Jean-Gabriel Pageau was one of the bigger names who got dealt ahead of the NHL’s trade deadline and he ended up going for a pretty hefty package.
Just over 24 hours after Pageau was traded to New York, the 27-year-old was in the Islanders’ lineup for his debut and it was a pretty good one despite the loss.
Pageau ended the night with a goal and even dropped the gloves, and his new head coach Barry Trotz had nothing but praise for him and his work ethic after the game.
“Here’s a player that, you know, we wanted him, we got him for the next six years. He’s impactful; you see how he changes our team in so many ways. You saw how he stepped up. I mean, what a great pick up by Lou [Lamoriello]. The picks are nothing. I can tell you that because a lot of picks never play,” said Trotz.
“He fits right in our hockey team. You saw the character; you saw how he plays, the smarts, all of that. He’s going to be impact for us.”
It’s pretty safe to say Pageau’s new head coach is a big fan of his even though he’s only played one game in an Islanders jersey.
In 428 games with the Ottawa Senators, Pageau scored 87 goals and 182 points.
(H/T Twitter/IslesBlog)
