The New York Islanders are officially eliminated from playoff contention. That will remove the organization’s top goal after firing head coach Patrick Roy and hiring Peter DeBoer in a shocking, April decision. Now, DeBoer – who signed a multi-year deal in New York – will shift his attention towards getting a look at who could be future impacts.
That hope could lead to a true full-lineup rotation on Tuesday, offering more chance for depth players with multiple years on their contracts – like Emil Heineman and Kyle MacLean. It could also mean that AHL-eligible center Calum Ritchie will stick with the Islanders despite being eligible for the AHL’s Calder Cup Playoffs, per Rosner.
DeBoer could also be hoping to get a look at some of the Islanders’ top prospects. 2025 first-round pick Victor Eklund has already turned pro and has an impressive nine points in his first seven games with the AHL’s Bridgeport Islanders.
The Islanders could make a few changes to the lineup to fit in their budding prospects. One player who will most definitely sit out is veteran winger Ondrej Palat, who was scratched in a must-win game on Saturday as pointed out by Rosner. Palat has just one point in his last 10 games and five points in 28 games in New York as a whole since joining the team in a January trade. Palat is signed through the 2026-27 season at a $6MM cap hit.
With playoffs out of reach, the Islanders seem to be turning all focus towards the future. The team has pulled off a quick change in direction, largely thanks to the historic breakout of 2025 first-overall pick Matthew Schaefer. With the lead of Schaefer and other emerging prospects, the Islanders may be able to snap back-to-back playoff appearances next year.
Lamoriello fell asleep a long time ago, And, When he woke up, The Islanders were treading water, And, Really old.
Did Lou ever wake up? I figured he was in the hockey version of a coma.
Great point! Lol.
What a mess, firing the guy who took you into the playoffs, and hiring another guy who slipped you out of the playoffs. Darche must not be very proud of himself today.
I think it can be boiled down to this; the Islanders had a great year and surprised alot a people.. are the Rangers, the current last place team in the Metro better than the Isles right now..? Probably so. Hats off to NY as hockey the true hockey state of America
Heh, I trust you have your [SARCASM] tag up and running. Ten pro hockey teams in the state, and other than Buffalo and Binghampton (in the Federal League), they’re running mediocre at best, all of them.
I hope they focused getting younger and find more young skill player cause they can’t keep the same players like trade everyone not name barzel sorkin, Matthews Schaefer and your top young players like Matthew d need to get more younger players
Why would they do that? Trading for schenn was awful but they have elite goaltending, solid defensive depth and an expiring contract in palat to attach with there firsts for someone like thomas or kyrou.
Erm … Palat’s got zero trade value. The guy’s 35, in serious decline (he hasn’t broken 31 points in four seasons), and he has a no-movement clause. He’s barely worth league-minimum, let alone $6 MM. Unless they want to give away a serious draft pick as a bribe, their only out is to buy him out.
Its to match salary obv
That’s the ISLANDERS’ motivation. What’s the motivation of the other guys? If I want to get to the cap floor, I’m going to overpay a player who’s still good, not take on $6 MM from a guy who may no longer be NHL-caliber.
The rest of the assets? Its like negative 3 mil value contract.
Mathieu Darche? More like South Park’s Stan Darsh.