Backchecking: Moulson Says YES to the Island! Signs Extension!

Breaking news: The Islanders did something good. Actually they did something very good. They signed a free agent. Not only did they sign a free agent, they did not, in my opinion have to overpay him to stay on Long Island. Today, Garth Snow and Charles Wang spared Islander Country from wondering and worrying about Matt Moulson for the next 4 weeks, as they were able to come to terms with the top-line wing.

Moulson signed a deal worth $9.4 million for the next 3 seasons. In what I had figured would be a deal in the neighborhood of $3.5-$4 million per season, Moulson apparently gave the Isles a “hometown” discount of sorts by coming in at about $3.13 million per season for the next three years. Currently the wing earns $2.45 million so this is still a nice raise for the leader of the “Scrapheap” boys.

According to Katie Strang of Newsday, it is believed that Matt Moulson had zero intention of testing the free agent market. He wanted to remain with the Islanders all along.

Considering the language and disrespect coming from Nabokov earlier this week, as well as the dejecting commentary by some in the hockey world about coming to play for our Isles and being a part of Long Island — this is refreshing to say the least. No place is perfect, and the team and franchise has its issues, but sometimes it almost seems that people are trashing our “home” rather then just the team (which is bad enough).

It is unfortunate that only Michael Grabner is going to this weeks All Star festivities. Certainly John Tavares, and the new long term addition, Matt Moulson of the Islanders are deserving of representing the Isles in North Carolina.

In what has been a difficult year for the Islanders, this positive news is welcome! Enjoy it Isles fans. We deserve it!