” said Lamoriello. “We did not have any communication during the playoffs intentionally, and right now we’re talking.”

“I feel that we’ll get all our players signed in due time,” he added.

The most notable of the pack is All-Star Mathew Barzal, who is entering the restricted free agency. Barzal has first led the team in the regular season with  19 goals and 41 assists (60 points) before adding 17 points (five goals, 12 assists) in the postseason. He will be also the most challenging to keep, as he’ll most likely command top money for his services.

Defenseman duo Ryan Pulock and Devon Toews are also set to become restricted free agents, while defenseman Andy Greene, forwards Matt Martin, Tom Kuhnhackl and Derick Brassard, and goalkeeper Thomas Greiss enter unrestricted free agency.

Islanders’ position becomes even tougher, considering they are already dealing with a tight budget. But that won’t stop Lamoriello from giving his best to keep the talented squad together.

“Right now, we’re focusing on trying to keep our team together,” he concluded.

The post Islanders Confident They Can Re-Sign All-Star Mathew Barzal and Other Free Agents appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The New York Islanders’ playoff push is about to receive a big boost. According to the team’s general manager Lou Lamoriello, All-Star forward Mathew Barzal was cleared to resume skating and is expected to be back in the lineup sooner than later.

Barzal hasn’t played since mid-February after suffering a lower-body injury in a 6-2 loss to the Boston Bruins. The Islanders initially designated him as “week-to-week,” but the 25-year-old ended up missing more time than expected.

“How long it takes, I couldn’t tell you, but he will begin skating either today or tomorrow. We’ll just go from there,” Lamoriello told reporters when asked about Barzal’s status.

Despite being out for a month and a half, Barzal remains second on the Islanders in points with 14 goals and 37 assists.

While the NY Islanders managed to weather Mathew Barzal’s absence quite well, going 11-6-2 in his absence, there is no doubt that his return will mean a lot for the team. They are currently holding a wild-card spot in their hands, but have the Florida Panthers and the Pittsburgh Penguins breathing down their neck.

Barzal was drafted 16th overall by the Islanders in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut during the 2016-17 season and 362 points in 420 career games. He signed an eight-year, $73.2 million contract extension with the franchise last offseason.

The post NY Islanders’ All-Star Forward Mathew Barzal Cleared to Resume Skating appeared first on SportzBonanza.

After making a surprising run to the Conference Finals this season, New York Islanders hope they can even go a step further in 2019/20. However, in order to do so, they know they will have to make an effort to retain their core players.

Speaking with reporters earlier this week, Islanders’ general manager Lou Lamoriello said that the organizations will make an effort to re-sign all of their top free agents this offseason and believes this is a doable task.

“Right now, all I’m doing is focusing in on communication with each and every one of our restricted free agents and also unrestricted free agents and seeing exactly what we can get done,” said Lamoriello. “We did not have any communication during the playoffs intentionally, and right now we’re talking.”

“I feel that we’ll get all our players signed in due time,” he added.

The most notable of the pack is All-Star Mathew Barzal, who is entering the restricted free agency. Barzal has first led the team in the regular season with  19 goals and 41 assists (60 points) before adding 17 points (five goals, 12 assists) in the postseason. He will be also the most challenging to keep, as he’ll most likely command top money for his services.

Defenseman duo Ryan Pulock and Devon Toews are also set to become restricted free agents, while defenseman Andy Greene, forwards Matt Martin, Tom Kuhnhackl and Derick Brassard, and goalkeeper Thomas Greiss enter unrestricted free agency.

Islanders’ position becomes even tougher, considering they are already dealing with a tight budget. But that won’t stop Lamoriello from giving his best to keep the talented squad together.

“Right now, we’re focusing on trying to keep our team together,” he concluded.

The post Islanders Confident They Can Re-Sign All-Star Mathew Barzal and Other Free Agents appeared first on SportzBonanza.