Friday, February 22, 2013
New contract for Streit?
By Victoria Matiash
UPDATE: According to a Swiss news outlet, as relayed by Islanders Point Blank, Mark Streit is looking to sign a three-year, $10-million extension with the New York Islanders. The 35-year-old defenseman is in the final year of a five-year, $20.5 million deal.
There's also word Streit has been playing with a chronic knee injury, of which the Islanders are said to be well aware.
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The New York Islanders may not have to appoint a new captain for a while yet. The squad appears in position to secure Mark Streit with an extension before he becomes a free agent this summer.
Newsday's Arthur Staple reports the Islanders and Streit's reps have been chatting.
"... Streit's agents at CAA and Islanders general manager Garth Snow have had some preliminary talks on an extension, Newsday has learned. The Islanders still are painfully thin on NHL-ready defensemen, so Streit, who has had some struggles in his own zone, still would be welcome to return on a short-term deal beyond this season ..."
Which would suit the 35-year-old defenseman just fine.
"The fact is I like it here. We have a really good team," said Streit. "I've been here five years and I have a really good role, I love the room and I can tell the improvement is here the last few years. It's maybe 5 percent we're missing to break through. Overall, I'd like to stay."
Even if the Isles plummet down the standings, Lubomir Visnovsky would make the more logical choice to move ahead of the trade deadline. Also in the final year of his current contract, Visnovsky took his sweet time in joining the Isles this lockout-shortened season. But the veteran blueliner could have great value as a playoff rental for another squad if that situation presents itself.
