Scouts Flock to Islanders-Rangers Clash Ahead of Olympic Break, Eyes on Trade Possibilities
ELMONT, NY - Wednesday night’s Islanders-Rangers showdown at UBS Arena wasn’t just another chapter in the storied New York rivalry - it was also a magnet for NHL scouts looking to get one last in-person evaluation in before the Olympic break hits. Seventeen scouts were in attendance, including one from the New Jersey Devils, as the Islanders skated to a 5-2 win over their crosstown foes.
While many of those scouts were hoping to get another look at Rangers star Artemi Panarin, they left disappointed - Panarin was held out for roster management reasons and isn’t expected to suit up again for the Blueshirts before the league pauses for international play. That said, Panarin’s resume speaks for itself. At this point, there’s not much mystery left in his game - he’s a known commodity, and a dangerous one at that.
On the Islanders’ side, the intrigue is building. Despite sitting in a tie for second place in the Metropolitan Division, they’re not expected to be sellers as the trade deadline approaches. That’s notable, especially considering they’ve got two pending unrestricted free agents in Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Anders Lee - both of whom could be valuable additions for playoff-bound teams looking for depth, leadership, or a scoring boost.
But don’t expect the Islanders to just sit on their hands, either. They’ve already made a couple of moves that signal a clear intention to compete.
On Monday, they swung a deal with the Rangers to bring in defenseman Carson Soucy. A day later, they added veteran winger Ondrej Palat from the Devils.
Those moves suggest a front office that’s looking to upgrade - not offload.
That said, if the Islanders want to keep adding, they’ll likely have to give something up from their current roster. Teams aren’t just going to hand over key pieces without getting NHL-ready talent in return, especially this close to the Olympic freeze.
Speaking of which, the Olympic roster freeze kicks in at 3 PM ET on February 4 and runs through 11:59 PM ET on February 22. That window effectively pauses most NHL transactions, as players head to represent their countries. Once the freeze lifts, teams will have just under two weeks to make their final moves before the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline at 3 PM ET on March 6.
So, while the Islanders may not be shopping Pageau or Lee, the phones will keep ringing - and the scouts will keep watching. With the standings tight and the postseason picture still forming, every move counts. And for a team like the Islanders, who’ve already dipped into the trade market twice this week, the next few weeks could be just as active.