According to a recent update, the impending Mathew Barzal contract could be team-friendly, allowing him to stay on Long Island.

After the Islanders signed Ryan Pulock on Wednesday, the team has $3.9 million in cap space remaining (according to capfriendly.com). The Islanders will likely have to clear up more cap space in order to sign star Mathew Barzal.

However, Andrew Gross reported that Barzal might take a team-friendly deal. According to Gross, Pulock and Barzal spoke in the summer about having deals that worked for the team. They agreed that they wanted to do their part to keep the current group of players together.

But Pulock’s $5 million suggests they still want the money they deserve. Therefore, the Mathew Barzal contract will likely give him more than the $3.9 million the Isles have left. Someone will have to go.

The trade market has been the most probable avenue to save money. Players like Johnny Boychuk have been rumored to be on the move to free up cap space. For comparison, Marc Staal was dealt along with a second-round pick, to Detroit for future considerations (essentially, nothing). Supporters of the Devon Toews trade have noted that the Islanders need the draft capital to entice a team to take on Boychuk’s contract.

But there have been signings of similar players to Barzal around the league. They suggest the Isles won’t have to move much cap to sign their star center.

Earlier this week, Detroit Red Wings forward Anthony Mantha signed a four-year contract with an average annual value of $5.7 million. The 2013 first-round pick had 38 points in 43 games this season on a Red Wings team that finished in last place overall. He was on pace to score .88 points per game, his the most in his career, this year.

Similarly, former Islanders draft pick and current New York Ranger Ryan Strome signed a two-year contract, which pays him $4.5 million per season. Strome scored 59 points in 70 games, the most in his seven seasons in the NHL.

Previously, Andrew Gross told Drive4Five that he expects the Mathew Barzal contract to be for two years at $14 million. But his point per game totals were nearly identical to Mantha’s this season. Even shedding $1 million can make a huge difference for the Islanders in a flat cap year where every dollar is precious.

Ben Baruch

Born and raised on Long Island. Isles fan since 2009. Studying journalism at the University of Maryland, College Park.