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SAN JOSE, Calif. — Jean-Gabriel Pageau never anticipated that Mathieu Darche would be open to discussing a contract extension during the season, given Darche’s earlier indications that it was unlikely.
Nevertheless, Pageau was delighted to engage in those talks and is overjoyed to have secured his future with the Islanders for the next three years. His new contract, finalized over the past week, guarantees him an annual salary of $4.85 million.
“Having a family, you never quite know where you might end up, so it was a relief to know we’re staying put,” Pageau shared before the Islanders clinched a 2-1 overtime victory against the Sharks on Saturday night. “We’re extremely happy with the outcome. This is where we wanted to be, continuing our mission to make the playoffs and beyond.”
Originally from Ottawa, Pageau spent the first eight years of his NHL career with the Senators before being traded to the Islanders in February 2020. On Saturday, he expressed that Long Island now “feels like home.”
“We love everything about it,” he remarked. “Not just the teammates and the organization, but the fans as well. Their unwavering support, whether in victory or defeat, is incredible. The people here are genuinely kind, and it makes us want to be a part of this community.”
Neither he nor Brayden Schenn — acquired at Friday’s trade deadline — have any concerns either about their similar skill sets being redundant.
“What I know about his game is when you’re playing him on a night, you’re not gonna get an easy night,” Schenn said. “He’s strong in the faceoff dot, he plays hard defense, he’s all over you.”
The only forward line that remained intact from Thursday night was Pageau’s with Anders Lee and Simon Holmstrom.
Emil Heineman moved to the top line with Bo Horvat centering him and Mathew Barzal. Cal Ritchie shifted to wing on the second line, with Schenn at center and Ondrej Palat on the opposite wing.
Anthony Duclair came back into the lineup to play on the fourth line to the left side of Casey Cizikas and Marc Gatcomb, while Kyle MacLean drew out as a healthy scratch.
“It’s not too different,” Ritchie said of playing wing. “I think, obviously, if you’re first back in the D-zone, you’re still the low guy and things like that. For me that doesn’t change too much of my game, to be honest. That just means less faceoffs and [Schenn’s] one of the best faceoff guys in the league.”
Holmstrom switched to No. 92 to accommodate Schenn, who kept the No. 10 he’s worn his entire career.
“It cost me a little bit,” Schenn said.