It appears as if Mark Streit’s days in Long Island are numbered.
According to Arthur Staple of Newsday, the veteran defenceman — who is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on July 5 — has turned down the New York Islanders’ most recent offer, and that the two sides are far apart in contract requirements.
Per @stapenewsday: Sources say #Isles captain Mark Streit will not return. Turned down team’s best offer, will hit open market.
— Chris Nichols (@Nichols_NHLPool) June 4, 2013
Sources tell @stapenewsday that #Isles captain Mark Streit turned down team’s best offer and will hit open market.
— Hockey Central (@SNHockeyCentral) June 4, 2013
The 35-year-old Streit is believed to be looking for an annual salary north of $5.5-million per season, while the Isles reportedly made a three-year offer for $4.75-million per season.
In a weak free agent market for defenceman, the Islanders’ captain could be in line to receive a four-year deal that could pay him up to $6 million annually.
After missing 2010-11 with a shoulder injury, Streit returned to the Isles in 2011-12 and led the team’s defencemen in scoring with 47 points. This past season, the native of Englisberg, Switzerland, registered six goals and 21 assists in a lockout-shortened campaign, and five points in a first-round playoff loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
In his career, Streit has notched 288 points — 65 goals and 223 assists — in 491 NHL games with the Montreal Canadiens and Islanders.
