Islanders 2026-27 season preview, prediction: Things could get messy

The route to a successful retool for the Islanders feels much more clear than it did a year ago. The problem is that if there’s going to be a rough patch along the way, this season might be it. 

That doesn’t mean the Islanders are tanking — far from it. But in setting themselves up to have a combination of cap space and NHL-ready prospects next summer, the Islanders made few improvements to a roster that missed the playoffs last season, and that overperformed in getting as close to the cut line as it did. 

As long as Ilya Sorokin and Matthew Schaefer are part of the picture, you can squint and see a path to competitiveness. A full season of Pete DeBoer behind the bench is another reason to believe. Training camp and the preseason, though, didn’t paint an inspiring picture. 

Offense 

It’s been a long time since the Islanders went into a season with a roster that had a lot of offensive firepower, and it’s going to be at least another year longer.