New York Islanders forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau has agreed to a three-year contract extension with the team, the Islanders announced Wednesday. The deal, which begins with the 2026-27 season, secures the veteran center’s future with the club and provides stability as they navigate the remainder of the current NHL season. This commitment to Pageau comes after the Islanders bolstered their roster at the trade deadline with the addition of Brayden Schenn, signaling a push for playoff contention.
Pageau, 33, has been a consistent contributor for the Islanders since arriving in a trade with the Ottawa Senators in February 2020. This season, he has recorded 29 points (14 goals, 15 assists) in 55 games, leading the team in shorthanded points with six and shorthanded goals with three. He also boasts a team-best 23.3% shooting percentage and a 60.1% faceoff win percentage, ranking second in the NHL in shooting percentage among skaters with at least 50 shots on goal and fourth in faceoff winning percentage among players with at least 500 faceoffs taken this season, according to the team.
The Islanders acquired Pageau from the Senators on February 24, 2020, in exchange for a 2020 first-round pick, a 2020 second-round pick, and a 2022 third-round pick. At the time of the trade, he also signed a six-year contract with New York.
A Career Built on Two-Way Play
Over 852 career regular season games with the Ottawa Senators (2012-19) and the Islanders, Pageau has totaled 395 points (173 goals and 222 assists). He is a particularly effective penalty killer, with 24 shorthanded goals and 46 shorthanded points – the second-most among all active NHL players. Within the Islanders organization, he ranks fifth in franchise history in shorthanded points and is tied for tenth in shorthanded goals.
Pageau’s consistency at the faceoff dot is also noteworthy, having averaged over 50% on faceoff win percentage in each of the past 10 seasons, maintaining a 54.8% career average. His ability to win crucial draws has made him a valuable asset in all situations for both the Senators and the Islanders.
Playoff Experience and International Representation
Pageau has extensive playoff experience, having participated in 86 Stanley Cup Playoff games, tallying 43 points (24 goals and 19 assists) and recording two hat tricks. He played a significant role during the Islanders’ run to the Stanley Cup semifinal in 2020-21, registering 13 points (three goals and 10 assists) in 19 games. He has 27 points (12 goals and 15 assists) in 51 career postseason games with the Islanders.
Prior to his NHL career, Pageau honed his skills in the American Hockey League with the Binghamton Senators, where he played 142 games and accumulated 94 points (38 goals and 56 assists). He also excelled in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with the Gatineau Olympiques and Chicoutimi Saguenéens, averaging a point per game over three seasons, totaling 175 points (80 goals and 95 assists) in 175 games.
On the international stage, Pageau represented Canada at the 2018 IIHF Men’s World Championship, registering five points (one goal and four assists) and a +3 rating in 10 games.
What’s Next for Pageau and the Islanders?
With this contract extension secured, Pageau can now focus on contributing to the Islanders’ playoff push. The team will look to him to continue providing leadership, strong two-way play, and clutch performances down the stretch. The Islanders’ success in the coming seasons will likely depend, in part, on Pageau’s continued ability to excel in all facets of the game.
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