New York Islanders
· 2026-06-30
The New York Islanders did not qualify Marc Gatcomb or Max Shabanov, setting them up for unrestricted free agency on July 1.
The Islanders qualified three Bridgeport players: Alex Jefferies, Joey Larson, and Henrik Tikkanen.
As of June 30, the New York Islanders stand 12th in the Eastern Conference with a 43-34 record, on a L3 streak.
Bobby Brink, 24, was not qualified by the Minnesota Wild and could be a skilled, playmaking winger for the Islanders.
Brink recorded 26 points in 55 games with the Philadelphia Flyers, including 13 goals and 13 assists.
Paul Cotter, 26, could make sense as a new depth center for the Islanders, given Casey Cizikas's age and Kyle MacLean's impact on the wing.
Cotter posted nine goals and 15 points in 79 games with the New Jersey Devils, a career low in points.
The Islanders may also consider Phillip Kurashev, 26, who was not qualified by the San Jose Sharks for the second straight year.
Kurashev had decent offensive output, with seven goals and 20 points in 43 games.
Matias Maccelli, 25, had a bumpy season with the Toronto Maple Leafs but could be worth a flier due to his solid production and strong defensive metrics.
Maccelli posted 14 goals and 39 points in 71 games, mostly receiving third-line minutes and limited special teams opportunities.
The Islanders will look to bolster their roster with these potential depth signings, aiming to improve their standing in the Eastern Conference.
And with the qualifying offer deadline passed, the team can now focus on exploring free agency options to strengthen their lineup.
But the Islanders must be cautious in their signings, considering the team's current roster and the potential impact of new players on the team's chemistry.
So the Islanders will likely take a careful approach to their offseason signings, weighing the pros and cons of each potential addition.
The team's coaching staff, led by Head Coach Peter DeBoer, will play a crucial role in evaluating and integrating new players into the lineup.
DeBoer's experience with players like Cotter, who made his NHL debut under DeBoer's guidance, could be an asset in the team's pursuit of depth signings.