Islanders Mailbag: Blue-Line Questions, Draft Plans & More
Will the Islanders upgrade the right side of their defense this summer? Plus, thoughts on free agency, Ryan Lin at No. 13, Kashawn Aitcheson's timeline, trade rumors and more in this week's mailbag.
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.
Enjoy the last mailbag before the 2026 NHL Draft, which takes place next Friday.
ROSNER: Well, I think North American and NHL experience play a huge factor here. You are comparing Shabanov, in one season with limited minutes, to players who are proven difference-makers at the NHL level. When you're a smaller player, you not only have to work a bit harder but also play a bit smarter and pick your spots. I think that's something Shabanov learned the hard way in Year 1. Injuries are going to happen, but Shabanov has to make sure he's putting himself in better positions to create offense without always sacrificing his body to make a play.
ROSNER: It’s hard to say which right-handed defenseman the Islanders should be interested in without knowing the future of pending unrestricted free agent Tony DeAngelo. My gut feeling is that if he were coming back, we would’ve heard more movement by now, but there’s also some time between now and July 1 for things to change. I think, if the Islanders can, they want to get younger on the blue line and potentially find that longer-term partner for Matthew Schaefer. If DeAngelo isn’t coming back, Bowen Byram is someone who should be on their radar. The same goes for Jordan Spence.
ROSNER: The first part of your question is interesting because there aren't many top-six options available in free agency. The Islanders have become notorious for signing more middle-six players and trying to turn them into top-six guys, which hasn't worked often enough. I look at someone like Mason Marchment as a top-six option, but he'll likely cost north of $5 million. I also wonder about Patrik Laine, who may have to take a prove-it deal after his $8.7 million AAV contract expired. Oliver Bjorkstrand and Vladimir Tarasenko are two other names worth watching, assuming they reach free agency. As for No. 13, I think Ryan Lin could very seriously end up being the pick. Maybe the Islanders would even have interest in trading back in the first round to acquire a second-round pick, given that they currently don't own a second or third-round selection.
ROSNER: I think this would be about as much as the Islanders are willing to give up for Jordan Kyrou, and I'm not sure it's enough. If the Islanders were the only team in the mix for Kyrou — and they're not — it's a solid return. But if another club is offering a higher first-round pick than No. 13 or a more highly regarded prospect, it's hard to envision Kyrou landing on Long Island. The Islanders have had conversations, but I'm not sure they have the assets to be the top trade partner, especially given how many teams covet consistent 30-goal scorers.
ROSNER: When you only own one pick through the first three rounds because of previous trades, it’s usually smart to use the pick. The Islanders severely lack right-handed defensemen in their pipeline, so adding Ryan Lin would make a lot of sense. Darche has made it clear that he isn’t eager to move his top prospects, so draft picks become the next logical trade chips. If Darche decides to make a major splash, I wouldn’t be shocked if it involved the 2027 first-round pick.
ROSNER: I don't think there's any way Aitcheson makes the team out of training camp. As of right now, with Matthew Schaefer, Adam Pelech, and Alexander Romanov on the roster, there simply isn't room on the left side, and Aitcheson will benefit immensely from gaining experience under Jay McKee in Hamilton. I do think Isaiah George would be the first option on the left side if there's an injury, but maybe Aitcheson gets a look late in the season if the Islanders are in sell mode by the trade deadline. There's absolutely no reason to rush him.
ROSNER: I think with all of the rumors and reports out there, people really need to pay attention to the wording because it’s usually deliberate, even if it’s sometimes misconstrued. The Mathew Barzal trade rumors stemmed from Bruce Garrioch’s report that the Islanders were taking calls on No. 13. That’s not news, and it’s something that happens all the time, as teams routinely call one another to gauge a player’s availability and asking price. Islanders fans are just used to Lou Lamoriello’s cone of silence, where this kind of information rarely gets out.
When it comes to Kyrou, there’s no question the Islanders were interested before the trade deadline and have since re-engaged in talks. I can’t say the Islanders are leading the race — it doesn’t sound like they are — but they’ve certainly had meaningful conversations.
MATTHEW SCHAEFER COMING TO MATT MARTIN HOCKEY CAMP
