The Islanders eliminated the Florida Panthers and advanced to the Round of 16 in this year’s bubble-enclosed NHL playoffs thanks in large part to the efforts of trade deadline acquisition Jean-Gabriel Pageau, who had three goals in four games and whose solid defensive play fits right into coach Barry Trotz’s ethos.
That fit extends off the ice, too, where Pageau has gained Islanders Legend status in almost record time. He signed a long contract extension right after the trade, says all of the right things when asked about his new mates and even won the team’s ping pong tournament, played in the spacious confines of their floor at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto, right near Scotiabank Arena.