Calum Ritchie already gave the Islanders enough last season to justify the excitement. Now one NHL insider is betting on a much bigger leap.
Frank Seravalli included Ritchie in his 32 bold predictions for the 2026-27 NHL season, and his pick for the 21-year-old is the kind of projection New York fans would gladly circle in ink: a breakout year that more than doubles what he just produced as a rookie.
"Very quietly, Ritchie collected 30 points in 65 games last season," Seravalli wrote. "He'll more than double that using his elite Hockey IQ and work rate in his sophomore season, and provide a dynamism desperately required for the all-star weekend hosts."
That would put Ritchie well past the 60-point mark, a major jump for a player entering his second full NHL season and a meaningful boost for an Islanders team that needs more offense from its younger forwards.
Ritchie arrived as one of the key pieces in the Brock Nelson trade, and he showed enough in his first season to make the deal look even more intriguing. He brings size and skill, and he spent the summer focused on sharpening just about everything in his game - from strength and skating to his shot, passing and ability to win battles.
The next step is the hard one: turning promise into production.
Ritchie does not have to become a 60-point player for his second season to count as a success. But if Seravalli’s prediction lands anywhere near the target, the Islanders may have found another young forward who can grow into a real part of their long-term core.
In Other News...
Islanders Fans Are Getting New Game Day Perks At UBS Arena
The Islanders are giving UBS Arena and the surrounding Belmont Park campus a noticeable refresh for the 2026-27 season, layering in a new round of fan experiences and amenities around game nights. The club says the additions will touch several corners of the game-day visit, from new food and beverage options to exclusive spaces for American Express Card members, along with expanded group and premium offerings and a rotating mix of local restaurants and concession items throughout the building.
There is also a bigger play here beyond the arena walls, with the team folding more of Belmont Park into the game-day experience for ticket holders. The intent is to make a night at an Islanders game feel less like a single stop and more like a full campus visit, with one of the more interesting new perks tied to the racetrack side of the property and still set to become part of the routine for fans next season. [Read more 🡒]
Islanders Already Face An Early Concern After Opening Night Loss
The Islanders opened the season with a 2-1 loss to the Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena, and the box score already hinted at a familiar sort of frustration. New York came up empty on four power-play chances, killed three of four penalties and still found a way to stay in the game thanks in part to Ilya Sorokin, who made 24 saves and kept the margin tight long enough for the Islanders to have a shot late.
Emil Heinemans shorthanded goal gave New York one of the nights brighter moments, but the bigger concern from opening night was less about one missed opportunity than about the broader way the game was played around Sorokin. Peter DeBoer flagged the need for better support in front of his goalie, and after one game the Islanders are already staring at a problem that can snowball quickly if it lingers. [Read more 🡒]
Islanders Loss Exposed One Problem They Need To Clean Up Fast
The Islanders opened the 2026-27 season with a loss in Toronto, and the result came with a clear reminder that early-season details can decide games fast. New York generated chances, but the Maple Leafs got the steadier night in goal and enough timely offense to leave the Islanders looking for answers after one game.
Special teams already stood out as a concern, especially with Toronto handling every penalty chance it faced. For a team trying to settle in and build some momentum, cleaning up those situations has to be a priority before a small issue starts to feel like a familiar one. [Read more 🡒]