Simon Holmstrom Might Be The Islanders’ Biggest Internal X-Factor In 2026-27
Simon Holmstrom has shown flashes of top-six potential throughout his NHL career. If he takes the next step offensively in 2026-27, it could change everything for the Islanders.
We’ve talked a lot about how badly the New York Islanders need a top-six weapon, whether that comes via a trade or internally through draft and development.
What hasn’t been discussed enough is how important it would be for Simon Holmstrom to prove he can consistently be more than just a third-line winger at the NHL level.
Since breaking into the NHL in 2022-23, Holmstrom has developed into a strong shutdown forward, often playing alongside Jean-Gabriel Pageau on the Islanders’ third line and top penalty kill.
But he’s shown offensive upside, too.
In 2023-24, his first full NHL season, Holmstrom recorded 15 goals and 10 assists for 25 points in 75 games. He followed that up with 20 goals and 25 assists for 45 points in 75 games during the 2024-25 season.
Although he didn’t surpass those totals in 2025-26, finishing with 19 goals and 22 assists for 41 points, he did set a career-high with 100 shots on goal.
Still, stat lines can be deceiving.
This past season, Holmstrom went six or more games without a goal on six separate occasions, including a brutal 17-game goal drought in the middle of the year.
Those extended dry spells throughout the years have prevented coaches — whether Barry Trotz, Lane Lambert, or Patrick Roy — from keeping him in a sustained top-six role.
This is the NHL. Top-six minutes have to be earned.
But let’s not get things twisted: Holmstrom has the tools to be a second-line, two-way winger.
He’s got an elite shot, strong crossovers in transition, a long stick that helps create time and space offensively, and high-end hockey IQ.
For Holmstrom, it has always come down to confidence.
And Pete DeBoer might be the coach who finally unlocks that next level, the one the Islanders envisioned when they selected Holmstrom 23rd overall in 2019.