Islanders lock up Matt Moulson with three-year, $9.4 million deal

What an interesting week it's been for New York Islanders GM Garth Snow and his relationship with agent Don Meehan.

Over the weekend, Snow's waiver claim of Meehan client Evgeni Nabokov went belly-up when the veteran goaltender decided not to report to the team, causing the Islanders to suspend him indefinitely.

Thursday, on the heels the Nabokov mess, another Meehan client, Matt Moulson, re-signed with the Islanders, inking a three-year, $9.4 million deal through the 2013-14 season.

Rumors had popped up recently about Moulson's future and whether or not he'd join the list of budding Islanders stars that have left by trade or via free agency, but Moulson told Newsday's Katie Strang that he had no interest in hitting the open market this summer as an unrestricted free agent. 

From Newsday (sub. required):

"From the get go, I told both sides--my agent and [GM] Garth Snow-- where I wanted to be. I didn't want to go into free agency. So there was a commitment from both sides. I want to be a part of the group that turns this back into a winning franchise," Moulson said.

He also talked about his happiness playing for the Islanders organization:

"I think there are some things people don't know about this team," Moulson said. "I've told my agent and other people around the league about how we're treated, how they treat our families. [Team owner Charles Wang] and Snow are involved in everything and that filters down to everyone on the team."

"I don't know if I've ever played on as close-knit as a team as this one," Moulson continued. "That's what makes it so fun, once we get wins. The biggest thing for me is the guys. I don't want to be apart from this group."

Moulson is a great example of a low-risk, high-reward player looking at his career. In two seasons in the Los Angeles Kings' organization, Moulson spent most of his time with Manchester of the AHL. He signed a one-year deal with the Islanders in the summer of 2009 and in two seasons on Long Island has rewarded Snow's faith in him with 47 goals.

Last season, Moulson earned himself a $2.45 million deal for this season after a 30-goal performance. Now on pace to do it again, Moulson's hard work had paid off for him and this signing shows that Snow is willing to invest in the core pieces that will fit his plan for the franchise.

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