The New York Islanders didn’t wait around to make noise ahead of the NHL trade deadline-and their first move suggests they might just be getting started.
On Monday, the Isles swung a deal with their crosstown rivals, sending a third-round pick to the New York Rangers in exchange for veteran defenseman Carson Soucy. It’s a move that immediately strengthens their blue line, giving them a steady, physical presence on the back end.
But if you’re looking at this trade as a one-and-done, don’t bet on it. The Islanders are in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race, and this feels more like the opening act than the final curtain.
Soucy adds depth and grit to a defensive corps that needed a little more bite. He’s not going to light up the scoreboard, but that’s not what the Islanders are asking from him.
They want stability, they want reliability, and they want someone who can log tough minutes in high-leverage situations-especially come playoff time. Soucy checks those boxes.
But here’s the thing: if the Islanders are serious about making a push-not just sneaking into the postseason, but actually doing something once they get there-this can’t be their only move. There are still holes in the lineup, particularly up front. Adding a forward, especially one who can drive play and chip in offensively, should be high on the priority list.
There’s a sense that first-year GM Mathieu Darche is working with a bit of runway. He’s new to the job, yes, but that doesn’t mean he’s sitting back and playing it safe.
The Islanders used the first overall pick to land Matthew Schaefer, and while no one’s expecting a rookie to carry the team, Schaefer’s emergence has added a jolt of energy and upside to the roster. If Darche sees a realistic shot at winning a playoff round-and with Ilya Sorokin playing at an elite level, that’s not out of the question-he may be inclined to keep pushing chips into the middle of the table.
And don’t underestimate the influence of head coach Patrick Roy. He’s not the kind of guy who’s content with mediocrity.
Roy’s track record shows he’s not afraid to speak up when he thinks the team needs more, and if he sees a path to postseason success, you can bet he’s making his voice heard in the front office. His competitive fire is well-documented, and that kind of urgency can trickle down through the entire organization.
There’s also the business side to consider. Even a single playoff round can bring in valuable revenue and experience for a team still shaping its identity. For a young core led by Schaefer and anchored by Sorokin in net, getting a taste of playoff hockey could be a critical step in their development.
The Islanders have already made their first move. Now, the question is whether they’ll keep building. If they do, and if they hit on the right additions, this could be a team that not only reaches the postseason-but makes some noise once they get there.