NY Islanders Understandably Seen as Potential Landing Spot for Free Agent Forward

Should the New York Islanders look to add a player who can help them on offense?

Mar 21, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; View of a New York Islanders logo on a jersey worn by a member of the team during warm-up before the game against the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

As the New York Islanders prepare for the upcoming season, the team will be hoping to build upon what was a surprisingly good campaign last year. However, there are still some concerns about the roster as of now. 

This summer, the Islanders were in an interesting situation. Due to some questionable trades at the deadline, the team didn’t have a ton of cap space to use in order to make upgrades. 

The free agency class wasn’t the strongest to begin with, but they could have also been active on the trade market. New York has a ton of really good prospects that they could have used to make a splash. However, with the talented Matthew Schaefer being just 18 years old, the team has been hesitant to move these other young players and is looking to create a really deep young group. 

However, while the team is trying to create sustained success, they also are going to want to win. With options to improve being limited at this stage of the offseason, there is one player who could help them in an area of need. 

Joe Yerdon of Bleacher Report recently wrote about some potential suitors for free agent Patrik Laine. The Islanders, with a need for some offensive help, were among the eight teams listed. 

Laine Could Help Area of Need 

Oct 14, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward Patrik Laine (92) prepares for a face off against the Seattle Kraken during the first period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

While the Islanders were able to total 91 points last year, it wasn’t because of their offensive production. New York was a team built on playing good defense and having one of the best goalies in the league in Ilya Sorokin. 

Now, as they hope to take a step forward in the first full year of having Peter DeBoer on the bench, improving their offense and especially their power play is going to be a need. 

While staying healthy is a concern for Laine, when he is on the ice, he is capable of putting the puck in the back of the net. In the last three years, while he was able to play only 75 games, he did score 26 goals, with 16 of them coming on the power play. 

That level of power play production would be a massive boost for the team, and Laine would certainly fill a need. However, with a lot of forwards and a bit of a logjam at the position currently, where he would fit in is a bit hard to figure out. However, there is no denying what a healthy Laine could bring to the offense.