EAST MEADOW, NY — Ondrej Palat became an easy target for New York Islanders fans questioning general manager Mathieu Darche’s moves last season.
Yes, the Islanders sent Maxim Tsyplakov and his $2.25 million cap hit to the New Jersey Devils, so adding Palat’s $6 million cap hit meant taking on an additional $3.75 million last season, but they also received a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick.
But after struggling with his new team and ultimately being healthy-scratched by Pete DeBoer in their must-win game against the Montreal Canadiens, plenty of questions remained about the 35-year-old’s role entering the 2026-27 season.
He earned a job this fall. He started on the fourth line, worked his tail off, and now finds himself on the third line alongside Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Anthony Duclair, who also got a bump up from the fourth line.
I asked DeBoer about what he’s seen from Palat this season: