NY Islanders Have Clear Need to Address During Free Agency

What is the top need for the New York Islanders heading into free agency?

Feb 26, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; View of a New York Islanders logo on a jersey worn by a member of the team during the third period at Bell Centre. / David Kirouac-Imagn Images

The New York Islanders are getting set for an important offseason with the start of free agency right around the corner. 

Following the NHL Draft, the Islanders are now getting prepared for the start of free agency. New York is a team that doesn’t have a ton of cap space to use when free agency opens up on July 1st, but they are a team that has some needs. 

Last season, the Islanders just missed the playoffs and struggled a bit down the stretch. This was a team that likely overachieved a bit based on the talent that they had on the roster, but the emergence of Matthew Schaefer as the next star on the team expedited their rebuild quite a bit. 

Now, the goal for the Islanders should be to surround him with as much help as possible. Schaefer is a special talent and one that can achieve some great things for New York. As the offseason continues to heat up, the obvious need for the Islanders should be to improve their top six. 

Islanders Need Help in Scoring Department

New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer / Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

With just three players being able to eclipse the 20-goal mark last year, and one of them being their star rookie, the needs for New York are clear coming into free agency. Unfortunately, with them not having a ton of cap space right now and this not being the strongest class, how they will improve in that area will be a good question. 

Prior to and during the NHL Draft, some of the more notable forwards were traded. Asking prices were certainly high for some of these players, and the Islanders not being super aggressive and overpaying does make sense. 

However, with new head coach Peter DeBoer coming in at the end of last season, it will result in expectations being high for the group. However, how the team is going to be able to make significant upgrades is going to be a challenge. 

Since free agency seems unlikely for them to be able to add any impact player based on the talent level and cap situation of the team, the trade market is the most likely place in order to do so. However, New York must be careful not to get overly aggressive, with the team still not appearing to be a real title contender as of now. Overall, while it is going to be a challenge, the Islanders have to try and find some help for their top six.