The New York Islanders enter the 2026–27 season with a largely unchanged roster after a quiet offseason. They hired a new head coach with only four games left last season, added a middle-six forward, and said goodbye to their longtime captain. The Islanders maybe hopeful for a playoff spot, but it’s unlikely to happen.
Key Additions
Peter DeBoer (Head Coach) – Hired on April 5 with four games remaining in the 2025–26 season to replace Patrick Roy. The 58-year-old brings a wealth of experience, including three Stanley Cup Final appearances, and is expected to implement a more defensive-minded system.
Matias Maccelli (LW) – Signed a one-year deal on July 1st. The 25-year-old scored 14 goals and 39 points in 71 games last season with Toronto, bringing speed, skill, and middle-six scoring punch.
Mitchell Chaffee (RW) – Signed a one-year deal on July 1st. The 26-year-old brings physicality, grit, and bottom-six depth.
Vitek Vanecek (G) – Signed a one-year deal on July 1st. The 30-year-old provides goaltending depth behind Ilya Sorokin and Semyon Varlamov, expected to serve as the third option.
Matthew Kessel (D) – Signed a one-year deal on July 1st. The 26-year-old right-shot defenseman brings depth and two-way play, expected to compete for a call-up role.
Ryan Healey (D) – Signed a one-year deal. The 25-year-old left-shot defenseman brings depth and physicality, expected to compete for a call-up role.
2026-27 New Jersey Devils Season Preview
Key Subtractions
Anders Lee (LW) – Signed a three-year, $5.4 million AAV deal with Utah on July 1st. The 36-year-old captain had 19 goals and 23 assists in 82 games last season, a significant loss of leadership, physicality, and middle-six scoring.
David Rittich (G) – Signed a one-year deal with New Jersey on July 3rd. The 33-year-old had a 2.76 GAA and .894 save percentage in 30 games last season, a notable loss of veteran goaltending depth.
Carson Soucy (D) – Departed in free agency. The 32-year-old left-shot defenseman had four points in 30 games last season, removing veteran presence and physicality from the third pairing.
Maxim Shabanov (RW) – Signed with Minnesota in free agency. The 25-year-old right-wing had NHL depth but was deemed expendable.
Adam Boqvist (D) – Departed in free agency. The 26-year-old right-shot defenseman had NHL potential but was deemed expendable.
Marc Gatcomb (C) – Departed in free agency. The 26-year-old center had depth value but was moved for future assets.
Marcus Hogberg (G) – Departed in free agency. The 30-year-old goaltender had AHL depth but was deemed expendable.
Cole McWard (D) – Departed in free agency. The 23-year-old defenseman had NHL potential but was deemed expendable.
Travis Mitchell (D) – Departed in free agency. The 25-year-old defenseman had depth value but was moved for future assets.
Impact on 2026–27
DeBoer brings a new defensive mindset, while Maccelli adds scoring and depth up front. The departure of Lee removes veteran presence and leadership. Will their additions be enough to push New York up the standings? It will be a tough go for them to make the playoffs next season.
Some Thoughts on Conner Hellebuyck’s Trade Request Going Public
Salary Cap Situation
Projected cap hit – $101,065,416
Roster – 23/23
Projected cap space – $2,934,584
Deadline cap space – $13,554,983
New York Islanders Depth Chart
New York Islanders Depth Chart from PuckPedia.com – Aug. 26th
Connor Hellebuyck Goes Public With His Trade Request
Top New York Islanders prospects
| Jon Lane NHL.com Aug. 18th, 2026 |
Steven Ellis Daily Faceoff July 30th, 2026 |
McKeen’s Hockey May 3rd, 2026 |
Scott Wheeler The Athletic Mar. 29th, 2026 |
|
| 1 | Victor Eklund (F) | Victor Eklund (RW) | Victor Eklund (RW) | Calum Ritchie (C) |
| 2 | Malte Gustafsson (D) | Malte Gustafsson (LHD) | Kashawn Aitcheson (LHD) | Kashawn Aitcheson (LHD) |
| 3 | Kashawn Aitcheson (D) | Kashawn Aitcheson (LHD) | Cole Eiserman (LW) | Victor Eklund (LW) |
| 4 | Dmitri Gamzin (G) | Dmitri Gamzin (G) | Danny Nelson (C) | Cole Eiserman (LW) |
| 5 | Cole Eiserman (F) | Cole Eiserman (LW) | Daniil Prokhorov (RW) | Dmitri Gamzin (G) |
| 6 | Danny Nelson (C) | Dmitri Gamzin (G) | Daniil Prokhorov (LW/RW) | |
| 7 | Daniil Prokhorov (RW) | Tomas Poletin (LW) | Danny Nelson (C) | |
| 8 | Isaiah George (LHD) | Isaiah George (LHD) | Quinn Finley (LW) | |
| 9 | Quinn Finley (LW) | Xavier Veilleux (LHD) | Isaiah George (LHD) | |
| 10 | Jacob Kvasnicka (RW) | Marshall Warren (LHD) | Xavier Veilleux (LHD) |
Read more on the top New York Islanders prospects heading into the 2026-27 season.
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