Islanders Offseason Mailbag: The Delicate Balance Between Winning & Youth
Answering your Islanders offseason questions on trades, free agency, prospect development, lineup battles and what comes next for the franchise.
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.
Do you see the Isles changing up the 4th line (or bottom-6 in general) from a traditional “grind” line to a more two-way approach to help balance out the offense? Are there any prospects in the AHL to keep an eye on for that role come September? (@dylanburhans24)
Stefen Rosner: It’s a great question, Dylan. In today’s NHL, I think every line needs to be able to play a two-way game. You look at the Islanders’ fourth line this past season (Kyle MacLean-Casey Cizikas-Marc Gatcomb). They did a tremendous job at generating chance, with a 60.1% Expected Goals For, which was tied with the Emil Heineman-Bo Horvat-Mathew Barzal line to lead the Islanders (100-minute minimum). However, the Cizikas line scored just six goals. Some of that is luck. Most of it is finishing ability. MacLean and Cizikas each have one season left on their deal, while Gatcomb is a pending restricted free agent.
The Islanders could run that trio back, but they certainly don’t have to. Part of the decision will be what happens with Ondrej Palat, who only showed to be a fit on the club’s fourth line. If he’s on the roster come this fall, at $6 million, he’s probably going to play. Now, I do think Matt Luff, Liam Foudy, or a Daylan Kuefler could fight for a job there. I don’t think the likes of Cole Eiserman or Maxim Shabanov, or even Pierre Engvall, make sense on that fourth line because you still need that line to be effective defensively.
When it comes to the third line, I think with Pageau being the center, that line will always have a defensive focus. At this point, we don’t know who his wingers will be — maybe it’s Ritchie and Eklund or Shabanov, which would make it more offensive, or maybe Palmieri plays on that line with Schenn.
The more offensive depth, the better the team will be as long as they don’t sacrifice defense for offense.
With the logjam at Wing and LD, do you see any moves being made to bolster RD-depth through trades / free agency? (@dylanburhans24)
Stefen Rosner: The Islanders lack RHD depth right now, even if they bring back pending unrestricted free agent Tony DeAngelo. When it comes to the draft, RHD Ryan Lin of the Vancouver Giants could be a strong fit to help fill the organization's need.
I don’t think we’ll see Darche go after anyone crazy in free agency. Guys like Darren Raddysh or John Carlson are going to command a ton, given the slim pickings. They could also move an Isaiah George or Kashawn Aitcheson to the right side. We know Matthew Schaefer can play the right side and is more than willing if it helps the team, but I’d be hesitant to move him to his off side.
Where do you see Cal Ritchie slotting next year? Down the middle or on the wing? (@IslesCave)
Stefen Rosner: Head coach Pete DeBoer told Cal Ritchie that he views him as a center. However, he also views Mathew Barzal as a center, and with Jean-Gabriel Pageau getting re-upped on a three-year deal and Casey Cizikas still under contract, Ritchie is expected to start the 2026-27 season on the wing.
He still has work to do in the face-off dot, winning just 36.8% of his draws. Maybe we see DeBoer rock with the Ritchie — Barzal — Schenn line, or maybe Palmieri slots to Barzal’s right.
The problem the Islanders may run into is that, at some point, if they want Ritchie to develop into a center, he’s got to play that role. Maybe it just comes down to Pageau moving to the four C position in 2027-28, and Ritchie getting the opportunity as the 3C. Or, who knows. Maybe Barzal isn’t a center full-time, despite that being the plan.
What is the plan for backup goaltending? We need a better yo-yo guy than Hogberg. Would Rittich be willing to potentially be sent to the AHL, assuming Varlamov is healthy? (@islesdave)
Stefen Rosner: As of right now, I believe the plan, if all continues to go well, is Semyon Varlamov being Ilya Sorokin’s backup to start the season. I do believe that the Islanders and David Rittich’s camp had preliminary contract negotiations, but that was before Varlamov’s two rehab games in Bridgeport, which were big strides for the grizzled vet, strides that answered some really important questions.
Rittich, who signed a one-year deal worth $1 million last July 1, will get more on the open market, and there’s no chance, despite how much he wants to remain with the Islanders, that he’s signing a two-way deal.
With Marcus Hogberg electing to return to Sweden, the Islanders do need to add a Louis Domingue/Pheonix Copley/Hunter Shepard/Cal Petersen-type for Bridgeport as insurance to go along with Henrik Tikkanen. I’d expect Josh Kotai to begin next season in the ECHL so that he can play every day.
What do they do to make some room for younger players? (@islesdave)
Stefen Rosner: Well, the simple answer is to trade players and create that space. Since Darche took over, he said that if young players earn an opportunity, he’ll make room for them. It seems very likely that Anthony Duclair will be moved. We’ll see about Palat. We’ll see about Engvall in terms of making the roster. I think Eklund will make the team, and that’s the only prospect that does so this fall. I think Eiserman needs at least half a season more in the AHL before he gets an NHL shot. Aitcheson might need a full AHL season — there’s no rush for either.
At this point, is it more likely they trade a Barzal or Pelech to change the team dynamic, or do they pretty much run it back, hoping for Ritchie to take a big step into the 2C and counting, getting Romanov and Palmieri back as additions @BMorgan1220
Stefen Rosner: Barzal is not being traded, so we could get out of that bed to rest. The Adam Pelech situation is tricky because while he likely won’t have more value than he does right now, the Islanders get significantly weaker on the backend if he’s moved, even if Alexander Romanov plays to his potential after his injury. The defense, even with Pelech playing at an elite level for most of the season, was a major issue. So, that’s something Darche has to balance when it comes to making a trade.
As mentioned, I don’t see the Islanders making much noise in free agency. It’s more likely that Palmieri and Romanov returning are their biggest moves, with Eklund making the team. I could see maybe a depth move or two, but nothing crazy. If the Islanders do make a big splash, it’s via a trade.
What are the odds that Anders gets re-signed if Darche doesn’t trade or buyout a forward? (@TheNLKing)
Stefen Rosner: I think Lee coming back is incredibly slim right now, and I don’t think the odds change much in Lee’s favor if Darche does clear cap. I do think the Islanders will welcome Lee back, but it will be up to him. Darche likely draws a line in the sand, and I’ll tell you one thing: his cap hit on a one or two-year deal is going to be incredibly lower than his expiring $7 million AAV. I could see the Islanders offering him a tad over $3 million annually.
Lee can still be productive, but if brought back, he obviously takes a spot in the lineup that could go to someone younger and faster.
We’ve seen at least two seasons now where even a mediocre power play likely gets them into a playoff spot. Coaches have been changed, and there’s only so much that can be done with personnel. Realistically, what can Darche, Deboer, and company do to improve results? (@90commercials)
Stefen Rosner: At this point, I am expecting Ray Bennett back as the power play coach. I think what we need to see happen is the power play run through Matthew Schaefer at the point, not Barzal at the left half-wall. Getting into the zone should run through Schaefer as well. They likely need to get away from the neutral-zone drop-pass move that seemingly every NHL team is doing. They need to bring a different look, and once established in the offensive zone, there needs to be an emphasis on just keeping things simple and crashing the net. I spoke with Rob Schremp about this, and he said if you watch the behind-the-goal camera, which faces the slot, too often, you don’t see the Islanders' puck-handlers look toward the goal enough on the power play, which allows the goaltender to anticipate the pass across and get over. Bennett has work to do.
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Lee doesn’t come back at any price, time to move on from the player and the Captaincy Role. This is said with the utmost respect for him and his run on the Island. Last season was good this season was okay, the trend is down and the leadership is questionable 🤨 ????? Team has a coach killer reputation! Ain’t no Nathan Mac fire 🔥 in Lee. The ability to outright challenge players. That falls on Bo whom wasn’t that guy in Vancouver. Here’s a second chance make them want it as much as you do. A Captain has a lot of responsibility, Spokesman Preforming, and hold teammates to a high standard. With Bo’s experience I think his second go around as a Captain will be outstanding. More Young Dude’s need to make this roster or this team is F$&KED and so are the Season Ticket Holders and the Fans. DuClair,Shabonov NO THANKS!, and all free agents let them walk. Running it back and sacrificing another year is pure stupidity. Young players are winning all around the league, let’s build through the draft. Eklund is already penciled in. Eiserman Aitcheson George should be on the opening roster unless they completely fall on their face in Camp which I think is highly doubtful. As soon as the NCAA season ends get Danny Nelson in 4C. Foudy and maybe Jefferies can help also. It’s time to Turn the Page and not making the playoffs clarified our road. I’m happy we collapsed and the reason is Darche realizes lipstick on a pig doesn’t change the fact that a pig is still a pig. Sure they are great people but this is professional sports it’s somewhat irrelevant, are you winning are you entertaining that’s the only thing that matters. Youth must be Served !