There are only a few weeks left until New York Islanders hockey returns.
Training camp is right around the corner; preseason games will be here before you know it, and we’ll soon start getting answers to many of the questions that have defined the offseason.
Until then, Free Friday will continue to be your weekly Islanders mailbag, where your questions take center stage.
Before we get to this week’s mailbag, I ran a handful of exclusive interviews with Matthew Schaefer earlier in the week if you want to check them out:
Ok, let’s get to this week’s questions!
Question 1: Darche & Cap Flexibility
ROSNER: When we spoke with Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche following Day 1 of NHL Free Agency, he talked about the flexibility he’ll have next summer.
“We’ll have probably over $40 million of cap space next summer,” Darche said, before pointing to the young players he hopes will be impacting the NHL lineup over the next few years.
But I wouldn’t put too much stock in that $40 million figure.
The Islanders have Kyle Palmieri, Casey Cizikas, Ondrej Palat, Kyle MacLean and Semyon Varlamov coming off the books, but they’ll also have several restricted free agents to pay, including Simon Holmstrom, Emil Heineman and Isaiah George, potentially Matias Maccelli, along with needing a backup goaltender.
And then there’s Matthew Schaefer, who will be eligible to sign an extension on July 1, 2027.
So, realistically, that $40 million could quickly become something closer to the low-$20 million range, depending on who stays and whether Darche moves any other contracts.
But free agency isn’t what it once was, with more players signing extensions before ever reaching July 1. That’s why I think the bigger question is whether Darche can entice players to want to be on Long Island through trades and then sign them long-term, much like Lou Lamoriello did with Bo Horvat.
Matthew Schaefer is the biggest piece of that pitch. But Pete DeBoer getting the Islanders back into the playoffs might be just as important.
The NHL isn’t like some other sports. Players want to win. If the Islanders can show they’re building something around Schaefer and are ready to contend, Long Island becomes a much easier sell.
Question 2: Will Darche Try To Make This Team Better Before Camp
ROSNER: I don’t see Darche adding to this roster ahead of training camp, other than potentially bringing in a few players on Professional Tryouts.
There’s going to be plenty of competition for the final few spots, whether it’s a top prospect like Victor Eklund or a role player like Mitchell Chaffee. I think it’s important to show those players there’s a path to an NHL job rather than signing someone else to plug a hole.
The Islanders have just $2.934 million in available cap space, per PuckPedia, but that figure includes Vitek Vanecek and his $1 million cap hit on the NHL roster, as well as Semyon Varlamov. So, in reality, they have $3.934 million to work with.
That extra million matters when you consider Matthew Schaefer could hit his $3.5 million performance bonus again in Year 2.
If the Islanders can avoid having that bonus carry over as a cap penalty next season, especially with the moves Darche may want to make next summer, that’s ideal.
Question 3: Who Is Eklund Ahead Of On Depth Chart
ROSNER: While I think Eklund is unquestionably going to be an NHLer — and a top-six one — there is a scenario where he starts the season in Hamilton.
He’s already gotten a taste of the AHL, playing nine regular-season games and two playoff games, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility that the organization takes the Cal Ritchie route with him. If Eklund doesn’t win a top-six NHL job out of camp, let him play big minutes in Hamilton and be the first call-up.
“Thrive, not survive” is Darche’s mantra when it comes to young players, and I think that applies here.
As for who Eklund has to beat out for an opening-night roster spot, you’re probably looking at one of Ondrej Palat, Anthony Duclair, Pierre Engvall or Kyle MacLean.
But there’s an opening in the Islanders’ top six. There’s no question about that.
Eklund has to earn it.
Question 4: Why Is Cole Eiserman Not A Lock To Make Lineup
ROSNER: There’s a very simple answer to your question. What’s preventing Cole Eiserman from being a lock is his lack of pro experience — just 14 games — and his game away from the puck.
He’s a goal scorer and projects to be an elite one for a franchise starving for that kind of player. But being a goal scorer alone isn’t enough to play in the NHL.
Look at Patrik Laine. He’s scored 40 goals at the NHL level, yet he’s still a free agent because of what he can’t do when the puck isn’t on his stick.
Listen, I think Eiserman’s two-way game is underrated. But he has to prove in training camp that he can play responsibly in all three zones without sacrificing what makes him special offensively.
If he does that, he’s going to make it very difficult for the Islanders to send him back to Hamilton.
Where Does Simon Holmstrom Fit As Top-Six Prospects Are Getting Ready To Turn Pro?
ROSNER: This is a massive season for Simon Holmstrom, who has been eligible to sign a long-term extension since July 1.
The 25-year-old has shown flashes of offensive brilliance but hasn’t been consistent enough to lock down a top-six role. What earned him his NHL opportunity in 2022-23 — and what’s kept him in the lineup — has been his defensive game at 5-on-5 and on the penalty kill.
Holmstrom has had opportunities to win a top-six job, most recently this past season when Kyle Palmieri tore his ACL in November. He didn’t take advantage.
Pete DeBoer did play Holmstrom alongside Bo Horvat and Victor Eklund on the top line in Game 82, perhaps hinting at where he sees No. 92 fitting this season. But it’s on Holmstrom now.
It’s not about skill. That’s there. It’s about having the confidence to consistently use it, and that’s always been the case with him.
With Eklund, Cole Eiserman, and eventually players like Quinn Finley and Daniil Prokhorov pushing for NHL jobs, the pressure is on Holmstrom to prove he can be a top-six player.
If he can’t, that doesn’t mean he isn’t valuable. His two-way skill set is incredibly useful to a team trying to win a Stanley Cup. But if Holmstrom can become a legitimate top-six offensive weapon, especially with how difficult those players are to acquire, that would be a massive win for the Islanders — and for Holmstrom when it’s time to sign his next contract, which right now could fall somewhere in the $6-7 million range annually.
As for your second question, a successful season for Eklund is less about the numbers for me and more about him showing that he can play a big game as a smaller player. We saw Max Shabanov struggle to play the NHL game at his size this past season, despite his success in the KHL. While Eklund is two inches taller, his size led to his falling in his draft year.
The best ability is availability…