It’s been an offseason full of change for the New York Islanders. Mathieu Darche took over as the general manager, and, shortly after, the Islanders won the draft lottery. With the first overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, the Islanders selected Matthew Schaefer. Now, with a long offseason ahead of them, the Islanders are considering the type of team they want to be next season.
The Islanders traded young defenseman Noah Dobson to the Montreal Canadiens before the draft, leading many to believe a rebuild is on its way. The signing of Jonathan Drouin seems to suggest that the team is looking to inject fresh talent into the roster.
Whether the team elects for a retool or a full-blown rebuild remains to be seen. No matter what decision they make, should these two candidates hit their mark, they’ll make Darche’s job all the easier.
Mat Barzal Needs Big Season for Islanders
Two injuries limited Barzal to just 30 games last season. Two seasons ago, he posted his second 80-point season in his career. Should he return to form this season, he’ll be one of the top answers to the offensive question the Islanders have moving forward.
Known more for his playmaking than his goal scoring, Barzal has just 20 goals in his last two seasons. When asked about this on the “Fore Play Podcast“, Barzal referenced how elite goaltenders respond at the NHL level. “In practice, you come down with no defenders, no traffic—shoot on Ilya Sorokin or one of these NHL goalies. People think, ‘Oh, it’s a grade-A chance…’Dude, that shot in practice with no traffic in front goes in maybe two of ten times—maybe.,” Barzal said. “Guys go in practice without scoring on some of these goalies, man. You can’t just walk in and shoot and score.”
Daily Faceoff has Barzal centering Anders Lee and Simon Holmstrom. His playmaking abilities are just what forwards like Lee need in order to meet their goal-scoring potential.
Islanders Must Make Decision on Anders Lee
Captain Anders Lee has just one year left on his deal. He nearly hit the 30-goal mark last season, with 29 goals and 25 assists for 54 points in 82 games. His late-career surge suggests that he can still contribute at a high level late into his career.
But, at 35 years of age, the Islanders need to make a decision on his future.
Last season, they traded Brock Nelson to the Colorado Avalanche for a first round pick, a conditional third round pick, Calum Ritchie and Oliver Kylington. Trading Lee opens a leadership vacuum that, as of right now, can’t be filled by anyone else on the team.
Lee has been the captain of the Islanders since 2018. He’s looked up to both in and out of the locker room and is beloved by the community. Should he and the Islanders choose to part ways, the team will need to secure a succession plan moving forward.
To top it all off, finding a trade partner for a 35-year-old forward could prove challenging. It’s up to the Islanders – and Lee, who has a modified no-trade clause – to determine the future.
2 Islanders Forwards Ready for Big Season