5 Surprise Standouts From Islanders Preseason
The Islanders went 2-2-2 through six preseason games and have a week to wait before the start of their regular season.
Preseason is over, but before we turn our attention to the start of the 2025-26 NHL regular season, here are my five surprise standouts on this glorious Free Friday:
Matthew Schaefer:
From puck drop to kick off the preseason, it became clear rather quickly as to why Schaefer went No. 1 overall. From his elite skating to his elite IQ, you could envision the difference-maker he’s going to be for the franchise, starting this season. Have there been mistakes? Oh yeah. There’s a learning curve, which is where his maturity really shines through. His efforts to make up for mistakes are as high as they come. He’s making the team. I doubt he goes back to juniors, as that would make zero sense given what he’s shown. He showed that the OHL would do nothing to help his development — if anything, it would hurt it. He’s NHL-ready, and I wouldn’t be shocked if he moves up on the depth charts extremely quickly after getting comfortable at the NHL level.
Preseason stats: GP 4 | G 0 | A 2 | PTS 2 | SOG 8 |
Anthony Duclair:
Not only does Duclair look back to full health, but he looks like a player who’s on a mission to prove everyone wrong. With every stride, every pass, every shot, and every forecheck, everything Duclair does is with a purpose. There weren’t many expectations for him coming into camp, given how last season ended and him saying he was still dealing with the groin injury. But he’s set a new expectation for the 2025-26 season with how good he looks out there. He’s flying out there, and wherever he is in the lineup, he’s finding ways to be effective.
Preseason Stats: GP 3 | G 2 | A 2 | SOG 4 |
Emil Heineman:
We have seen exactly why GM Mathieu Darche forced the Montreal Canadiens to include Heineman in the Noah Dobson deal. Yes, he can hit and forecheck, which is what you want to see in a fourth-line player — except he might be more talented than the grinder we thought he was. What stood out immediately was his shot, particularly the heaviness of his release. He scored two goals in preseason, one a one-time release on the power play and the other a cheeky, off-the-rush, five-hole goal. He’s banged bodies, bringing that gritty, but skilled identity that Darche wants this team to play wth. He ends his preseason with all his teammates raving about his play — “he’s a horse.” While he may not be a top-line player, he’s earned the right to play with Bo Horvat on opening night.
Preseason stats: GP 4 | G 2 | A 0 | PTS 2 | SOG 8 | 15 H
Calum Ritchie:
A lower-body injury may have provided the Islanders with an easy excuse to send him to Bridgeport. Ritchie proved throughout the entirety of preseason that he’s going to be a great player for this franchise, whenever he gets his chance. With Schaefer and the other first-round picks, I think people forgot about Ritchie a bit. And all he has done is prove why he was regarded as an “untouchable” prospect by Colorado, before, well….His hockey IQ and speed stood out immediately, as well as his defensive positioning. Because of that defense, he quickly earned Roy’s trust. Not only did he do everything to make the team, but he’s for sure the top call-up option if Roy needs a forward — if he gets sent down. He may not be a No. 2 center just yet, but he’ll be able to fill that role sooner than later, which would allow the Islanders to move Mathew Barzal back to Horvat’s wing.
Preseason stats: GP 4 | G 1 | A 1 | PTS 2 | SOG 9 |
Marshall Warren:
What a preseason it was for the Long Island native. Not known to be a two-way defenseman, Warren did it all. From being physical in his own zone, to strong breakout passes and high IQ decisions to jump up on the rush, he’s quickly gone from an undrafted college free agent trying to make an AHL team to someone who will be relied heavily in Bridgeport and potentially a call-up option. He played free and confident, and that’s what you need to see. Growing up a die-hard Islanders fan on Long Island makes his performance all the more special.
Preseason stats: GP 2 | G 1 | A 0 | PTS 1 | SOG 3 | H 7 |
