From the moment that Jean-Gabriel Pageau arrived on Long Island, he’s not only been a fan favorite, but he’s fit in like a glove with the Islanders. From scoring a goal against the Rangers in his first game to his performance in the 2020 playoff bubble, to every goal he’s scored and setup to every face-off he’s won, to every penalty he’s helped kill, one thing is very clear.
Acquiring Pageau was one of the best trades in Islanders history and it’s certainly something for the Islanders and their fans to appreciate even during what has been a very disappointing season.
“I’m an Islander,” said Pageau. “I’m proud to be and I play with my full heart every time I wear that jersey now.”
Pageau is a native of Ottawa and spent the majority of his first eight NHL seasons with his hometown Senators. He’ll always be appreciative of some great memories that he had in Ottawa including a career-high 43 points in 2015-16 and a career-high 24 goals in 2019-20 before he was traded to the Islanders (where he scored two more for a total of 26), but Long Island is now his home.
He'll never forget his time with Ottawa, but he’s making new memories on Long Island.
“Ottawa gave me my first chance to play in the NHL,” said Pageau. “Things change and it’s a new chapter for me now.”
The 29-year-old Pageau has certainly been a huge addition to the Islanders since his arrival just before the trade deadline in 2020. He helped the Islanders get to the Eastern Conference Final in the bubble that summer and then played a big role in last year’s run to the Stanley Cup Semifinals. In 54 regular season games last season, Pageau had 14 goals and 14 assists for 28 points and was a +10. In the playoffs, he added 3 goals and 10 assists for 13 points and registered a +9 rating.
But things haven’t gone according to plan this year as the team has struggled for multiple reasons while Pageau only has 10 goals and 10 assists for 20 points and a -1 rating. Even with his “lack of production”, it doesn’t tell the true story of what Pageau means to the team.
He takes face-offs, kills penalties, plays on the power play and is used for late-game situations and matchups.
In other words, Pageau does a little bit of everything.
“He’s sort of a switchblade,” said Islanders head coach Barry Trotz. “You value what he does and you don’t necessarily look totally at production. What Pager does is he touches so many areas of the game that whatever you get offensively he checks so many boxes for you. He fills so many of those intangible areas that are necessary for you to win.”
After back-to-back runs to the NHL’s final four, the Islanders are heading towards their first non-playoff season since 2017-18, the season before Trotz and general manager Lou Lamoriello helped changed the culture in the organization and turned the Islanders into a contender. Between a season-opening 13-game road trip while waiting for UBS Arena to open, a COVID-19 outbreak and multiple injuries, this has been a season to forget for everyone in Islanders Country, but the expectation is that this team can bounce back next season.
But first things first, Pageau and the Islanders want to finish up strong this season and show ownership and management that the team may only need some tweaking during the offseason.
“I think it’s a little early to think about this summer,” said Pageau. “We want to take one day at a time and one step at a time and I think we’ll look after the season.”
There was a time when Pageau felt that he would be an Ottawa Senator for life, but sometimes life doesn’t turn out the way you expect it. As Pageau noted, things can change and sometimes they change for a reason…a good reason.
Pageau has found a great new home with the Islanders and there’s always a ton of “PAGEAU 44” jerseys worn by fans at home games. He’s extremely popular in that locker room and he’s grateful to have been welcomed to Long Island with open arms.
“As a player, you get attached to the team and the fans and it grows on you,” said Pageau. “I’ve met some great teammates here and I’m lucky. They made it very easy for me to get attached and felt welcome for me and my wife. We’re very happy to be here.”
And the Islanders, along with all of Islanders Country, is happy to have him.