New York Islanders
A preview of the 2026-27 NHL season for the New York Islanders, including predictions from VSiN NHL Expert Jonathan Davis. For all other NHL team previews, check out our NHL page.
Key Additions: Matias Maccelli, Vitek Vanecek
Key Departures: Anders Lee, David Rittich
Overview
The Islanders improved from the prior year but still missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season, finishing 6th in the Metropolitan Division and 12th in the Eastern Conference. After being in playoff contention for much of the season, they won just four of their final 14 games, leading to the firing of head coach Patrick Roy and replaced by Pete DeBoer for the final four games of the regular season. DeBoer could not pull a rabbit out of his hat as the Islanders scored only two goals over their final three games and ended the year with three consecutive losses. The one bright spot for the Islanders was rookie Matthew Schaefer who was a unanimous choice for rookie of the year. Captain Anders Lee wasn’t offered a contract and left in free agency, signing with Utah. Last season the Islanders were 9-13 as a home favorite and 13-4 as a home underdog.
Offense
The 229 goals scored last season by the Islanders was 25th best and making it the eighth consecutive season they finished in the bottom third of the league in goals scored. The numbers got even worse when you focused on both five-on-five play (28th overall) and their 30th-ranked power play. The Isles were at their best in three-on-three overtime, going a perfect 10-0.
Matt Barzal led the team with just 72 points and has only hit the 80-point mark twice in his career. Despite playing just 68 games, Bo Horvat led the Islanders with 31 goals and has scored at least 31 goals in four of the last five seasons. If this team is going to get back into the postseason derby, they are going to need Emil Heineman (22 goals) and Simon Holmstrom (19 goals) to build on their goal totals from last season. Kyle Palmieri, who suffered a torn ACL, played just 25 games (6 goals). He scored 24 and 30 goals in the two previous seasons.
Defense
The Islanders stayed in playoff contention thanks to their stingy defense that gave up the sixth fewest goals (241), and they had the 10th-best penalty kill. To no one’s surprise, Matthew Schaefer was a unanimous choice for Rookie of the Year. At 18 years of age, he became the youngest defenseman ever to score 20 goals (23 total). His 23 goals and 59 points were the most ever by an18-year-old defenseman. Schaefer’s defensive game also grew as the season went on. His (+13) rating led the team. Veterans Ryan Pulock, Scott Mayfield and Adam Pelech are still reliable defensively but are starting to show signs of their age. The blueline gets a boost this season with the return of Alexander Romanov, who was limited to 15 games last season after suffering a shoulder injury that required surgery. Tony DeAngelo joins him on the third pair and provides some scoring punch.
Goaltending
Ilya Sorokin gives the Islanders a chance to win games every time he starts. He finished last season with a league-leading seven shutouts and was the runner-up to Andrei Vasilevskiy for the Vezina Trophy awarded to the NHL’s best goaltender. The question is who backs up Sorokin. Semyon Varlamov hasn’t played since November 2024 and has since had both knees replaced. He looked sharp in two games at the end of last season with the Islanders’ American Hockey League team, where he posted a 1.50 goals against average and a .939 save percentage. Just before training camp began, general manager Mathieu Darche announced that Varlamov will be a full participant. “He’s going to play preseason games, and hopefully he’s ready to give us a lot of games this year.” The other option is Vitek Vanecek, who was signed to a one-year deal after spending last season in Utah, where he won just five of 21 decisions.
Player to Watch
Matthew Schaefer got all the headlines, but 21-year-old rookie Cal Ritchie had a quiet yet solid rookie season for the Islanders, finishing with 13 goals and 30 points. His five power play goals and 11 power play points were fourth-best on the team. With a season under his belt, getting to 20 goals this season is well within reach.
Outlook
The Islanders were eight points shy of making the playoffs last season, and I view them as a team once again on the “bubble” of teams to watch to make the playoffs. Last season I cashed with their season point total to go Over 83.5 (they finished with 91), and this year I will once again target the Over points (88.5).
Team Futures
Regular Season Points: 88.5 (Over -115, Under -115)
To Make the Playoffs: (+220)
Miss the Playoffs: (-275)
To Win the Division: (+2500)
To Win the Eastern Conference: (+5500)
To Win the Stanley Cup: (+15000)
2025-26 Recap
Record: 43-34-5 (91 points, 6th Metropolitan Division)
Over/Under: 37-43-2
Home Favorite: 9-13 // Home Dog: 13-4
Road Favorite: 6-4 // Road Dog: 14-16
Win Score 4 or more: 23 of 43 // Lose Give Up 4 or more: 30 of 39
Puck Line Wins: 16 of 43 // Puck Line Losses: 25 of 39
Front End Back-to-Back: 5-11 // Back End Back-to-Back: 9-7
Points Leader: Mathew Barzal – 72
Goal Leader: Bo Horvat – 31
Teams First Goal Leader: Bo Horvat – 12, Emil Heinneman – 9
Assist Leader: Mathew Barzal – 53
Shots on Goal Leader: Bo Horvat – 226
Blocked Shots: Ryan Pulock – 148
Depth Chart
Forwards
Emil Heineman / Bo Horvat / Kyle Palmieri
Calum Ritchie / Brayden Schenn / Mathew Barzal
Matias Maccelli / Jean-Gabriel Pageau / Simon Holmstrom
Ondrej Palat / Casey Cizikas / Anthony Duclair
Defense
Matthew Schaefer / Ryan Pulock
Adam Pelech / Scott Mayfield
Alexander Romanov / Tony DeAngelo
Goalies
Ilya Sorokin / Semyon Varlamov
