Rumor: New York Islanders to Announce New Contract for Veteran Forward

The New York Islanders paid a pretty penny at the trade deadline to acquire both Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac from the New Jersey Devils. While Palmieri waits for a contract, word is Zajac will be signing his any day now to stay on Long Island.

While it didn't go as planned for Zajac after the trade, he obviously showed enough to be considered for a bottom-six role next season. In 2020-21 the veteran center finished with 20 points in 46 games and two more points in 14 postseason games. Not the type of production we are used to seeing from Zajac as he's only two years removed from a 46-point season. 

Last season the 36-year-old made $5.75 million and it's a Billy Guerin-tee his next deal won't be even close to that amount of money. Expect to see the pivot sign for a one-year deal, coming in around $1 million on the cap. In typical Lou Lamoriello fashion, we now wait for the announcement as he loves to control the timing of everything.

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