Jean-Gabriel Pageau started his Islanders career just as the team went into a 0-3-4 slide that led smack into the NHL’s COVID-19 shutdown.
No one seriously tied the slump directly to the player – although teammates did good-naturedly rib him about the coincidence as the team prepared to resume play.
But still, there was some pressure on Pageau to produce given that the cost of securing him included high draft picks in a trade and $30 million over six years on a contract.
Now that the Islanders are seven games into their first playoff run with Pageau aboard, the logic behind his acquisition and generous contract is taking shape.