By extending forward Kyle MacLean’s contract by three years, the New York Islanders have taken care of their first off-season business. After a brief stint back in Bridgeport, the 25-year-old has been a mainstay in the Islanders lineup since making his NHL debut in late January. The amount MacLean will receive is still unknown, as is the fact that he will stay with the Islanders for the next three seasons. This is in keeping with Lou Lamoriello’s habit of keeping other general managers around the league in the dark about his earnings.
MacLean had a productive season for the Islanders, appearing in 32 games and registering four goals and five assists. Casey Cizikas was able to see action in different roles because to his fourth-line status, and he eventually settled in on the top wing with Bo Horvat and Mat Barzal. MacLean’s most memorable performance of the year was in the playoffs, when he scored the first goal of his career and the first goal of the Islanders’ postseason in Game 1, tying the score at one in a 3-1 loss.
Captain Anders Lee remarked, “He’s settling into the group more and more and feeling good about it” when asked about MacLean. “He has earned this opportunity and deserves to be here. You won’t be retained unless you’ve proven yourself worthy of the call-up. His presence and presence in the room are very appreciated, and it’s enjoyable to observe his growing comfort level. After signing MacLean and Cizikas to three-year contracts, Roy must now choose between playing both of them on the fourth line and moving one to the wing, or promoting Cizikas to the third line. There has been much speculation about trading for a top-6 forward, and the fate of JG Pageau with the Islanders is a major factor in this speculation.
