Islanders' Boychuk taking wait-and-see approach to possible contract extension

Johnny Boychuk isn't quite ready to make a long-term commitment to the New York Islanders.

With two goals and 11 assists through 19 games, the defenseman's stint with the team has gotten off to a wildly successful start. He's on pace to shatter the career-high 23-point mark posted last season as a member of the Boston Bruins.

Boychuk has also played a big role in helping the Islanders rise into a tie for first place in the Metropolitan Division, and, as an impending unrestricted free agent, it would seem as though both sides would be anxious to put pen to paper on a contract extension.

Tap those brakes, says Boychuk.

"I just want to see how my family is going to like it down here," Boychuk told Arthur Staple of Newsday, in light of the fact he, his wife and their twin 11-month-old daughters only moved from Boston a month ago. "It's all very different to me."

Islanders general manager Garth Snow previously stated that Boychuk fits into the club's long-term plans. Presumably, they'd be willing to cough up the $6-to-6.5-million per season he's likely to command on the open market.

Whether Boychuk wants to move with the team to Brooklyn is yet to be determined. He may wait until the end of the season to make a decision.