The Islanders are heading into a critical offseason, in which they will have an entire new hockey operations staff. Who will head that staff, remains to be seen. But there are a multitude of players on contracts that the Islanders could look to move this summer. We’ll go through some of those names and weather or not they should remain on Long Island.
C Jean-Gabriel Pageau
The Islanders acquired Pageau in the midst of their Stanley Cup window in 2020, sending a haul of draft picks to Ottawa, and Pageau was a crutial parts of those Islanders teams that made back-to-back Eastern Conference finals, becoming a defense first 3rd line centerman capable of shutting down opposing teams top players. Since then, Pageau has had up and down seasons, he had some injury plagued years and also had some inconsistent play. This year, his play definitely improved, he had 14 goals and 28 assists for 42 points, his offensive output increased after the Islanders traded Brock Nelson, he was moved to a top six role. Though the Islanders contemplated trading Pageau at the trade deadline, they had a framework with the Edmonton Oilers that fell through due to salary retention. Pageau has one more season on his deal at $5 Million AAV. And with top prospect Calum Ritchie seemingly ready to step into the NHL next year, Pageau’s time on the Island may be done.
Verdict: Go
F Anders Lee
The Islander captain has been a model of consistency for the Isles over the last few years. He’s had ups and downs since his knee injury, but he has bounced back from a weak season last year. Putting up 29 goals and 25 assists for 54 points. Lee isn’t the fastest skater, but he knows how to find the back of the net, and the advanced analytics suggest that Lee in what was a very good year, should’ve been even better. his xG according to Money Puck, Lee had an expected 34.8 goals this season, and over the last 3 years, has consistently had higher expected numbers compared to his actual production. Lee has one year on his deal at $7 million, and has proved that he can still be an asset in the Islanders top 6. There were questions about his consistency, and I believe he has put those concerns to bed. I don’t think the chances he’s moved is zero, but I would opt for the captain to remain.
Verdict: Stay
D Adam Pelech
If you had asked people around the NHL just a few years ago, they would’ve told you Adam Pelech was one of the premier shutdown defensemen in the NHL. Though that may not be the case anymore, though injuries have definitely contributed to Pelech’s decline in play. Pelech has dealt with concussions, lower body injuries, and other ailments. This year was a big year for Pelech, who proved that he can still be a shutdown defensemen. Though playing with his usual partner. Ryan Pulock, was not the solution. Pelech played the later part of the season with Noah Dobson, in which he showcased very solid play and showed strong analytics at both ends of the ice. Pelech’s injuries will probably typically force him to miss around 15-20 games every year, but he has shown that he should be apart of the long term plan. Pelech is on a longer term deal, but I believe the Islanders would be better off retaining his services.
Verdict: Stay
D Ryan Pulock
Like Pelech, Pulock was the other half of one of the league’s premier shutdown pairs during the Islanders runs to the Eastern Conference Final. In the years since, he has dealt with many various injuries. Missing at least 15 games in 3 of the last 5 seasons. Also during this period, his skating has significantly gotten worse. Though it was never a strong suit in his game, it has severely declined in the last few years. Pulock’s play has been serviceable, but not unplayable. The biggest issue with Pulock is the contract he commands, he has 5 more years at a $6.15 Million cap hit. There is a good chance that the Islanders try to move him this summer, but seeing as he has a full no-trade clause, that may be very difficult.
Verdict: Go
D Scott Mayfield
Mayfield signed a 7-year deal after the 22-23 season to remain an Islander through the 2029-30 season, and though many people have criticized this deal, which is semi-warranted, I actually don’t believe this deal is that bad at all. The Islanders elected to keep Mayfield at the 2023 NHL draft deadline, they later went on to make the Playoffs. Reportedly the Islanders were getting offers of at least a first round pick for a rental Mayfield’s services. But the deal they have him on now, makes him likely a stable on the 3rd pair for the long term. Mayfield isn’t a great skater, but he is absolutely perfect on the third pair, there are definitely some teams currently fighting for the Stanley Cup that he’d play a top 4 role on, let alone their penalty kill. Mayfield’s contract may be a bit too long, but I believe keeping him will depend on what they do with the rest of the right side of the defense. Noah Dobson, and Adam Boqvist are pending RFAs, DeAngelo is a UFA, and Pulock could also be moved.
Verdict: Stay
HC Patrick Roy
Roy was hired in January of 2024, and guided the Islanders to a playoff birth. When he arrived on Long Island, he preached a fast paced, two-way game. What he has gotten in his season and a half on the Island has not been that. The Islanders were plagued with blowing late leads in his first year, and it was attempted to be corrected after the Isles brought in Maxim Tsyplakov and Anthony Duclair last summer. The Islanders showed some improvement early on but ended up faltering due to injuries, and their very poor special teams. The Islanders power play and penalty kill were both bottom 2 in the entire NHL. One thing Roy did show, was that he knows how the modern NHL works. Let me explain, throughout the season, the Islanders made a lot of moves on the backend because of their injuries, trading for Scott Perunovich, claiming Adam Boqvist, and signing Tony DeAngelo. What do all of these defensemen have in common? They are all solid skaters and have the ability to move the puck. Something the Islanders have lacked on the backend for a while. Though Roy’s message has gotten through to the team, they just have not produced. The inconsistency on certain lines and pairs, and the treatment of some players, Pierre Engvall for example, didn’t sit well with me. Roy and his staff are all currently under evaluation by the Islanders front office, as they await a new President of Hockey Operation and/or General Manager, Roy’s fate as head coach will be decided shortly after. And with many teams in the division like the Rangers, Flyers, and the Penguins having changes in head coach, the Islanders may be next.
Verdict: Go
BS Reports 
Leave a comment