Isles extend goaltender Thomas Greiss

Thomas Greiss (NHL.com)

Just one week after being named the NHL’s second star of the week, on Monday evening, the New York Islanders re-signed starting goaltender Thomas Greiss to a three-year contract, reportedly worth $10 million, as per Arthur Staple of Newsday via Twitter. Greiss’ current cap hit is $1.5 million and runs through the remainder of this season (CapFriendly.com). His next contract will carry an annual cap hit of $3.33 million.

Thomas Greiss was drafted 94th-overall (third round) by the San Jose Sharks at the 2004 NHL Draft. Greiss played in 155 games for the Sharks, Phoenix Coyotes, and Pittsburgh Penguins, going 73-48-18 with a 2.40 goals-against average and .919 save percentage with three shutouts.

Greiss was signed as a free agent by the Islanders in the summer ahead of the 2015-16 season. In his first season with the Isles, Greiss went 23-11-4 with 2.36 GAA and .925 save percentage with one shutout. Greiss was in charge of netminding duties in the spring of 2016, helping the franchise win its first playoff series since 1993.

This season, Greiss has posted a 14-7-3 record with a 2.25 GAA and a .928 save percentage with two shutouts. Since Jaroslav Halak was waived about a month ago, Greiss became the clear starting goaltender for the Isles. Prior to this season’s start, Greiss appeared in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey backstopping Team Europe. The German-born goaltender, who celebrated his 31st birthday on Sunday, represented his home country in 2006 and 2010 at the Winter Olympics.

This signing already confirms the presumed direction in which the New York Islanders were headed.

Thomas Greiss will no doubt be protected by the franchise for the Las Vegas expansion draft, leaving Jaro Halak exposed. The signing also represents some steadiness in what has otherwise been an unstable and dramatic season thus far, as Jack Capuano was relieved from behind-the-bench duties two weeks ago. Greiss has been terrific so far for the Islanders and the squad will no doubt rely on him as they prepare themselves to weather the storm and reach for a playoff spot. As the All-Star break comes to an end, the Islanders will be back in action Tuesday evening against the Washington Capitals in Brooklyn.