With the 2026 Stanley Cup Final concluding on Sunday, the NHL has officially entered its offseason.

Despite missing the playoffs in each of the last two seasons, New York Islanders’ second-year general manager Mathieu Darche has zero interest in rebuilding, nor is it really feasible given the contracts on the books and the clauses attached to many of them.

The Islanders have an elite goaltender and a franchise defenseman, but they lack the offensive firepower to be considered a true Stanley Cup contender.

With a thin free-agent market, hockey trades are likely the avenue the Islanders — and many teams around the league — will need to explore to acquire top-end talent this summer.

A few weeks ago, I wrote about how the Islanders should revisit their pre-trade-deadline conversations with the St. Louis Blues regarding forward Jordan Kyrou, who has five seasons remaining on a contract that carries an $8.125 million cap hit and includes a full no-trade clause.

The three-time 30-goal scorer appears to be a player who could benefit from a change of scenery.

I’m told the Islanders are one of the teams that have re-engaged in trade talks, with conversations ongoing for some time now.

I believe the Edmonton Oilers, Anaheim Ducks, and Seattle Kraken have spoken with St. Louis recently.

It’s also believed that Kyrou would waive his no-trade clause to join the Islanders, which is notable considering there was little indication he had any interest in moving during the season.

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MASSAPEQUA, NY — On Saturday, New York Islanders forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau hit the DEK Superstars Rink for skills training, autographs, and pictures, working with children ages 4-13.

This event helped raise money for the Connor Kasin Memorial Foundation in honor of a 17-year-old Massapequa Varsity hockey player who passed away after a medical episode on the ice on Nov. 30, 2024.

Three items were auctioned off as well — a puck from Pageau’s first NHL game with the Ottawa Senators, an Islander’s game puck, as well as a signed Pageau banner — for a tremendous $500.

During the event, I caught up with Pageau:

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There have been some tremendous stories to come out of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final.

Former first-overall pick Taylor Hall finally reached the top of the mountain after 16 NHL seasons and stops with seven different organizations. Brandon Bussi, a 27-year-old undrafted goaltender and Long Island native, went from a player whose NHL future appeared uncertain to a Stanley Cup champion. Jordan Staal became the oldest player ever to win the Conn Smythe Trophy at age 37.

But one of the more underrated feel-good stories belongs to former New York Islanders defenseman Mike Reilly.

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The New York Islanders organization ended their season with 24 players on expiring deals, with 12 unrestricted free agents and 12 restricted free agents.

Since we packed up for the summer, the Islanders have crossed a few off that list.

Forward Liam Foudy, who was one of two call-ups for Game 82, signed a one-year, two-way deal worth $850,000 at the NHL level.

Forward Daylan Kuefler signed a two-year, two-way deal worth $850,000 annually.

Defenseman Marshall Warren signed a one-year, two-way deal worth $850,0000.

Forward Matthew Highmore signed an American Hockey League deal with the Hamilton Hammers.

Here’s where everything stands with the remaining pending free agents.

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With the season in the rearview mirror, Free Friday is shifting into offseason mode—with a weekly New York Islanders mailbag where your questions take center stage.

And don’t get it twisted: just because the games have stopped doesn’t mean things are slowing down here.

From exclusive interviews and insider intel to in-depth columns and behind-the-scenes access, The Elmonters isn’t going anywhere—keeping that Islanders pulse alive all summer long.

First, let’s discuss Jordan Kyrou ahead of our first question.

The 28-year-old, who has five seasons left on his deal worth $8.125 million annually, is a three-time 30-goal scorer and someone whom the Islanders inquired ahead of the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline.

However, I think he’s more than open to a change of scenery, and if the asking price comes down and Darche doesn’t have to part ways with someone he deems a top prospect, I could see talks picking up ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft.

Is it out of the realm of possibilities to think that acquiring Schenn had something to do with, potentially, acquiring Kyrou, given their relationship?

We stay on this subject for our first question:

ROSNER: The simple answer is that general manager Mathieu Darche was unwilling to part with Victor Eklund or Kashawn Aitcheson, as well as any prospects he thought would be ready to turn pro over the next few seasons. It also didn’t sound like Kyrou, who has a full no-trade clause, was interested in moving mid-season. Yes, the 29th overall pick would likely have been involved.

I don’t think this was a situation where Darche said, ‘Well, if I can’t have Kyrou, I’ll have Schenn.’ What I will say is that Kyrou controls his future, and if he wants to be an Islander, not having the 29th pick isn’t the issue. It’s whether the asking price comes down.

ROSNER: I think it’s time that Jiggs McDonald gets into the Islanders’ Hall of Fame. The voice behind the Dynasty Days, it’s been an honor to get to meet the NHL Hall of Famer and also see how he’s stayed connected to the franchise. He usually emcees all the inductions and was the emcee for the grand opening of UBS Arena.

After Jiggs, I think we see Josh Bailey get in there, I really do. Views on his career may be split amongst the fan base, but when everyone else left from the dark days, Bailey chose to stay. He played 1,057 games for the organization over a 15-year career, the third-most in franchise history, and served as an alternate captain for five of those years.

ROSNER: So far, we have already seen the Islanders bring back pending restricted free agents Liam Foudy, Daylan Kuefler, and Marshall Warren, and Hamilton sign Matthew Highmore to an AHL deal. The Islanders still have the following RFAs & UFAs to re-sign that could impact Hamilton: Marc Gatcomb, Alex Jefferies, Eetu Liukas, Matt Maggio, Cam Thiesing, Joey Larson, Travis Mitchell (UFA Group 6), Adam Beckman (UFA Group 6), Cole McWard (UFA Group 6), and Ethan Bear (UFA).

I don’t think we’ll see everyone back, like Beckman, and I don’t think every pending RFA will get tendered a qualifying offer. I do think Matt Luff will be back, to answer your second question.

Darche could add a player or two, like he did when he added Bear for depth last summer, but the goal is for prospects like Cole Eiserman and Aitcheson — Eklund, if he starts in Hamilton, to get the chance to play and develop.

ROSNER: Patrick Roy is not affiliated with the Islanders organization. After being let go with four games to go in the regular season, with two years left on his deal, there was a report that said he may remain on as a scout. We asked Darche about the report at his end-of-the-season press conference, and he said there was no truth to it and that Roy is the head coach. The Islanders gave the Toronto Maple Leafs permission to interview Roy for their head coaching position, and reports indicated he had a very strong meeting with recently appointed general manager John Chayka.

ROSNER: I get why it looks that way. Darche made a few suspect trades at the time, and with the Islanders missing the playoffs, it makes it look like he has no direction for a team caught in what many would call the “mushy middle.”

To me, the pre-deadline moves were to accomplish one goal: to make the playoffs, and that didn’t happen. But he’s going to get the chance to improve the team. Just because we don’t know what Darche’s plan is and he isn’t out there spewing it despite rumors that make up moves the Islanders are trying to make, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have one.

A GM's clock, to me, starts running when you fire the head coach, which Darche did, so now, it’s on him and only him to rebound from his previous moves and find a way over the next few months to strengthen his team for the now and the future.

ROSNER: To piggyback off the prior question, yes, Darche added three veterans who didn’t ultimately lead Matthew Schaefer to playoff experience. But let’s not pretend Darche hasn’t started to build around Schaefer. Trading for picks and drafting Eklund and Kashawn Aitcheson with those picks are players who are going to be part of Schaefer’s timeline. You can’t rebuild an entirely new prospect pool overnight, especially one that was in the gutter.

It took the Montreal Canadiens three seasons to return to the playoffs after falling to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The San Jose Sharks haven’t made the playoffs since 2019.

Your “you can easily feel it” line comes after years of their fans being tormented by tough seasons.

The Islanders will not be going through a massive rebuild like those teams, for reasons such as their core being locked up long-term, including a Vezina-caliber goaltender. Darche tried to add top-six help at the trade deadline before acquiring Brayden Schenn and will look to do so this summer.

ROSNER: I think you will see heavy activity before and during the NHL Draft. I don’t think we will see many big moves on July 1, but I do expect more trades than we have seen before because of the slim free-agent class.

Also, we’ve already seen a few players like Dylan Larkin and Darnell Nurse request trades, with more potentially coming.

ROSNER: Darche never said anywhere that he needed to cut payroll. He wants to create more cap flexibility, as every GM does. He has around $10.8 million in available cap space right now. Brayden Schenn’s $6.5 million cap hit over the next two seasons and Palat’s $6 million cap hit this season don’t impact the Islanders right now. If the Islanders need the cap space, then yeah, Darche “needs” to clear cap to fit whoever that player is. Now, what I will say is that if Darche is acquiring, let’s say, Jordan Kyrou, money is going the other way. Maybe you look at Anders Lee as a cap casualty, but that’s not the case.

If Lee is not back, it’s not because the Islanders couldn’t afford him. It will be because of the Darche’s offer and his refusal to cross the line he’s drawn in the sand for a player that’s going to be 36 with young talent ready and waiting.

LATEST STORIES

MATTHEW SCHAEFER COMING TO MATT MARTIN HOCKEY CAMP

It had been anything but smooth sailing for New York Islanders prospect Daylan Kuefler since the organization selected him in the sixth round (No. 174) of the 2022 NHL Draft, as injuries repeatedly derailed the start of his professional career.

But this past season, things finally started to trend in the right direction.

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On Wednesday, The Athletic’s St. Louis Blues writer, Jeremy Rutherford, was asked in his mailbag about where he thinks forward Jordan Kyrou would be willing to be moved to.

Rutherford’s response: The New York Islanders

Why did Rutherford only list the Islanders?

Let’s talk about it.

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BUFFALO, NY — A year ago, the New York Islanders selected defenseman Matthew Schaefer with the No. 1 overall pick.

Fast forward to today, and Schaefer has already established himself as one of the NHL’s brightest young stars, becoming the unanimous Calder Trophy winner after a remarkable rookie season.

At the 2026 NHL Draft Combine, several top draft prospects spoke with admiration about Schaefer’s rapid rise, his impact on young players across hockey, and the person he remains behind the scenes despite his growing stardom:

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BUFFALO, NY — The stars of the show in Buffalo this past week were the prospects taking part in the 2026 NHL Draft Combine.

However, former New York Islanders forward and special assistant to general manager Mathieu Darche, Matt Martin, was a favorite among the prospects who interviewed with Long Island’s organization.

Martin may not have been the flashiest player during his 16-year career, but it’s clear as day, talking to prospects who are under 20, that the now 37-year-old still has street cred.

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BUFFALO, NY — After spending the week at the 2026 NHL Draft Combine, talking with more than 20 prospects and people around the league, there were plenty of noteworthy takeaways beyond the testing results.

From how prospects viewed their interviews with the New York Islanders to what I’m hearing about the organization’s front office, coaching staff, free agents, and offseason plans, there’s a lot to unpack as we inch closer to the NHL Draft and free agency.

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BUFFALO, NY — The New York Islanders interviewed over 20 draft-eligible players at the 2026 NHL Draft Combine this past week.

They certainly had a game plan for their line of questioning.

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On Friday, the New York Islanders announced that they had signed pending restricted free agent defenseman Marshall Warren to a one-year, two-way deal.

Warren, a native of Laurel Hollow, Long Island, just completed the second season of a two-year deal, a contract he signed as a college free agent back in mid-April of 2014.

The 25-year-old made his NHL debut this season, recording two assists in a 4-3 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Oct. 26.

He played eight total games in Alexander Romanov’s spot on the third pairing, recording three assists, while averaging 11:29 minutes per game.

Warren had a rather strong season in Bridgeport under the tutelage of Rocky Thompson after beginning his AHL career under Rick Kowalsky.

In 55 total games under Kowalsky — the first two came at the tail end of the 2023-24 season after the University of Michigan got eliminated — Warren recorded four goals and 13 assists for 17 points with 38 penalty minutes on what was a weak Bridgeport team.

Rocky Thompson, who took over for Kowalsky, proved to be a game-changer for Warren, recording 6 goals and 26 assists for 32 points in just 30 minutes over 56 games.

Warren added one assist in two playoff games.

What’s impressive about Warren is that he turned an ATO into a two-year contract, then earned an NHL opportunity, which led to them keeping the RFA aboard for at least another season.

He’s deserving of stick taps just for that.

But I do want to talk about his contract, because it’s a bit interesting.

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With the season in the rearview mirror, Free Friday is shifting into offseason mode—with a weekly New York Islanders mailbag where your questions take center stage.

And don’t get it twisted: just because the games have stopped doesn’t mean things are slowing down here.

From exclusive interviews and insider intel to in-depth columns and behind-the-scenes access, The Elmonters isn’t going anywhere—keeping that Islanders pulse alive all summer long.

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Before we get to your questions, let’s get to the Dylan Larkin news.

The 29-year-old Detroit Red Wings captain, who has five seasons left on his deal worth $8.7 million annually, has requested a trade.

Despite the Islanders having so many centers, there’s no question that Larkin is the type of offensive player the Islanders on Long Island have been looking for.

Larkin’s next destination is up to him, given that he has a full no-trade clause.

The question is, what are the Red Wings looking for, and what are the Islanders willing to give up?

While Mathew Barzal rumors swirled earlier this week — he is not on the trade block — is that someone the Islanders would be willing to part with to land Larkin, or is Detroit looking more for picks and prospects?

The Red Wings have missed the playoffs in 10 straight seasons and have been stuck in a rebuild with, now, no real signs of getting out of it. But, Yzerman likely wants NHL players in return since he’s not trying to take multiple steps back, even if he has to trade his captain.

Unless Barzal is being dangled, since I don’t think top prospects Victor Eklund and Kashawn Aitcheson are available, I have a hard time seeing the Islanders outbidding teams for Larkin’s skill set.

The only way I truly see Larkin in Blue & Orange is if he tells the Red Wings that’s where he wants to play.

Okay, now to your questions!

ROSNER: I really do think the answer is Ondrej Palat. I don’t think Pierre Engvall will make the NHL roster, despite his speed being something the Islanders need. While I do think pending restricted free agent Max Shabanov makes the team and plays, his inability to stay healthy in season one gives me pause about picking him to win a games-played race. Palat is likely one of the Islanders’ fourth-line wingers, as I don’t see them moving on from him this summer.

ROSNER: I think when you select 13th overall, it’s more about taking the best player available. Drafting for positional need in the NHL isn’t as effective as in the NBA or NFL, given the timeframe to the NHL level. The Islanders have a clear need at RHD, but if any player falls out of the projected top 10, I think you have to take them. I’m really high on Wyatt Cullen.

ROSNER: I don’t think the Islanders will buy out Palat or any player for that matter. I think that, while Palat struggled after being acquired from the New Jersey Devils, he’s going to get a chance to right his wrongs. Remember, Darche took a chance on a player he knows pretty well from their Tampa days, so I don’t think he’d pull the plug as he did with Jonathan Drouin. I think the most likely cap-clearing move is dealing Anthony Duclair, who has two seasons left at $3.5 million annually. It just seems like a fresh start is needed, and I think Duclair is someone who would be okay with moving on. 

ROSNER: Sure, it’s an easy way to shed cap space, and the Islanders would save $3.3 million this season, with a cap penalty of $1.65 million in 2027-28. I don’t see Darche doing it. It’s one thing to be cutthroat, as we continue to see with Chris Drury on the New York Rangers’ side of things. As mentioned, Palat and Darche have a relationship, and Darche acquired him, knowing he had a term remaining on his deal. I don’t think it was a “well, if he struggles, we’ll just buy him out” kind of situation. Listen, I could be wrong, but I see Palat as someone who is skating on the Islanders’ fourth line, regardless of his cap hit. If Darche thinks Palat can be a stable fourth-liner, there’s no point in taking on the future cap penalty. Depending on how the season goes, Darche could always try to flip Palat ahead of the 2027 NHL Trade Deadline. 

ROSNER: I mean, it’s going to sound cliché, but it’s just about keeping things simple and getting shots on net with traffic in front. I spoke with former Islanders and NHL forward Rob Schremp about it, and he said that when he watched film of the Islanders' power play, he rarely saw the puck carrier look toward goal. I think it’s time to run the power play through Matthew Schaefer and not Mathew Barzal. I think it’s important to have two flanks that are one-time options, given Schaefer’s ability to make no-look passes. The Islanders still have to hire a power-play coach, too. 

ROSNER: I think if the Islanders don’t re-sign Lee, they could look externally to upgrade with a player like Mason Marchment. But it truly depends on whether Darche can bring in more offensive talent and how much cap space remains following the move(s). If the Islanders choose to allocate their cap space elsewhere, then I think someone like Victor Eklund could start at the NHL level in a middle-six role. Outside of Eklund, I don’t think the Islanders have another young player ready to crack the lineup yet. 

ROSNER: I think they are a few pieces away from being a true Stanley Cup contender. They have the goaltending and the game-changing defender, but they lack the top-six talent that Cup contenders have, which is hard to get, especially on the trade market. For the Islanders to become Cup contenders, it will likely come through prospect development, which would take some time. So, it’s really hard to gauge a timeline, especially with major roster turnover not expected until next summer. Let’s say 3-5 years unless Darche brings in that top-tier talent. 

ROSNER: Well, the reason Utah made sense as a package was that they had the fourth overall pick, and the Islanders were trying to move up in the first round to select James Hagens. I don’t think the Islanders would move Barzal for picks and prospects, but I also don’t see anyone on Utah’s roster they’d be willing to move for Barzal at this time. Nick Schmaltz and Logan Cooley as a 1-2 punch is legit.

ROSNER: I think a more out of left field trade would be Darche moving Alexander Romanov, who has seven more seasons left on his deal at $6.25 million annually. The only reason I say this is because Romanov’s trade protection doesn’t kick in until July 1, 2027, but I have no reason to think that Darche doesn’t believe in the player he signed long-term. Casey Cizikas, who has one season left at $2.5 million, is another left-field trade just because he hasn’t really been talked about. The Islanders have a ton of centers. I don’t think either trade happens, but those are the ones that would be out of left field for me.

On Tuesday, New York Islanders pending unrestricted free agent captain Anders Lee talked about where his mind was at with ESPN’s Don LaGreca and Alan Hahn.

“This has been my home. It’s been my home for a long time. I’ve raised my family here. It’s been a privilege to be an Islander and to be a captain of this team. I’ve loved every second of it and haven’t taken it for granted. I feel like I have a lot of good years left of hockey in me. Would love to make this happen.”

Here’s the video clip:

On Wednesday, LeBrun reported that Lee and the Islanders were far apart on an extension and that the veteran was likely to test free agency:

The biggest takeaway here is that Darche has drawn a line in the sand about what he’s comfortable with when it comes to years and terms on a Lee extension.

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When first-year general manager Mathieu Darche headed up to Buffalo for the 2025 NHL Combine, there was no question that Matthew Schaefer was the front-runner to become the New York Islanders’ first-overall pick.

Come the end of the combine, there was no other choice but Schaefer donning the blue and orange on the draft stage in Los Angeles.

While Schaefer’s on-ice prowess was nothing short of spectacular, given his mobility, hockey IQ, and dynamic two-way game, the then-17-year-old showed us all that he was more than just a kid who could go first overall.

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On Monday night, the Ottawa Citizen reported that the New York Islanders have explored the trade market for 29-year-old forward Mathew Barzal.

The reporter, Bruce Garrioch, isn’t known for making things up, and he has a strong track record in sourcing. There’s no reason to dismiss the report.

That said, wording matters, so let’s clarify exactly what was reported.

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This week, team executives, amateur scouts, and draft-eligible prospects will descend on Buffalo for the 2026 NHL Combine.

The media portion of the combine will take place on Friday and Saturday, as I'll be heading to Western New York on Friday afternoon.

Your support makes that possible, so I thank you.

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Last year’s combine was a big one for the New York Islanders, if you remember.

Not because they were debating whether to select 17-year-old defenseman Matthew Schaefer with the first overall pick. Their decision had already been made.

Their meeting with Schaefer at the combine only reinforced what they already knew: how special the person behind the helmet was.

While the combine serves as the first opportunity for future NHL hopefuls to make an impression on potential teams, it also marks the first major gathering of NHL executives following the regular season.

General managers reconnect face-to-face, revisit trade conversations, and begin new discussions. Whether it’s player-for-player deals, draft-pick swaps, or laying the groundwork for bigger moves later in the summer, the combine often serves as a launching point.

For Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche, this will be his second combine but his first after completing a full season as an NHL general manager.

During his first season in the role, Darche made several trades in an effort to push the Islanders into the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The gamble ultimately fell short, and now he enters a pivotal offseason with work to do if he wants to improve the roster for 2026-27.

The combine gives him an opportunity to begin that process:

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There’s been a ton of talk about the New York Islanders potentially trading veteran defenseman Adam Pelech.

There are plenty of reasons why Pelech could be the guy on the move:

1. Pelech has a modified no-trade clause, while Ryan Pulock and Scott Mayfield have full no-trade clauses.

2. Alexander Romanov, whose no-trade clause kicks in on July 1, 2027, isn’t being moved after just the first season of an eight-year deal.

3. Head coach Pete DeBoer believes that prospect Isaiah George looked like an NHL defenseman.

4. Kashawn Aitcheson could be a factor at the NHL level in 2027-28, meaning there needs to be room for him.

5. Matthew Schaefer is not going anywhere.

But let’s be clear on one thing.

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On Thursday, the New York Islanders named former NHLer Jay McKee head coach of the Hamilton Hammers.

McKee played 14 years in the NHL as a shutdown defenseman and was known as one of the best shot-blockers in the league. His committment to putting his body on the line and playing a trusted brand of hockey is what allowed him to last so long in the league.

While blocks weren’t tracked until 2007-08, McKee still recorded 485 in 197 games from 2008-2010, averaging 2.46 per game.

He wasn’t known for offense—registering just 125 points—but finished his career at +55.

McKee played in 60 playoff games, with one Stanley Cup Final appearance, with his Buffalo Sabers falling to the Dallas Stars in 1999.

Since retiring, McKee has accumulated 15 years behind the bench, including nine as head coach for the Kitchener Rangers and Hamilton Bulldogs before their move to Brantford.

McKee has won an OHL Title, coming away victorious in his first season in Hamilton, advancing to the Memorial Cup Final.

His familiarity with Hamilton and its community is a major plus. He can also help players ease into a new environment.

I’m told McKee is a player’s coach, similar to Rocky Thompson, recently promoted from Bridgeport head coach to Pete DeBoer’s NHL staff, hence the need for a Hamilton coach.

I’m also told that McKee was a finalst for the Bellville Senators’ job.

When considering Thompson’s replacement, I thought it needed to be someone who could build on what Rocky established in Bridgeport last season.

I mentioned Ian Laperriere as a fit for that reason. But McKee seems to fit the mold.

General manager Mathieu Darche values players whose success stems from work ethic and drive, traits central to McKee’s career and coaching style.

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With the season in the rearview mirror, Free Friday is shifting into offseason mode—with a weekly New York Islanders mailbag where your questions take center stage.

And don’t get it twisted: just because the games have stopped doesn’t mean things are slowing down here.

From exclusive interviews and insider intel to in-depth columns and behind-the-scenes access, The Elmonters isn’t going anywhere—keeping that Islanders pulse alive all summer long.

Subscribe now

Before we get to your questions and comments, I wanted to touch on prospect Danny Nelson with his IIHF World Championships coming to an end yesterday following Team USA’s 4-0 loss to Team Canada in the SemiFinals.

Nelson’s role on USA wasn’t a big one, rotating from 13th forward to fourth-line center — he did get one game as the third-line center— playing minimul minutes.

Nelson recorded just one point through seven games played, an assist off an offensive face-off draw win on a Matthew Tkachuk power-play goal in a 4-2 loss to Latvia.

The fact that Nelson, 20, made the team and got minutes says something, especially with head coach Don Granato going back to the Islanders’ prospect in a must-win game after keeping him out of the lineup in the prior game.

I reached out to my friend The Prospect Don to get his thoughts on Nelson:

“I was surprised Danny made the team. He has played in every game accept one, which means they respect his all around game and size. He was noticeable at the WJC. He will be best suited in a 3rd line role. He is someone that can find a niche in the NHL and play a very long time.”

Here’s more:

“Danny Nelson is a big 6’3 versatile Center/Winger that has a heavy shot and a good B game. He will be utilized in a bottom 6 role as a reliable puck carrier and has potential to fit into the middle 6. One of my favorite Islanders prospects because his role he is playing at the WC can be implemented in an NHL lineup. Fans are seeing what Danny Nelson can do and provide winning hockey to any team he is on. He played great and was extremely productive at the WJC, which is one of the reasons he was on the WC roster

Nelson is returning to Notre Dame for his senior season and I’m told there’s no reason to think he won’t sign his entry-level deal with the Islanders before his right expire on Aug. 15, 2027.

Ok, now to the mailbag!

ROSNER: At the same time, getting Schaefer that playoff experience at 18 years old, along with Calum Ritchie and some other youngsters, and taking advantage of a Vezina-caliber season by Ilya Sorokin, was incredibly important. As of right now, any move that Darche made at the deadline is considered a failure, in my opinion, once the Islanders failed to qualify for the playoffs because that was the top priority. We’ll see how the players he acquired, the one(s) that remain play in 2026-27. Maybe they can change the narrative just a bit.

ROSNER: I think the problem with Alexander Romanov is that we’ve gotten a taste of how good he can be, but due to injuries and inconsistencies, along with struggles from his defense partner, has been prevented the 26-year-old blueliner from showing what he’s got for long stretches at a time. We truly don’t know exactly how good he can be if he’s able to stay healthy and play with a consistent partner.

Because, if we are being honest, Romanov was struggling mightily before his season came to an end prematurely. Now he does sustain an injury early on in the season, missing some time before returning, and didn’t look quite right after that.

The hope is that, once healthy, Romanov can rediscover his game from a few years ago, where he can provide that physical presence but can play strongly within Pete DeBoer’s structure while also bringing the offensive touch he has in his arsenal. But, until he is able to prove that or most of that, people are going to question whether it was wise to extend him eight seasons worth $6.25 million annually last summer. To me, it’s on the player to live up to expectations this upcoming season.

ROSNER: I said this a few days ago on X that Darche doesn’t actually have to create cap space to improve the team. Obviously, having more cap flexibility is something every general manager strives for. They do need to create roster spots, which is a great point.

I don’t see any buyouts coming. Yes, the Islanders would save money in the interim. Engvall has four seasons left at $3 million annually, which means his cap hit would be $1 million, giving the Islanders $2 million in cap relief. Duclair has two seasons left at $3.5 million, which means his cap hit would be $1.667 million, giving the Islanders $1.116 million in cap relief. But, unless Darche has a free agent player he absolutely wants to sign to a cap hit greater than the space he’ll have after coming to terms with the pending unrestricted and restricted free agents he’s bringing back, then is it worth the cap penalty for these buyouts?

Engvall’s cap hit penalty for years five through eight is $1 million annually, while Duclair’s through years three and four is $1.667 million annually.

I don’t see Engvall, who I’m told will be healthy and ready for camp after missing the 2025-26 season due to last offseason hip surgery followed by ankle surgery, being moved. If he doesn’t make the Islanders this fall, he can be buried in the AHL. I think we’ll see Duclair moved this summer. I think we’ll see Ondrej Palat, who has one season left at $6 million, on the Islanders’ fourth line this fall.

Following the 2026-27 season, the Islanders will have seven forwards under contract, including those two, as you mentioned at the top. So it’s more about wants rather than needs when it comes to cap space.

Rosner: Semyon Varlamov, who is trying to mount an NHL comeback after double knee procedures, isn’t “handicapping” the Islanders’ ability to get a decent backup netminder. Yes, Varlamov is under contract for one more season at $2.75 million, but, like we saw this past season, he was placed on Long-Term Injured Reserve, which meant not only did his full cap hit comes off the books, but it also created a roster spot for the backup, David Rittich. I could see how a backup goaltender in free agency could look at the Islanders’ situation and think, “Why would I sign with the Islanders as a backup if that job is not safe?” Rittich was coming off a tough season in Los Angeles and took a one year deal worth $1 million as a prove-it deal.

The truth is, the goaltending market is slim and the door isn’t closed on Rittich returning. The team will continue to monitor Varlamov’s situation before making a decision. There’s no way to know if Varlamov will play 20+ games, let alone one, at this time. There’s no question though that the Islanders will be lookign to bring in an insurance policy.

ROSNER: I think it’s very likely that if Lee is brought back, it’s a one or two-year deal. If it’s a one-year deal, I’d think he’d have a modified no-trade clause, likely 16 teams, and if it’s a two-year deal, he’d get full trade protection in year one, followed by a modified no-trade clause in year two.

Kyle Palmieri, who signed a two-year extension last summer, got a full no-trade in year one and has a modified 16-team this upcoming season. If the Islanders do find themselves on the outside looking in come the 2027 NHL Trade Deadline, Palmieri’s name is going to be on every trade board.

I am not expecting the Islanders’ true roster turnover to begin until the summer of 2027, which is when, as stated above, many contracts come off the books.

MATTHEW SCHAEFER COMING TO MATT MARTIN HOCKEY CAMP