As the leaves begin to turn and the air gets that familiar crispness, it can only mean one thing: hockey is almost back. For fans of the New York Islanders, this upcoming 2025-26 season is fraught with both palpable excitement and lingering questions. After a summer of front-office moves and prospect development, the Islanders are poised to make a statement, but their success hinges on a few key factors. Let’s break down the two biggest questions facing the team as they head into training camp.
Can a Rookie Defenseman Spark a Defensive Resurgence?
All eyes will be on Matthew Schaefer, the Islanders’ highly-touted 2025 first-round draft pick. The 18-year-old phenom has made it crystal clear that his goal is to be in the opening night lineup against the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 9th. While logic might suggest another year of development in the OHL would be beneficial for the 6-foot-2 defenseman, the Islanders’ brass seems to have other plans.
General Manager Mathieu Darche has expressed every intention of giving Schaefer a long look in the preseason, and for good reason. The Islanders’ defense was decimated by injuries last season, and the prospect of a top-four pairing of Schaefer, Adam Pelech, Ryan Pulock, and Alexander Romanov is tantalizing. A young, dynamic defenseman like Schaefer could be the shot in the arm this blue line desperately needs.
Will New Coaches Fix the Special Teams Debacle?
It’s no secret that the Islanders’ special teams were abysmal last season. Ranking 31st on both the power play and penalty kill is a recipe for disaster in the NHL. In a decisive move, the Islanders brought in assistant coaches Ray Bennett and Bob Boughner to right the ship. Boughner’s track record with the San Jose Sharks, where he coached their penalty kill to a second-ranked 84.0% from 2019-22, speaks for itself.
On the power play, the addition of Jonathan Drouin, who tallied 12 power-play points in just 43 games with the high-octane Colorado Avalanche last season, should provide a much-needed boost. The Islanders have lacked a true power-play quarterback, and Drouin’s playmaking ability could be the key to unlocking their offensive potential with the man advantage.
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