The New York Islanders have a defensive dilemma.
And it’s one that has been building for quite some time.
Between injuries, roster moves, and the development of younger players, the Islanders have spent the better part of the last two seasons trying to piece together a defense capable of providing consistent results.
20 Takeaways From Islanders’ Healthiest Practice Yet
After falling 3-2 to the San Jose Sharks on Monday, the New York Islanders stayed in Northern California, hit the practice ice, then flew to Los Angeles.
General manager Mathieu Darche has made several moves to address the blue line, while head coach Pete DeBoer has experimented with different combinations in hopes of finding the right balance.
But nearly a month and a half into the 2026-27 season, questions remain.
The Islanders have a boatload of NHL-tested defensemen, yet they’re still trying to determine which six give them the best chance to win.
And their recent play hasn’t exactly provided much reassurance.
Over their current four-game slide, the Islanders have allowed an average of 38.75 shots per game, forcing their goaltenders to handle a significant workload.
Now, that’s not solely on the defensemen. The Islanders have to be better defensively as a five-man unit.
But there’s no question that the construction of the blue line, and how DeBoer has utilized it, deserves a closer look, especially with Ryan Pulock nearing a return from injury, Matthew Schaefer continuing to play on his off-side, and Alexander Romanov sidelined for the second consecutive season.
But another part of this equation shouldn’t be overlooked.