According to Jeff Marek on the 32 Thoughts podcast, the New York Islanders are seriously considering a buyout of veteran center J.G. Pageau’s contract.
For Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello, this is a classic case of the devil you know versus the devil you don’t. Pageau is a heart-and-soul player, a leader on and off the ice. But with the Islanders in a salary cap crunch, tough decisions must be made.
Pageau Buyout Analysis: A Cap-Crunched Islanders’ Calculated Risk
A buyout would free up much-needed cap space in the short term, but it would also leave the Islanders with a significant dead cap hit for the next four years. It’s a gamble, but one Lamoriello may feel is necessary to give his team the flexibility to make other moves.
Pageau Salary Cap Hit Calculations
| SEASON | INITIAL BASE SALARY | INITIAL CAP HIT | BUYOUT COST | POST-BUYOUT EARNINGS | SAVINGS | CAP HIT (NYI) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | $4,000,000 | $5,000,000 | $1,250,000 | $1,250,000 | $2,750,000 | $2,250,000 |
| 2025-26 | $3,500,000 | $5,000,000 | $1,250,000 | $1,250,000 | $2,250,000 | $2,750,000 |
| 2026-27 | $0 | $0 | $1,250,000 | $1,250,000 | -$1,250,000 | $1,250,000 |
| 2027-28 | $0 | $0 | $1,250,000 | $1,250,000 | -$1,250,000 | $1,250,000 |
| TOTAL | $7,500,000 | $10,000,000 | $5,000,000 | $5,000,000 | $2,500,000 | $7,500,000 |
The potential Pageau buyout is a complex issue with no easy answers. It’s a high-stakes gamble that could pay off big for the Islanders if Lamoriello plays his cards right. Or it could backfire spectacularly.
Stay Updated with the Latest NHL News
For the latest New York Islanders news, join our online hockey pool, and find out what channel the Islanders game is on TV today, visit our website nhltraderumor.com. Add us to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletter below to stay in the loop!
