September has arrived, and that means the offseason is starting to give way to the real questions again. The North American media tour and the shortened training camps are still a few weeks out, but the wait is almost over. For the Islanders, the same two big issues sit at the center of everything: can they get back into the playoffs, and will this season - along with the summer’s decisions and non-decisions - actually move along the Darche rebuild?
One of the more interesting Islanders notes from the summer is Mat Barzal’s. He spent it traveling, doing charity work, and attending a Beauvillier wedding.
There’s also word on Malte Gustafsson, who will remain in Sweden instead of coming over for prospect or training camps. The reasoning is simple enough: he’s staying put to concentrate on his upcoming season with HV71. That fits the Victor Eklund Plan rather than the Nino Plan.
On the broader league front, Sportsnet’s latest look at teams most likely to make the playoffs after missing last season places the Islanders at No. 10.
The piece points to the club’s $6.18 million in cap space entering free agency, the lack of any major signings, and the departures of Carson Soucy and former captain Anders Lee. The Soucy reference stands out a little in a field full of more obvious talking points.
Around the league, the Devils made a move by sending a first- and second-round pick next summer to Nashville for Luke Evangelista.
Sportsnet also put together a helpful look at what has changed for the coming season. One of the sharper reminders in there is the continued decline in average save percentage, now down to .896 after peaking at .915 in 2015-16. Goalie debates, as always, should be adjusted accordingly.
Elsewhere, Frank Saravalli’s comments on a radio show were used in a Sportsnet update on Connor Hellebuyck, Quinn Hughes and Dylan Larkin.
TSN reported that Don Waddell is “confident” the Blue Jackets will re-sign Adam Fantilli before training camp.
There’s also the odd little subplot from the presumed awarding of an expansion franchise in Florida, where Houston is apparently busy arguing that it’s better than Austin. If there were ever a case for a behind-the-scenes “Road to the Draft” look at the process, this might be it.
And in Dallas, Tyler Seguin is back on the ice after an ACL injury limited him to 27 games last season.
In Other News...
Islanders Season May Hinge On A Few Comebacks Actually Delivering
The Islanders head into 2026-27 with little in the way of splashy outside help, so much of their outlook is tied to familiar faces getting back to form. Team executive Mathieu Darche has already pointed to the importance of injured regulars returning, and the organization is banking on a healthier roster to provide the lift that a quiet offseason did not.
Kyle Palmieri, Alex Romanov and Semyon Varlamov loom especially large in that equation, with the club optimistic about where each stands entering camp. There is also a different kind of void hanging over the team after Anders Lees departure, leaving the Islanders without a captain and adding another layer of uncertainty to a season built around comebacks rather than reinforcements. [Read more 🡒]
Islanders Face An Early Peter DeBoer Decision Fans Will Watch Closely
Training camp is drawing near for the Islanders, and one of the first off-ice calls of Peter DeBoers tenure is becoming hard to ignore. With the team moving into a new season and a new structure under a coach who arrived last year, the leadership picture has shifted quickly, especially with the vacancy created by the departure of Anders Lee.
DeBoer still has not made a decision on the next captain, and the choice will carry real weight for a group trying to establish its identity early. Bo Horvat, Matthew Schaefer and Casey Cizikas are all in the conversation for roles in the leadership group, and however the staff sorts it out, this is the kind of move fans will read as a sign of where the room is headed. [Read more 🡒]
Islanders Suddenly Have A Pierre Engvall Roster Decision To Make
Pierre Engvall is back in the picture for the Islanders at just the right time, with general manager Mathieu Darche confirming the winger is healthy and will be at training camp after missing the entire previous season because of hip and ankle surgeries. For a team entering camp with a new coach in Pete DeBoer and a tighter race for jobs than usual, that alone adds another layer to the roster conversation.
Engvalls return gives the Islanders another experienced body to sort through as rookies and free-agent additions push for winger spots, and the competition should be especially pointed in the bottom six. Victor Eklund and Cole Eiserman are among the younger players trying to break through, so Engvalls place on the depth chart will be one of the more interesting decisions hanging over camp. [Read more 🡒]