Islanders
A preview of the 2025-26 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: Matthew Schaefer (1st Overall pick, 2025 NHL Draft), Mathieu Darche (GM), Jonathan Drouin, David Rittich, Maxim Shabonov, Emil Heinemen
Key Departures: Lou Lamoriello (GM) Noah Dobson, Matt Martin, Mike Reilly
Overview
The Islanders hit the jackpot in the offseason when they won the draft lottery and were able to select defenseman Matthew Schaefer with the first overall pick. It was the first time that the Isles had the first overall selection since 2009 when they took John Tavares.
The Isles have a new man steering the ship, as Mathieu Darche was hired as the team’s GM, replacing Hall of Famer Lou Lamoriello. Darche was the Lightning’s Director of Hockey Operations when Tampa won the Stanley Cup in 2020 and 2021.
Offense
The Islanders finished tied for 27th in goals scored. Their games averaged 5.90 goals per game, ranking them 24th out of 32 teams. One way to boost goal production would be to improve the 31st-ranked power play, as no team scored fewer goals (26) with the extra man than the Isles.
The loss of center Mathew Barzal to injury (played just 30 games) played a significant role in the team’s struggles in finding the back of the net. Bo Horvat led the team with a paltry 57 points (93rd overall), he was second on the team with 28 goals and first in shots on goal with 243. Anders Lee’s 29 goals lead the team. Jonathan Drouin was signed as a free agent and is expected to slot into a top-six forward role as well as playing on the Isles top power play unit.
Defense
The Islanders’ 257 goals against had them 20th overall, but their penalty kill ranked 31st and that was one year after finishing dead last in that category. The trade of Noah Dobson to Montreal opens the door for Tony DeAngelo to take Dobson’s spot on the No. 1 pairing with Alexander Romanov and anchor the Islanders top power play unit. In his previous three full NHL seasons, DeAngelo has scored 10 goals or more and no fewer than 41 points.
Schaefer will start out on the third pair with veteran Scott Mayfield, but don’t be surprised to see his role elevated as the season progresses. Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock make up the team’s middle pair and will handle the bulk of the penalty killing duties.
Goaltending
Questions surrounding the health status of backup goalie Semyon Varlamov put the Islanders in the position of needing to sign veteran David Rittich in the summer. Varlamov missed the final six months of the season with an undisclosed injury and his status for the upcoming season is still unknown. Rittich was 16-14-2 with the Kings, but his .887 SV% for a team that ranked second in goals against is a concern.
Even with the Islanders 20th in goals allowed, Ilya Sorokin captured his second career 30-win season. He finished tied for seventh in shutouts (4), tenth in wins (30), and fourth in games played (60). His .907 SV% ranked eighth among goalies who played 50 or more games.
Player to Watch
All eyes will be on first overall pick Matthew Schaefer. Schaefer has the potential to be the best defenseman in the organization since Denis Potvin, who won four Stanley Cups back in the ‘80s. A point projection between 35 and 40 points is a reasonable expectation.
Outlook
I don’t see a path for the Islanders to make a return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. They should benefit from a healthy Barzal and the addition of Drouin. It should be enough to push them Over their projected point total of 83.5.
Team Futures
Regular Season Points: 83.5
To Make the Playoffs: +240
To Miss the Playoffs: -320
To Win the Metropolitan Division: +3000
To Win the Eastern Conference: +7500
To Win the Stanley Cup: +15000
2024-25 Recap
Record: 35-35-12, 82 points (6th Metropolitan Division)
Over/Under: 42-38-2
Home Favorite: 12-13 // Home Dog: 7-6
Road Favorite: 7-6 // Road Dog: 10-15
Win Score 4 or more: 22 of 35 // Lose Give Up 4 or more: 31 of 47
Puck Line Wins: 20 of 35 // Puck Line Losses: 28 of 47
Front End Back-to-Back: 6-6 // Back End Back-to-Back: 5-7
Points Leader: Bo Horvat – 57
Goal Leader: Anders Lee – 29
Assist Leader: Bo Horvat – 29
Shots on Goal Leader: Bo Horvat – 243
Blocked Shots Leader: Alexander Romanov – 165
Depth Chart
Forwards
Jonathan Drouin / Bo Horvat / Kyle Palmieri
Anders Lee / Mathew Barzal / Simon Holmstrom
Anthony Duclair / J.G. Pageau / Maxim Shabonov
Emil Heinemen / Casey Cizikas / Maxim Tsyplakov
Defense
Alexander Romanov / Tony DeAngelo
Adam Pelech / Ryan Pulock
Matthew Schaefer / Scott Mayfield
Goalies
Ilya Sorokin / David Rittich
Power Play Unit 1
Anders Lee, Bo Horvat, Jonathan Drouin, Mathew Barzal, Tony DeAngelo
