2026 off-season

[Pokecheque]

Schenn might get an A. Maybe. Horvat is the obvious choice to me. He's got another 5 years on his contract, while Schenn only has 2. I predict it's Horvat and then it passes to Schaefer. I'll bet you a soda!

Ugh, I think he was a lousy captain. Then again any guy who had to deal with J.T. Miller on his roster maybe deserves a break.

Okay, soda on. I prefer Mountain Dew, maybe one of the goofy flavors that isn't Code Red.

[E.L.]

I think they should have no captain this year, then give it to Schaefer next offseason.

[Chris18]

I think they should have no captain this year, then give it to Schaefer next offseason.

He's going to have enough on his shoulders. No need to put that on him for a while. They've got guys like Horvat, Palmieri, Schenn, Pulock... Guys who have been in the league a long time, have had letters before. No need to put that on a 19 year old kid. Give him a few more years to learn the game, learn the league, etc. It's not like he can't speak up if he wants. He'll eventually wear the C. Just not right away.

[Chris18]

Some notes from DeBoer's press conference:

Barzal will play center. DeBoer sees his game fitting the position. Yeah, other than he can't take a faceoff to save his life.
He expects Isaiah George to really compete for a regular rotation, not just to make the team. Said George was the best player in development camp.
Rocky Thompson will run the powerplay. He got a promotion from AHL HC to NHL AC. A quote from DeBoer on it- “Despite his playing career and stats, he really thinks the game from an offensive point of view and has some brilliant ideas offensively.”

Tons of fan speculation on who the next Captain will be. Apparently lots of Isles fans are sentimental and want Cizikas to get it since he's the longest tenured Islander. People have some wild ideas on what qualifies someone to be a leader.

The Carlson offer sheet has me looking ahead at the Isles with contract situations coming up.
2027 Islander UFAs
F
Palat. Please figure out a way to get his $6M useless ass off the roster, in any way, ASAP. Terrible trade by a rookie GM who thought he could rekindle a player's career. It. Didn't. Work.
Palmieri- Hopefully he is recovered from his knee injury. The injury play was fucking legendary.
Cizikas- He's still useful as a 4th liner. He's got 978 regular season games with the Isles!

D
Kessel. Haven't seen him play yet.
George. I expect him to make the team and be a good player. Hope so. Then they can talk extension.

G
Varlamov. Like the guy, but he's too old/injury riddled.
Vanacek. Maybe he can prove he's a worthy backup.

2027 Islander RFAs
F
Holmstom. Hoping they extend him and Heineman before they hit actual RFA status and get offer sheeted, since this may become a more popular way of getting good, young players.
Maccelli. Haven't really seen him. Hoping he ends up in the same category as Holmstrom and Heineman.
Heineman. See Holmstrom.

D
Nobody, but Schaefer is in 2028. They need to do whatever they have to in order to have him signed before he's an actual RFA. Teams will lineup to offer sheet him.

G
Tikkanen. Big goalie in the AHL. Consistency is the issue, like so many goalies.

[E.L.]

I think they should have no captain this year, then give it to Schaefer next offseason.

He's going to have enough on his shoulders. No need to put that on him for a while. They've got guys like Horvat, Palmieri, Schenn, Pulock... Guys who have been in the league a long time, have had letters before. No need to put that on a 19 year old kid. Give him a few more years to learn the game, learn the league, etc. It's not like he can't speak up if he wants. He'll eventually wear the C. Just not right away.

I don’t know if I ascribe to this when the player is far and away the best one on the team and within a year or two might be the best defenceman in the NHL. And as we’ve seen looks completely comfortable in his skin. Some guys are just born for it and it’s best to let them fly.

[Chris18]

I think they should have no captain this year, then give it to Schaefer next offseason.

He's going to have enough on his shoulders. No need to put that on him for a while. They've got guys like Horvat, Palmieri, Schenn, Pulock... Guys who have been in the league a long time, have had letters before. No need to put that on a 19 year old kid. Give him a few more years to learn the game, learn the league, etc. It's not like he can't speak up if he wants. He'll eventually wear the C. Just not right away.

I don’t know if I ascribe to this when the player is far and away the best one on the team and within a year or two might be the best defenceman in the NHL. And as we’ve seen looks completely comfortable in his skin. Some guys are just born for it and it’s best to let them fly.

We can disagree. You're allowed to be wrong.

[Chris18]

Forgot- Darche also said of Duclair "he's on our team, at the moment". He was supposedly on the trading block last year with zero interest. Maybe Darche waives him and someone takes him. Maybe?

[Chris18]

Here's an odd one. Alex Jeffries has filed for salary arbitration. If you're wondering who tf Alex Jeffries is in relation to the Isles, well, so was I. He has played 131 games for Bridgeport over 3 seasons. 26 goals and 65 points. Not bad, but also not exactly the next callup to the NYI. Not sure what his case is going to sound like, BUT it's interesting in that just by filing he has opened a second buyout window for the Isles, only for players making over $6M. Palat may be bought out yet. Instead of $6M for a 4th liner, they'd be on the Cap hook for $2.7M this year and $1.65M next year. I'd just like Darche to admit this was a mistake and buy him out to open a roster spot. I can't see anyone claiming him if they waive him.

[Chris18]

The new Hamilton Hammers have revealed their jerseys. They're NYI jerseys, with the Hammer logo/name on them. Shocking. I never saw that coming. [/s]
https://shop.hamiltonhammers.com/collections/jerseys

In initially exciting, but as usual it ended boringly, Islander jersey news, the NYI are allowing one lucky fan to design the third jersey for the 27-28 season! Sounds kinda cool, right? It's fucking boring as hell. They give you like 6-10 choices for each step. Jersey/stripe designs (including all previous NYI jersey designs), the various fonts they've used over the years, etc. So with basic permutations, they've probably already designed it themselves but know someone will match what they've designed and they can get credit. Fucking boring. Give people total freedom to create! You can do far better jersey customization on any beer league jersey site.

[E.L.]

The jersey contest, if they actually open it up, could be amazing. But you’re right, the fix is in.

[Chris18]

For shits and giggles, I submitted one. Used the wave jersey, yes, as in the OG fisherman jersey, with a dark blue base, white, orange and yes, even the TEAL highlights (very small amount of teal, but it's there), used the Lighthouse logo on the chest (because fans love it), OG Isles logos on the shoulders, etc. They asked for a name. I said The Knot- because this ties various eras in Isles history together. Could have been way better without the rigidity of their choices, but I actually liked it. Apparently they're at over 25000 submissions already with like two weeks to go. So you know damn well they already have one picked and they're just waiting for someone to match it. Probably set off an alarm in the marketing guy's office when it's chosen the same as what he'd settled on after having his two teenage kids look at it (joke about the fisherman logo unanimously passing a focus group- of the owner's kids).

Remade my submission. I think this is what it was. Close anyway.

[Chris18]

Gustafsson signed his ELC. He was ranked as the Isles' best skater under 25 after Schaefer. Hoping he's on the Isles soon.

[Chris18]

Jersey design submissions are over 65k. Now they're saying they won't even look at any that didn't use the web site they offered. So yep, the fix is in.

[Chris18]

All Star game logo on the NHL site has a lighthouse on it. Leak of the new third jerseys? Or someone just finally giving Isles fans something they wanted?

[Chris18]

Isles schedule is out. 84 game season is great.
Isles start Sept 30th at Toronto. Next game is home opener on the 3rd vs the Devils.

13 sets of back to back, which is down from 16 last year, but only ONE set is both games at home. 12 sets with travel WTF? That's just stupid.
Several 3 pm starts on non-holiday Mondays, "for the new European fans". Uh, sure. One of those is vs Utah, when Lee returns to the Island. Think I feel a cough coming on for that day. Sorry boss.

[Pokecheque]

IMO the Isles are one of those few teams that just shouldn't have a third jersey. They've always had a clean, classic look and any attempt they've made to "update" it has been disastrous.

[Chris18]

IMO the Isles are one of those few teams that just shouldn't have a third jersey. They've always had a clean, classic look and any attempt they've made to "update" it has been disastrous.

But you can sell tons more jerseys by replacing your third every few years, so they'll keep trying.

Latest rumor is they're going to show the top 20 or so fan designed jerseys to the players and let them pick the final five. Then go from there. Which means it will still be some pre-determined choice made by Cheeseman.

[Chris18]

DeBoer on Schaefer - “I think he’s already a respected voice in that dressing room,” DeBoer said. “Having said that, he’s an 18, 19-year-old player, and he’s got an awful lot on his plate individually. Will he be part of our (leadership) group? Absolutely, he will, and I think he’s got future captain written all over him. But I think we have to be very careful not to put too much on his plate too early.”

So don't expect him to get the C any time soon. I'm glad.

[Chris18]

Well, I now hate Mat Barzal. He designed a jersey. It's the fucking fisherman. Fuck that guy! Most boring jersey design possible too. This from the guy who was in GQ a while back. Pffft.

[E.L.]

Well, I now hate Mat Barzal. He designed a jersey. It's the fucking fisherman. Fuck that guy! Most boring jersey design possible too. This from the guy who was in GQ a while back. Pffft.

Hate him too. Better trade him to Montreal for Kirby Dach, that’ll teach him.