Islanders Mailbag: Predicting Opening Night Lines, Prospect Standouts & Roster Decisions
What could the Islanders' opening-night lineup look like? Plus, thoughts on top development camp standouts, Alexander Romanov's future and more.
Now that the 2026 NHL Draft, free agency, and development camp are in the books, the Islanders’ offseason is entering a different phase—but that doesn’t mean the news cycle is slowing down.
With the season long over and the biggest summer events behind us, Free Friday is shifting back into offseason mode, with a weekly New York Islanders mailbag where your questions take center stage.
And don’t get it twisted: there’s still plenty happening.
From exclusive interviews and insider reporting to in-depth analysis and behind-the-scenes access, The Elmonters isn’t going anywhere. We’ll be tracking every roster move, contract negotiation, prospect development, and storyline that shapes the months ahead.
So let’s dive into this week’s mailbag.
ROSNER: Ok, so here’s the situation with Vitek Vanecek, who signed a one-year, $1 million deal to be the backup to the backup. The deal is one-way, which means Vanecek makes his money regardless of where he plays. That’s all. I don’t see a situation where the Islanders carry three goalies, but there also shouldn’t be any concern that Vanecek gets claimed off waivers when optioned to Hamilton. If Varlamov proves ready, Vanecek will hit waivers on that final day before teams have to be cap-compliant, a day when so many players around the league are on the wire.
Every team is shedding cap, not adding cap, to their NHL roster, which is why you very rarely see players claimed on that day, so there should be zero concern about Vanecek being claimed.
ROSNER: While general manager Darche was taking on calls on Alexander Romanov, I don’t see a world where he’s moved before the start of the season. Given that he is coming off shoulder surgery, teams were likely looking to buy low on a player who, when at his best, is a violent defenseman who can impact the game more than just on the scoreboard.
However, like with trading Adam Pelech, the Islanders aren’t in a position to move an LHD until they know exactly what Isaiah George is and how close Kashawn Aitcheson or Malte Gustafsson is. What I think happens is that the Islanders hope for a solid year from Romanov, and either they are satisfied with him moving forward, or they move him before his no-trade clause kicks in on July 1, 2027.
ROSNER: I’ll be honest. I’m shocked Anthony Duclair is still on the team right now. That being said, head coach Pete DeBoer made it clear that, with him as the coach now, everyone gets a fresh slate, and he knows that Duclair, when at his best, can be a difference-maker offensively. I asked Darche about Duclair, who said he’s on the team right now and that he’ll have to earn a spot this fall. I still think the Islanders look to find a new home for him after the nightmare two seasons he’s had. His no-trade clause turned into a 16-team modified no-trade clause on July 1, and with only two seasons left on his deal at a manageable $3.5 million annually, he's a bit easier to move. He did decline to waive his no-trade clause in a deal earlier in the season.
As for Pierre Engvall, he’s healthy and is expected to fight for a roster spot this fall. However, the Islanders can now bury $1.225 million of his $3 million cap hit in the minors, leaving just $1.775 million on the books. Engvall does have a 16-team modified no-trade clause, with four years left on his deal. Given tha he missed the entire season after hip and ankle surgery, I’m sure opposing teams aren’t lining up, especially since Engvall’s game is speed. He’ll have to prove he can at least move out there before any team even considers taking him on.
Both players’ games are based on speed, and that’s what DeBoer’s system is all about.
ROSNER: Isaiah George was the best player at development camp and should have been. Danny Nelson, given his size and the way he moves out there, looks NHL-ready. And, Daniil Prokhorov really impressed me with the way he gets up the ice and his zero hesitation to cut to the net.
I know you only asked for three, but I also thought Victor Eklund looked extremely confident out there while Kashawn Aitcheson’s skating continues to take massive, important strides. Tomas Poletin can also flat-out rip it, and what impressed me most about him was how quickly he gets up the ice. Gleb Veremyev also played like a man on a mission the entire week, like he had a chip on his shoulder after struggling this past season.
ROSNER: The way Darche talked about Maccelli, it sounded like he believed he could play in the top six. However, when we spoke with DeBoer, it sounded like he was keen on keeping the Cal Ritchie, Mathew Barzal, and Brayden Schenn line together.
So here’s my best guess at what we could potentially see on opening night:
Eklund-Horvat-Palmieri
Ritchie-Barzal-Schenn
Maccelli-Pageau-Holmstrom
Palat-Cizikas-Heineman
ROSNER: I believe the Islanders are one of many teams that showed interest in bringing Patrik Laine aboard. That’s what I was told on July 1. However, he’s not an Islander yet. Given the addition of Matias Maccelli, who signed a prove-it deal, I’m not sure the Islanders’ appetite is to add another prove-it guy, especially with how log-jammed the Islanders ’ forward depth is.
But we wait and see until Laine signs somewhere. Take this for what it’s worth, but I was also told by two people that there were some convos with Patrick Kane’s representatives, but I don’t think they went anywhere. I’d expect him to sign with the Buffalo Sabres or the Toronto Maple Leafs.
ROSNER: I asked DeBoer this exact question on Thursday, and he said that they are not adding another assistant coach. Rocky Thompson, who was promoted following the Bridgeport Islanders’ season, will take the point on the power play.
But DeBoer made it clear that, whether it was the power play, the penalty kill, the offense, the defense, etc., it would all be a collaborative effort. DeBoer said that’s how he operates.
ROSNER: I don’t think the Islanders were interested in going more than one year on an Anders Lee extension. That’s where the line was drawn.
While having the cap space and roster spots to add in free agency is certainly an option, the decision not to give Lee the extension he wanted is more about the prospects potentially being ready to go over the next 1-2 years.
MATTHEW SCHAEFER COMING TO MATT MARTIN HOCKEY CAMP
I’m looking at a First Line of Heineman Horvat Holmstrom 3 H Line. I think those two are qualified to take the next step and most of all bring a complete game. I believe the top end scoring is there on this line. The second line of Schenn Barzel and Ritchie is perfect. Third Line of Eklund JG Palmeri, great line too. Fourth line and reserves is anyone’s guess at this moment. This team can compete! Don’t think Casey is more than a reserve and spot player at this point, similar to Mayfield’s role on D.