The New York Islanders have agreed to a contract with Mason Jobst, a college free agent from Ohio State University. The team has announced the deal is a two-year entry-level contract starting next season, but there is some confusion around how that would be possible. The undrafted forward turned 25 in February and should not be eligible for a two-year ELC—meaning it very likely is a two-year, two-way standard contract that will not include performance bonuses and will take Jobst right to unrestricted free agency in 2021.
Jobst has been one of the best offensive players in college hockey for four seasons now, recording 164 points in 150 games for the Buckeyes. He is a finalist for the Hobey Baker award this season (despite actually having a worse offensive year than the two previous) and has captained Ohio State for two years. The undersized forward has attended several development camps over the years, spending time with the Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins and Minnesota Wild.
Despite standing just 5’8″ 185-lbs, Jobst has never been one to avoid contact or refuse to play in the “dirty” areas of the ice. The 25-year old played in all situations for Ohio State and has produced even while short-handed. If the Islanders—or more likely the Bridgeport Sound Tigers—plan on using him that way he certainly won’t be complaining. Jobst told NHL.com correspondent Jessi Pierce last year that “you’ve got to be able to play a 200-foot game, you can’t be a perimeter player when you’re [his] size.”