With the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympics fast approaching, the New York Islanders find themselves in a unique position - one that might quietly work in their favor. As it stands, Bo Horvat is expected to be the lone Islander heading to the international stage, meaning the rest of the roster will have a rare opportunity to rest, reset, and, more importantly, refocus.
But while the players get a breather, the Islanders’ front office plans to stay busy. According to insider David Pagnotta, the Olympic break won’t just be about recovery - it’ll be a window for the team to take care of some long-term business. Specifically, management is expected to use the downtime to explore contract extensions for two of the team’s veteran leaders: Jean-Gabriel Pageau and captain Anders Lee.
Both players have been foundational pieces in the Islanders’ locker room, and while their names did surface on early-season trade boards, it’s clear that the organization still sees value in what they bring - not just on the ice, but in terms of leadership and experience. With the team in the thick of the playoff hunt, moving either forward at this stage would be a head-scratcher unless a truly game-changing offer came across GM Mathieu Darche’s desk.
Instead, the focus appears to be on stability. The Islanders aren’t looking to make flashy, short-term additions ahead of the postseason push. This is about the bigger picture - building around a core that has already proven it can compete and anchoring that core with veterans who know what it takes to win.
Pageau and Lee may not be putting up eye-popping numbers this season, but their value goes beyond the stat sheet. Pageau is a Swiss Army knife - a reliable two-way center who kills penalties, wins faceoffs, and plays with a motor that doesn’t quit.
Lee, meanwhile, remains a physical presence in front of the net and a respected voice in the room. These are the kinds of players you want in the trenches when the games start to matter most.
As for the potential structure of their new deals, nothing is set in stone. But given their age and the team’s cap considerations, shorter-term extensions - perhaps in the three-to-four-year range - would make sense. That would give the Isles some roster flexibility down the line while still rewarding two players who’ve been central to the team’s identity.
The Olympic break officially begins on February 4, and while the games in Italy will grab the headlines, don’t overlook what’s happening behind the scenes in Long Island. The Islanders are using this pause not just to catch their breath, but to quietly set the stage for what comes next - both this season and beyond.