The New York Islanders are not expected to dip into the free-agent tryout market as training camp gets closer, according to Stefen Rosner of The Elmonters.
That lines up with the way their offseason has unfolded. Rosner had previously reported that the Islanders checked in with Patrik Laine’s camp, but only on the idea of a PTO. Nothing came of it, and with New York already carrying enough depth on the roster, there’s no obvious reason for them to chase a player who would only be available on a tryout basis.
So while other clubs may still be hunting for camp invites, the Islanders appear ready to stand pat. Their summer was quiet, even by the standards of a team that pushed for a postseason spot last season. Heading into the 2026-27 season, their only additions are forward Matias Maccelli and goalie Vítek Vaněček.
There are still a couple of notable developments on the health front, though, and both could matter once camp opens. Rosner reported in a separate note that defenseman Alexander Romanov is arriving 12 pounds lighter than he was last year. Romanov was hoping to make it back for the postseason, but a shoulder injury that required surgery limited him to 15 games last season.
Semyon Varlamov is also working his way back. Rosner said the goalie is off medication as he enters camp, a positive step in his recovery after two knee replacements. Varlamov hasn’t played since late November of the 2024-25 season.
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Islanders May Already Have Their Biggest Blue-Line Boost In House
Alexander Romanovs return is shaping up to be one of the Islanders most meaningful internal upgrades heading into the new season. General manager Mathieu Darche offered a positive update on the defenseman, who missed most of last year with a shoulder injury, and the early signs are encouraging. Romanov has been back in the mix for a few weeks, looks lighter, and appears to be moving well on the ice, which matters for a blue line that could use exactly that kind of boost.
For a team trying to tighten up defensively and get back to a more dependable identity, having Romanov available again changes the picture in a hurry. His health had already been a major talking point before the injury interrupted things, and now the Islanders are hoping the version they get this season can help steady the back end from the start. The only real question left is whether the progress shown this summer carries over once the games begin for real. [Read more 🡒]
Kyle Palmieri Enters Islanders Camp With One Huge Question
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What makes this camp especially interesting is that Palmieris role could shift depending on how the new staff wants to use him. He has been part of the Islanders offense for years, but the combination of health, age and contract uncertainty gives this fall a different edge. If he looks like the same player again, he could strengthen both his own market and the clubs options. If not, the Islanders may have a tougher decision ahead than they would like. [Read more 🡒]
Islanders Just Added A Rising Executive Fans Should Be Watching
The Islanders have added another layer to their front office with the hiring of Evan Gold as assistant general manager, a move that fits the broader push under Mathieu Darche to modernize the clubs hockey operations. Darche has emphasized Golds unusual mix of experience in law, business and hockey, and that blend made him a natural fit for a role that goes beyond the usual day-to-day admin work.
Gold also brings a rsum that suggests he is more than a behind-the-scenes support piece, since he is already running the Hamilton Hammers in the AHL and has built a reputation as someone on the rise in executive circles. For the Islanders, the appeal is obvious: this is a hire aimed at strengthening the organization now, while also investing in a hockey mind who could become a much bigger name down the road. [Read more 🡒]