Ondrej Palat has become one of the New York Islanders’ most surprising early-season storylines, and his teammates have a name for it: “Mr. Cabernet.”
The nickname, courtesy of Mathew Barzal, fits the way the 35-year-old forward has looked lately. Simon Holmstrom put it plainly after handing Palat the Islanders’ player-of-the-game paddle following Tuesday’s 3-2 win over Anaheim: “He just ages like a fine wine.”
Palat backed up the compliment with another goal in the victory, keeping alive a rebound that looked unlikely after a rough first stretch on Long Island last season. After being acquired from New Jersey in January, the two-time Stanley Cup champion posted just five points in 29 games with the Islanders. With his family still in New Jersey and the adjustment to a new organization proving difficult, the fit never seemed to come together.
Instead of letting that define him, Palat spent the offseason trying to reset the narrative.
"Last year wasn't good enough," Palat told NewYorkIslanders.com. "My mindset was like, 'I'm gonna show everybody I can play in this league.'"
Pete DeBoer pushed him to earn his ice time, and Palat answered with a strong training camp. The production line still looks modest on the surface - two goals and an assist through 10 games - but the numbers underneath tell a louder story.
In the Islanders’ Oct. 17 game against Toronto, the team outattempted the Maple Leafs 18-1 at five-on-five with Palat on the ice. His 65.5% expected-goals share also sat among the NHL’s best, a sign he’s helping tilt the ice at both ends.
"He's come back with something to prove," DeBoer said. "I just love his mindset."
For an Islanders team looking for contributions up and down the lineup, Palat’s resurgence has been a welcome development. And if “Mr. Cabernet” keeps playing like this, the label is going to age just fine.
In Other News...
Islanders Fans Just Got A New Belmont Game Day Perk
Belmont Parks reopening has given Islanders fans a fresh game-day option on the south shore, with the racetrack now folding back into the local sports scene after redevelopment. On days when the Islanders and the races overlap, ticket holders can use a promotion tied to the teams game-day email to claim complimentary general admission and make a stop at the track part of the same outing.
The perk adds a little extra value for fans heading out to Long Island, especially those who like turning a game into a longer day around Elmont. There is one catch, though, and it matters for anyone planning the full trip: parking is not included, so fans who want to take advantage of the offer will still need to handle that separately. [Read more 🡒]
Islanders Still Have Unfinished Business With Rantanen After Roy's Exit
Mikko Rantanens hit from behind on Alexander Romanov last season still hangs over the Islanders, even as the organization has moved into a new era. The play ended Romanovs season and drew a forceful response from then-coach Patrick Roy, who made it clear how the Islanders felt about it at the time.
Now Roy is gone from the bench, and Romanov is again unavailable after suffering a torn ACL earlier this month. When the Islanders see the Stars next, the matchup comes with some unfinished emotional business, but also a chance for New York to show it can keep its edge and its composure without two people who were central to the original flashpoint. [Read more 🡒]
Islanders Face A Brutal Road Test With One Lineup Question Looming
The Islanders hit the ice at Northwell Health Ice Center on Monday with a Western Conference road trip waiting on the other side, and the timing could hardly be more demanding. A three-game swing begins in Dallas, with head coach Pete DeBoer already adjusting around a banged-up lineup and leaning on Brayden Schenn back at center after Cal Ritchies injury shifted the middle of the roster.
Schenn has settled in well between Emil Heineman and Victor Eklund, giving the Islanders at least one line that looks stable as they head out on the road. But the bigger concern is depth, and with the club still sorting through the short-term picture up front, there is at least one lineup question hanging over a trip that figures to test them right away. [Read more 🡒]