3 most disappointing New York Islanders players so far in 2025-26

The New York Islanders have been disappointing to start the season with just 11 points in their first 11 contests, putting them last in the Metropolitan Division. You can argue that the entire team has underperformed, and could make an entire list of how each player is responsible for the slow start.

But for all of the shortcomings so far, which three Islanders players have disappointed the most and why? There is one goaltender, one forward, and one blueliner, who have jumped out as October fades into November.

Why did they make this list, and what can be done for them to enjoy a more productive second month of the season?

Ilya Sorokin

While Ilya Sorokin found his groove on Friday, most of October was a month to forget for the Islanders' top netminder. Heading into Friday's game, Sorokin notched a meager 0.868 save percentage, a 3.75 GAA, and a 0.143 quality starts percentage.

Through his first seven starts, Sorokin also faced 197 shots on goal, or a manageable 28.1 per game, so it's not like it was anything he couldn't handle in the past. While he hasn't been playing for a good Islanders team, you need to hold goaltenders with Sorokin's ability to a higher standard.

Hopefully, what he showed on Friday night will carry over into November, and Sorokin will provide more stability in the crease.

Anthony Duclair

If there's one player the Islanders need to find a way to move, it's Anthony Duclair. Hardly anyone wearing a blue and orange sweater was more disappointing than Duclair in 2024-25, and the trend has continued into the early stages of 2025-26.

Those struggles continued in Friday night's win over the Washington Capitals, when Duclair still couldn't find a way to grace the stat sheet. Heading into Friday's matchup, he logged just three points and two goals in 10 games.

Alexander Romanov

Alexander Romanov deserves a bit of a break since he missed time with an upper-body injury. Still, five games, a minus-2 rating, and zero points to go with 18:30 of average total ice time aren't encouraging for a player hoping to be part of the Islanders' long-term core.

He also hasn't looked great at even strength, posting an average 50.5 Corsi For despite over 65 percent of his starts in the offensive zone. Romanov hasn't pitched in well offensively, with an on-ice shooting percentage of 6.5, and defensively, he hasn't been much better, with an 87.8 on-ice save percentage.

That said, he has been physical when healthy, recording 17 hits, good for over three per game, and 14 blocks. If Romanov can at least keep making his presence known in outmuscling opponents, he might at least bring a solid niche to the table.