Pete DeBoer is heading into his first Islanders training camp with a much better read on the roster than he had just a few months ago, and the picture sharpened after the 2026 NHL Draft and the start of free agency.
The new head coach spent the last three months getting familiar with the organization, and after the final on-ice session of Islanders Development Camp, he talked through what the offseason brought, including the departure of Anders Lee, the makeup of his coaching staff and a few young players who stood out to him.
The Islanders did their work up front by adding winger Matias Maccelli on a one-year deal. The 25-year-old brings skill to the forward group, and he was joined by goaltender Vitek Vanecek, forward Mitchell Chaffee and defenseman Matthew Kessel, each of whom signed one-year contracts. On June 26, defenseman Tony DeAngelo also agreed to a two-year extension.
That collection of moves gave DeBoer a clearer sense of what he’ll be working with when camp opens in September.
"I have a great amount of respect sitting in those meetings with [GM and EVP] Mathieu [Darche] and his group and the thought put into every decision we made," DeBoer said. "Sometimes I'm sure, as a fan, looking at the face of it, they're not always easy to understand.
But trust me, behind the face value of what's going on, there's a ton of thought, a ton of projection, and none of those decisions are made easily. I really like what we did."
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Islanders Suddenly Have A Shot At The Blue Line Help They Need
The Islanders are still searching for a blue-line upgrade, and Thomas Harley has the kind of profile that makes sense on paper. He put together a strong season with useful defensive numbers, steady puck-moving ability and the skating range that can help a defense survive against faster opponents, which is exactly the sort of skill set New York has been trying to add around its core.
There is still a catch, of course, because the fit on the ice is easier to see than the fit on the cap sheet. Harleys size, mobility and all-around game would give the Islanders another option for the middle of the defense and potentially reshape how the pairings are built, but any real pursuit would have to clear a financial hurdle that makes the idea more complicated than the player himself. [Read more 🡒]
Islanders May Have One Risky Answer To Their Scoring Problem
The Islanders are still searching for more punch up front, and one name that has started to surface in that conversation is a familiar one for anyone who follows goal scorers around the league. As an unrestricted free agent, Patrik Laine brings the kind of finishing ability that can change the look of an offense in a hurry, which is why some around the NHL see him as a possible fit for a club trying to upgrade its attack and give its power play a jolt.
There is plenty of hesitation built into that idea, though, and it goes well beyond simple fit. Laines recent injury history and uneven production have made him a tricky player to project, and any move would almost certainly have to make sense on the contract side before it ever becomes real. For now, the Islanders are only in the stage of weighing whether the upside is worth the risk, which leaves this as one of those offseason possibilities worth watching rather than something close to done. [Read more 🡒]
Malte Gustafssons First Islanders Week Sent An Encouraging Early Signal
Malte Gustafssons first week in an Islanders sweater offered the kind of early read teams hope to get from a first-round pick. Selected 13th overall in 2026, the young forward jumped into Development Camp soon after the draft and spent the week in on-ice sessions and team-building work, giving the organization a first real look at how he handles the pace, the rink and the daily routine of life in North America.
The early signs were encouraging enough to stand out. Gustafsson adjusted as camp went on, looked more comfortable by the end and drew positive reviews from Pete DeBoer and teammates for the way he carried himself through the week. The Islanders also got a glimpse of how he is fitting in away from the ice, which matters just as much for a prospect trying to make a smooth transition into the next stage of his career. [Read more 🡒]