Time For The Islanders To Play The Waiting Game
The Islanders do have assets. Maybe, after certain teams failed in free agency, Darche will be getting some phone calls from teams who are more willing to match price tags.
Happy Free Friday everyone!
Outside of coming to terms with restricted free agent Maxim Tsyplakov on a new deal, the New York Islanders should be done adding to their roster.
First-time general manager Mathieu Darche had holes he needed to fill, which he did through the 2025 NHL Draft and free agency.
The No. 1 overall pick, defenseman Matthew Schaefer, will be a long-term replacement for Noah Dobson, who Darche shipped to the Montreal Canadiens after the two sides failed to come to terms on an extension.
Tony DeAngelo, signing a one-year, $1.75 million deal, serves as a short-term solution on the right side. Adam Boqvist, whose game Roy loved, signed a one-year deal worth $850,000 to serve as a depth piece.
Darche wants the Islanders to play a faster brand of hockey — so does head coach Patrick Roy — so he brought in Jonathan Drouin on a two-year deal worth $4 million annually and KHL star Maxim Shabanov on a one-year, entry-level deal worth $975,000.
Goaltender David Rittich, who signed a one-year deal worth $1 million, was added as an insurance policy in case Semyon Varlamov is unable to go.
The Islanders have a logjam when it comes to their lineup, so, if anything, the Islanders will be subtracting from their roster before opening night, not adding.
And that’s why they now play the waiting game when it comes to a few players on their roster.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau (16-team no-trade clause), who has one season left on his deal worth $5 million annually, was a center who garnered interest at the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline and again at the 2025 NHL Draft. But Darche said he wasn’t interested.
Why would Darche move Pageau when he can hold onto him until the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline, where teams become more desperate and tend to overpay?
However, with teams striking out on the free-agent market, it’s possible that a team circles back on Pageau and makes an offer that Darche may have a hard time refusing.
The same can be said for other players in the Islanders’ lineup, like right-side defenseman Scott Mayfield (full no-trade clause), who has five seasons left on his deal worth $3.5 million.
Depending on how Roy feels, Mayfield could be the seventh defenseman to start the season, since that’s how he ended the 2024–25 campaign.
Forward Pierre Engvall (16-team no-trade clause), who has five seasons left on his deal worth $3 million annually, is likely the odd man out amongst the forward group — as we saw last training camp.
I’m not sure Darche was holding onto Engvall because of value, but, hey, you never know.
I would have said maybe the Islanders move Anthony Duclair, who has three seasons left on his deal worth $3.5 million annually, but he has a full no-trade clause — and we learned yesterday that he is best friends with Drouin.
I’m sure he and Roy will be able to put last season’s late-season fiasco behind them.
I am curious to see what happens with goaltender Marcus Högberg, who has one season left on his deal worth $775,000. With Rittich now part of the equation as the No. 3, and Tristan Lennox and Henrik Tikkanen in the pipeline to play in Bridgeport, Högberg is expendable.
Teams can never have enough goalies, and there may be teams out there that want to shore up their crease — whether that’s getting a backup with NHL experience or bringing in a mentor for their AHL affiliate goaltender.
I keep thinking about center Casey Cizikas, who has two seasons left on his deal worth $2.5 million annually and zero trade protection. If the Islanders believe Cal Ritchie is ready — we already know Mathew Barzal is going back to center — that means the Islanders likely have to move a centerman to make space.
Yes, I know his dear friend Matt Martin is now part of upper management, but…
Outside of waiting for phone calls on players, they also have to wait to decide on Schaefer. Does he go the NCAA route? Does he return to juniors? Or does he receive a nine-game sample — the likely outcome — before the organization has to make a decision?
They have to wait and see how Varlamov looks in training camp, as well as Duclair, given their injuries. I guess the same needs to be said for Barzal, who is coming off an injury-riddled season, and Bo Horvat, who was injured at the World Championships.
Both are expected to be 100% ready to go for the 2025-26 season.
The Islanders also have to wait and see if Shabanov’s game can translate to the NHL.
Darche and Roy are confident in the group they have, and it’s clear that Darche isn’t going to make moves that impact his ability to infuse youth into the lineup over the next few years.
That’s why, outside of inking defenseman Alexander Romanov to an eight-year deal worth $6.25 million, none of the deals Darche signed were lengthy in terms.
So now, we just wait to see if any teams come calling with offers Darche can’t refuse.
ISLANDERS NEWS
SIGN YOUR CHILD UP FOR THE MATT MARTIN HOCKEY ACADEMY CAMP:
Looking at Victor Eklund’s highlights he is a pure sniper. Kid likely will grow to 6 ft 180 ish easy. Both him and Cole Eiserman are the kind of guys that can beat Goaltenders from distance with their explosive accurate shots. That’s special talent in today’s game. They both are no wallflowers either! These two are exactly what the islanders have needed for so long. It’s very possible both make the team out of camp next year. Getting Eklund at 16 was a complete steal. Getting Eiserman last year same thing. The Islanders luck is certainly changing.
Strangely this season might be a pivotal one. Darche is looking at it as a referendum on the Core.The competition for roster spots outside that core is real. To me the key to the season is can the wings score a lot and consistently. Holmstrom Tsyplakov Palmeri Shabanov Lee Drouin (DuClair/Engvall) They all need massive seasons! If these guys falter the season is done. They somehow have to get between 20th and 15th in scoring to have a successful season. This is in conjunction with strong goaltending and dependable defense. If it breaks right you’re looking at a fun season, with a hope and a prayer first round playoff series. If not back to the lottery and continuing to sand off the old rust on the frame. If that’s the outcome they maybe looking at core parts to move. Basically the vets need to prove they want to be here and can win to Darche. Remember he ain’t married to no one. So either they win as the new players are incorporated, or further changes to that core will be made. It’s a prove it season for every guy in that locker room Players and Coaches. I expect they will make the playoffs. If not that trade deadline will be an absolute bloodbath. Darche is more calculating and ruthlessly than Lou, and that’s a compliment.