5 Free Agents The Islanders Could Still Target
With cap flexibility still available, the Islanders could explore adding another veteran before training camp.
It’s now been over a week since the New York Islanders added Matias Maccelli, Matthew Kessel, and Vitek Vanecek in free agency, shoring up depth throughout the lineup.
According to PuckPedia, the Islanders have $2.997 million in available cap space while carrying three goaltenders on the roster.
The Islanders are unlikely to operate with three goaltenders, meaning they can bury Vanecek’s entire $1 million cap hit in the minors if needed. That would push their available cap space to roughly $4 million.
It’s also worth noting that Matthew Schaefer’s projected $3.5 million performance bonus overage for 2026-27 could effectively be offset by moving Anthony Duclair and his $3.5 million cap hit.
Even if the Islanders finish close to the salary cap ceiling this season, they would still have avenues to absorb any overage, particularly if they create additional flexibility at the trade deadline.
Still, there are always ways to create additional cap flexibility.
While Mathieu Darche’s trade deadline decisions this past season didn’t necessarily reflect his stated desire to create opportunities for young players, that’s the philosophy he has consistently preached since taking over as general manager.
Realistically — and training camp will ultimately provide the answers — Victor Eklund is the only prospect I currently view as having a legitimate chance to make the opening-night roster.
Even then, nothing is guaranteed.
Yes, everyone hopes Cole Eiserman, Daniil Prokhorov, and Kashawn Aitcheson turn heads this fall, but all three would likely benefit from additional development time before making the jump to the NHL.
It’s a delicate balance. Darche wants to leave room for young players to earn NHL opportunities, but he also has a mandate to put the most competitive team possible on the ice.
With that in mind, here are five free agents the Islanders could still consider ahead of the 2026-27 season.
It’s now been over a week since the New York Islanders added Matias Maccelli, Matthew Kessel, and Vitek Vanecek in free agency, shoring up depth throughout the lineup.
According to PuckPedia, the Islanders have $2.997 million in available cap space while carrying three goaltenders on the roster.
The Islanders are unlikely to operate with three goaltenders, meaning they can bury Vanecek’s entire $1 million cap hit in the minors if needed. That would push their available cap space to roughly $4 million.
It’s also worth noting that Matthew Schaefer’s projected $3.5 million performance bonus overage for 2026-27 could effectively be offset by moving Anthony Duclair and his $3.5 million cap hit.
Even if the Islanders finish close to the salary cap ceiling this season, they would still have avenues to absorb any overage, particularly if they create additional flexibility at the trade deadline.
Still, there are always ways to create additional cap flexibility.
While Mathieu Darche’s trade deadline decisions this past season didn’t necessarily reflect his stated desire to create opportunities for young players, that’s the philosophy he has consistently preached since taking over as general manager.
Realistically — and training camp will ultimately provide the answers — Victor Eklund is the only prospect I currently view as having a legitimate chance to make the opening-night roster.
Even then, nothing is guaranteed.
Yes, everyone hopes Cole Eiserman, Daniil Prokhorov, and Kashawn Aitcheson turn heads this fall, but all three would likely benefit from additional development time before making the jump to the NHL.
It’s a delicate balance. Darche wants to leave room for young players to earn NHL opportunities, but he also has a mandate to put the most competitive team possible on the ice.
With that in mind, here are five free agents the Islanders could still consider ahead of the 2026-27 season.
PATRICK KANE
I’m very transparent with you guys — I get information, I share it — and on July 1, two different sources told me that Patrick Kane’s agent had talks with the Islanders.
Now, it’s hard to see why Kane, at 36, would be interested in joining a team that isn’t viewed as a Stanley Cup contender when that opportunity still exists elsewhere.
Maybe the chance to play alongside Mathew Barzal or Matthew Schaefer is appealing.
I was told Barzal’s name specifically came up in those conversations.
Kane, who recorded 16 goals and 41 assists for 57 points last season, just completed a one-year contract worth $3 million in base salary with an additional $4 million available in performance bonuses.
The Islanders could structure a similar deal, with any earned bonuses carrying over to the 2027-28 cap. One of the greatest American-born players in NHL history, Kane would not only help the Islanders’ transition game at five-on-five but also provide another dangerous weapon on the power play, where he produced 19 points (two goals, 17 assists) last season.
It’s also worth noting that Kane shares an agent, Pat Brisson, with Islanders defenseman Tony DeAngelo.
Projected line: Eklund — Horvat — Kane
PATRIK LAINE
On July 1, I was told the Islanders were one of a handful of teams that had shown interest in Patrik Laine. I’m not sure that interest remains after the addition of Maccelli, but given that he’s still available, it may be worth revisiting.
What makes the 27-year-old particularly intriguing is that, because he spent more than 100 days on Injured Reserve this past season, he is eligible to sign a bonus-laden contract.
A one-year deal carrying a $1 million base salary with performance bonuses tied to games played, goals, and points could make a lot of sense for both sides. The Islanders would add a proven goal scorer without significantly impacting their current cap situation, while Laine would have the opportunity to rebuild his value.
The fit on the power play is obvious. Fifteen of Laine’s 20 goals in 2024-25 — he only played five games last season with one assist — came on the man advantage, an area where the Islanders have been searching for answers for years.
Potential line: Ritchie — Barzal — Laine
EELI TOLVANEN
Eeli Tolvanen was a player the Islanders probably should have had interest in when the Nashville Predators placed him on waivers during the 2022-23 season, even amid his struggles.
Since joining the Seattle Kraken, Tolvanen has developed into a reliable middle-six contributor, recording at least 30 points in each of the last four seasons, including 36 points (12 goals, 24 assists) this past year.
What makes Tolvanen an intriguing fit in a Pete DeBoer system is his strong two-way game and ability to contribute in a variety of situations.
He just completed the final season of a two-year contract carrying a $3.475 million cap hit and is likely seeking something in a similar range.
At 30 years old, it would be surprising if the Islanders had any interest in committing to him beyond a one-year deal.
Potential line: Maccelli — Pageau — Tolvanen
ANTHONY MANTHA
Coming off a career year in which he scored 33 goals and added 31 assists for 64 points, it’s a bit of a head-scratcher that Anthony Mantha remains unsigned. After signing a one-year, $2.5 million prove-it deal, he’s likely looking to cash in.
However, despite the strong regular season, Mantha was largely a non-factor in Pittsburgh’s first-round series against the Philadelphia Flyers. As a result, teams may be struggling to determine whether his bounce-back campaign is sustainable or simply a one-off following several inconsistent seasons.
That said, 30-goal scorers don’t grow on trees, and the Islanders have never truly replaced the goal-scoring element Brock Nelson provided. With Anders Lee, a reliable 20-goal scorer, also gone, there’s a need to replace some of that lost offense.
If Mantha, 31, is willing to accept another one-year contract — something he likely has little interest in doing — the Islanders should at least explore the possibility. If not, they should move on.
Potential line: Mantha—Pageau—Holmstrom
MICHAEL BUNTING
Prior to Michael Bunting being dealt from the Nashville Predators to the Dallas Stars for a third-round pick, the Islanders had talks with Barry Trotz about the forward.
However, no deal came together, and interest faded after the Islanders acquired Ondrej Palat from the New Jersey Devils.
Still, circumstances change, and Bunting remains a player whose style could appeal to DeBoer.
While it may not seem like the Islanders need to add more bottom-six depth, the 30-year-old provides a strong net-front presence, speed, and a relentless forechecking style.
Bunting just completed the final season of a three-year deal worth $4.5 million annually and likely won’t be asking for much more than that after recording just two points (one goal, one assist) in 13 regular-season games for Dallas. He was then a healthy scratch for the first five games of the Stars’ opening-round series before dressing for Game 6, where he recorded an assist.
Potential line: Bunting—Pageau—Holmstrom
Final Thoughts
As mentioned earlier, Darche has made it clear that he does not want to block the organization’s young players. At the same time, he has emphasized that prospects should thrive—not just survive—when they reach the NHL level.
If the Islanders were to add another free agent, I don’t believe it would come at Eklund’s expense. However, an additional signing, particularly in the bottom six, could require a corresponding roster move.
The Islanders also received a second buyout window after restricted free agent Alex Jefferies filed for salary arbitration, giving them another avenue to create flexibility if necessary.
Kane and Laine are the clear headliners on this list because they project as top-six forwards who could provide a significant offensive boost. The other names are more complementary pieces who could help offset some of the production lost with Lee’s departure while fitting the heavier, harder style DeBoer appears to want the Islanders to play.
