3 massive gaps the New York Islanders need to fill right now

The New York Islanders may not be surefire contenders yet, but they're a fun team to watch with a growing number of good young players raring to take them up a notch. They would be even better off in 2025-26 if they acquired a few more players to play integral roles in their lineup, who would either help them win now or in the near future.

By filling these holes now, the Islanders' youngest players, especially Matthew Schaefer, would be able to focus more on their game instead of watching their backs every time they skated onto the ice. The Isles would also gain much-needed depth in two key areas that would erase a few questions of how much of a drop-off there would be if a player missed extended time with an injury.

What holes do the Islanders need to fill, and what types of players should Mathieu Darche be seeking? Here are the top three:

A glue player who can take the locker room to another level

The Islanders can use one more team-first player to bump them up another notch. Someone in the mold of Casey Cizikas and Scott Mayfield would make for a great addition to the locker room, especially as the season progreses and the wear and tear sets in for the likes of Matthew Schaefer and Calum Ritchie, among others.

Adding one more glue player would become even more urgent should the Islanders exceed expectations and look like true contenders as the playoff race starts to take form. The sense of urgency builds, and the need for more players capable of leading a retooling team by example increases.

A proven player with a track record of holding the locker room together and building rapport with everyone regardless of what kind of issues threaten team chemistry is who Mathieu Darche needs to look for. If he can find one within the next month or two, the Isles will be much better off heading into the 2026 calendar year.

A backup goaltender capable of catching significant ice time

While the Islanders haven't given Ilya Sorokin much help, he hasn't been the same goaltender in recent seasons that he was between 2020-21 and 2022-23. Not that Sorokin has already maxed out his potential and is on the decline, but his above-average play at best from 2023-24 and onward signals that he would fare better with between 40 and 45 starts a year instead of 55-plus.

Sorokin can still be a number one netminder with fewer appearances, but doing so with David Rittich or Semyon Varlamov as backups isn't a long-term fix. Looking to acquire a good, young goaltender either on waivers or through a trade would be Mathieu Darche's best bet.

Someone like Devon Levi, currently in the Buffalo Sabres' system, would be great, but there's always a chance Colten Ellis, who is also with the Sabres, could be available. If either of them, or if someone similar is up for grabs, the Islanders shouldn't hesitate. Even if a young netminder doesn't play on Long Island this season, it's all about finding the potential long-term fix.

A reliable depth forward who can provide supplemental scoring

Through 13 games, the Islanders have been excellent at finding the net with 43 goals. That number puts them twelfth in the league, and it's yet another way that this team has distanced itself from former general manager Lou Lamoriello.

Still, the Isles could use one more established talent who can catapult this team into the top 10 in scoring and force opponents if they can find one more reliable scorer to fit into the middle six.

An Anthony Duclair-type player would be perfect here, especially if they can act as insurance. Duclair, who has three goals for the Islanders through 13 games, is reliable when healthy, but he has been injury-prone during his time on Long Island. One more Duclair-like player is all the Isles need to get one more respectable bump in scoring.

A solid scorer, a glue player, and a young goaltender will help set the Islanders up for success as 2025-26 rolls on. Even if they aren't serious contenders for the playoffs, insurance in depth scoring, someone capable of holding a retooling team together, plus another potential long-term solution in the net will further shift the vibe on Long Island, giving fans faith that the team's best days this decade aren't far off.