Only a handful of weeks remain until New York Islanders hockey is back.
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 New York Islanders mailbag, where your questions take center stage.
Let’s get to this week’s questions!
Question 1: Matias Maccelli Lineup Spot
ROSNER: When we spoke with Mathieu Darche following Day 1 of free agency, he did mention Matias Maccelli playing in the top six.
Now, there’s going to be competition at camp, and Maccelli is a guy who has a lot to prove after a down year in Toronto, where he was not tendered a qualifying offer.
I think Victor Eklund is going to be a top-six forward in the National Hockey League and probably a very good second-liner. If Eklund wins a top-six job, I think Maccelli starts in the bottom six. If Eklund doesn’t win a top-six job and is playing on the third line, then I think Maccelli does, in fact, start in the top six.
I wouldn’t be shocked to see Maccelli line up with Barzal, but really, it’s going to come down to how good he looks at camp.
But yes, I think his game fits Barzal.
Question 2: Why AHL Team Isn’t Playing At Nassau Coliseum
ROSNER: I’ve seen a lot of people, ahead of Bridgeport’s move to Hamilton, mention Nassau Coliseum as a spot where they should’ve moved instead.
In theory, it makes a ton of sense. It’s close by, fans can go watch the prospects and all that good stuff, right?
But I think a lot of it has to do with how close it is to UBS Arena. While many might think that doesn’t matter, you might decide, you know what, it’s cheaper to go see an AHL Islanders game than go pay the money to see the Islanders at UBS Arena. So there’s that potential impact as well.
The other part is the money it would take to maintain a team at Nassau Coliseum. Security, staffing and all that good stuff costs money, too. Would they draw enough people for that to make sense?
Right now, the Coliseum isn’t being used for much anymore, maybe a couple of concerts here and there. But I think its location relative to UBS, and the impact it could have on ticket sales, is probably part of why it hasn’t happened.
Question 3: Islanders Radio
ROSNER: Unless something has changed, Alan Fuehring is your play-by-play man on the radio, with people like Josh Bailey and others filling in as the color commentator.
When Brendan Burke does national games that aren't also Islanders games, Fuehring will call those games on MSG, with the radio broadcast simulcast like we saw this past season.
Again, that’s if nothing has changed, but I haven’t heard anything about them making any kind of adjustments.
I don’t know offhand how many games Burke missed last season, but I don’t believe it was half. I think we’re overdoing it a bit there.
Question 4: Darche To Hand Out Any PTOs?
ROSNER: I don’t think Darche will be handing out any PTOs at training camp.
It made sense why he didn’t last year because he didn’t really know the team yet. He was still getting used to his players, the roster, the coaching staff, and all that stuff.
But you also have to remember that you only bring players in on PTOs if you think they could actually help the team.
Now, I did mention Oliver Wahlstrom as someone who could potentially return, as his agent has had talks with the Islanders about some kind of move. I still don’t think a PTO is likely if that does come to fruition. I think it's more likely he gets an AHL deal.
But again, he had a good season with the San Jose Barracuda, so maybe he does get a cheap NHL deal.
Outside of a Wahlstrom possibility, the Islanders have a lot of forwards, especially depth forwards, as well as defensemen. I just don’t really see a need for them to bring someone in on a PTO right now.
Question 5: Patrik Laine PTO
ROSNER: The noise that I heard about Patrik Laine came on Day 1 of NHL free agency and Day 1 of NHL free agency only.
I reported that the Islanders had talks with Patrik Laine’s camp, and I didn’t believe they were willing to offer anything more than a PTO.
Now, as the offseason winds down, maybe Laine’s camp is willing to take a PTO if he doesn’t get a one-year deal with bonuses, given how many games he missed last year. Maybe the Islanders circle back. But as of right now, I don’t think it’s going to happen.
Yes, Laine can help the power play, but he struggles in his own zone, and I don’t know how much he’d fit a Pete DeBoer system.
As of right now, it’s pretty crowded. Anthony Duclair will be here, and there are going to be other guys fighting for spots, including some of the younger players.
If Laine did get a PTO, he’d have to really stand out for them to offer him a deal.
Question 6: 2026-27 Third Jersey Competition
ROSNER: I think you nailed it on the head.
While there’s been no official announcement regarding the Islanders’ 2026-27 NHL Hometown Remix jersey, there was a leak that it would be a white jersey with the Fisherman logo.
I can’t confirm that right now, but it makes sense that could play a part in them not wanting to go with another white jersey.
Also, as you know, white isn’t worn at home. Now, there are exceptions, but it’s definitely not ideal for the team to have an alternate jersey that’s white.
https://www.si.com/nhl/islanders/onsi/news/why-ny-islanders-might-be-better-than-last-year-despite-quiet-offseason
💯 Agree 👍
Forget Liane or anyone else on the roster. Eiserman is the lightening rod. Let’s see if he rises to the occasion during Camp. He can be a Home Grown Sniper. I’m sure he will be at his best during Camp. Pete isn’t going to sleep on this kid. That PP needs exactly what Eiserman brings. If I’m Eiserman do I want to go up to Hamilton or stay on the Island?