EA Sports is showing a lot of faith in the New York Islanders heading into NHL 27, and the biggest reason is the group at the top of the roster.
Ilya Sorokin leads the way at No. 22 overall with a 93 rating, the highest mark among Islanders players and a clear sign that EA still sees him as one of the game’s premier goaltenders. Even with some uneven stretches in recent seasons, Sorokin’s rating puts him in elite company.
Then comes the most striking name on the list: Matthew Schaefer.
Schaefer lands at No. 35 overall with a 91 rating, and that already places him ahead of several more established Islanders. His individual numbers are the kind that jump off the page - 94 acceleration, 93 speed, 94 deking, 92 passing and 93 wrist-shot power. EA is treating him like a star, not a prospect.
Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal sit just behind him, both coming in with 88 overall ratings. Horvat is ranked No. 85, while Barzal is right behind at No.
- Horvat’s profile is built on balance, with 91 speed and 92 wrist-shot power standing out.
Barzal, meanwhile, gets the kind of skill marks fans would expect, including 93 deking and 91 passing.
The Islanders’ defense also gets a strong showing. Ryan Pulock is No. 101 with an 88 rating, and Adam Pelech checks in at No. 128 with an 87. Pulock’s 93 slap-shot rating is his standout trait, while Pelech’s numbers reflect the more dependable, defense-first style that defines his game.
Brayden Schenn rounds out the Islanders on the list at No. 275 with an 84 overall rating.
Altogether, the rankings give the Islanders a pretty flattering picture: elite goaltending, a defenseman EA already views as a future star, and enough proven talent around them to suggest more firepower than their recent results might show. The next step is obvious enough - turning those ratings into something real on the ice.
In Other News...
Islanders Just Sent A Clear Message About Player Development
The Islanders are continuing to reshape the infrastructure around their players, this time by adding more experience on the performance side of the operation. Bryan Marshall is stepping in with a broad mandate to oversee strength and conditioning across the organization, a move that signals the club wants a more connected approach from the top of the system down to the NHL roster.
Andrew Kacsor is also coming aboard in a strength and conditioning role, adding another voice to a group that already includes Joe Erdos. Between Marshalls new oversight role and Kacsors background with other professional hockey organizations, the Islanders are leaning into development in a way that goes beyond the ice, with the emphasis clearly on building a sturdier pipeline for the long haul. [Read more 🡒]
Islanders May Already Have One Costly Matthew Schaefer Reality Ahead
Matthew Schaefers rise has already given the Islanders something they rarely get to enjoy for long: a young cornerstone who looks ready to shape the franchises next phase. After a strong rookie season that ended with a Calder Trophy, the focus has shifted almost immediately from development to the much trickier business of keeping him in place for the long haul. With the clubs cap outlook offering room to maneuver, New York should have the flexibility to put a major offer on the table when the time comes.
The timing is where the real pressure starts to build. Schaefer is not yet at the point where the Islanders can negotiate a new deal, but the window to do so opens before his next major contract milestone, which gives the team an early chance to lock him in. The comparison being floated around the league is Cale Makar in Colorado, though Schaefers next contract would buy out multiple restricted free agent seasons before he ever gets near unrestricted free agency, which is exactly why the cost could get expensive in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]
Islanders Third Jersey Just Became A Bigger Long Island Story
The Islanders next third jersey is already starting to take shape, and it comes with a distinctly Long Island feel. James Doyles Navy Lighthouse design stood out in the teams contest for the 2027-28 sweater, tapping into one of the regions most recognizable symbols and a motif that showed up repeatedly in fan submissions. It is the kind of concept that fits the Islanders local identity, giving the club a chance to lean into something that feels rooted in the community rather than just another alternate uniform.
Before the jersey is introduced next season, the design will be fleshed out with matching pants, gloves and helmet to complete the look. For the Islanders, the appeal goes beyond a new piece of merch or a fresh uniform unveiling, because the lighthouse theme has clearly resonated with fans and gives the team a strong visual link to Long Island. The bigger question now is how the finished set will translate once the full uniform package is revealed. [Read more 🡒]