NY Islanders sign Hudson Fasching to a two-year contract

When the NY Islanders signed Hudson Fasching last offseason, no one batted an eye at the deal.

Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello brought Fasching to Long Island on a league minimum contract for one year that paid him $750K. Zach Parise aside, Fasching became the Islanders' next best value contract, bringing an element of energy to the Islanders they haven't seen since their fourth line of Matt Martin, Casey Cizikas, and Cal Clutterbuck were in their primes.

As a result, on Monday the Islanders announced that Fasching has been rewarded by signing a two-year contract extension with the Islanders, worth $775K per year according to Ethan Sears of the NY Post.

The contract must have been inked as soon as their lockers were cleared out. Monday morning was the Islanders' clean-out day as their 2022-23 season came to an end. When asked, Fasching told the media he wanted to stay with the Islanders, a trend among the pending unrestricted free agents.

"I love playing here," Fashcing explained. "I love being here and they gave me the opportunity. So we'll try to figure that out at a later date."

What he meant was a later time because the contract was announced at 5:10 EST of the same day.

Fasching totaled career highs in goals (10), assists (9), and points (19), all while playing a career-high 49 games this season.

Fasching played up and down the lineup this season whether he was next to Mathew Barzal, Brock Nelson, J.G. Pageau, or Cizikas. Fasching made his mark as a high-energy player who although isn't the most skilled is an effective, high-energy grinder that has the knack for coming through in timely manners.

The Islanders are aiming to inject their lineup with younger, faster talent, and Fasching certainly checks those boxes. He'll likely remain an effective bottom-six player, one that encompasses the Islanders' identity.