New York Islanders sign veteran forward Jay Pandolfo to one-year deal -NHL News Update
Having spent the last season out of the National Hockey League (NHL), playing in the minor leagues with Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League (AHL), veteran forward, Jay Pandolfo got another chance by signing onto a one-year deal with New York
Islanders on Tuesday, October 4, 2011.
The deal did not come out suddenly because earlier when the teams’ training camps began, Pandolfo was invited to try out for a spot on the roster earlier in September, and by impressing the New York management, he secured a deal now.
A veteran of 14 seasons, Pandolfo spent his entire career with New Jersey Devils after being drafted by the team as the 32nd overall during round-two of the 1993 NHL Entry Draft.
It was after the 2009-2010 season ended that New Jersey decided to part ways with the 36-year-old player because of lacking performance and declining ability to put up numbers for the team.
"That was very unfortunate", Devils general manager, Lou Lamoriello, said. "That situation was unfortunate. But put that aside. There comes a time in everybody's career when things are not the way they used to be. The unfortunate thing is it's real. And
Jay is not the only player”.
When joining Islanders, Pandolfo was not sure about what the outcome would be and had retirement in the back of his mind, but luckily, everything worked out fine for the Winchester, Massachusetts native.
"I wasn't really positive of my chances", Pandolfo said. "I knew they'd give me some exhibition games; they followed through with everything they said. I just tried to do what I do and it ended up working out".
Pandolfo left the NHL as New Jersey decided to buyout the last year of his three-year contract worth an estimated $7.5 million, which made him an unrestricted free agent.
Coming out of deal which had him making $2.5 million annually, Jay Pandolfo will require time getting used to his new $600,000 salary, but on the brighter side, it is much better than not having any gig in the major league at all.
New York Islanders plan on seeing how valuable of a contribution Pandolfo can make over the next season, which will ultimately be the deciding factor in the players fate.
Tags: