5 Bold Predictions for the NY Islanders’ 2025-26 Season

5. J-G Pageau — But Not Anders Lee — Is Traded at the Deadline

The boldest prediction of all: Jean-Gabriel Pageau will be traded at the deadline, but Anders Lee will not — and the Islanders will look to bring their captain back after the season.

With Mathieu Darche now running the front office, decisions will be guided by long-term value and roster evolution, not sentiment. Pageau’s two-way reliability and playoff experience make him a natural target for contenders seeking depth and faceoff skill. Trading him could net a first or second-round pick or promising young asset, giving the Islanders flexibility heading into the offseason.

Meanwhile, Anders Lee’s story isn’t over. His leadership and presence still mean too much to this group, and the organization’s intent will be to reunite after the season on a cap-friendly deal that keeps him part of the culture Roy is building.

What makes this move possible is the rise of Cal Ritchie, whose emergence down the middle gives the Islanders the confidence to move Pageau without losing defensive structure or experience. Ritchie’s maturity, compete level, and play-driving ability have impressed coaches, and by spring he could be a fixture in the middle six.

This isn’t subtraction — it’s evolution. A midseason trade and a post-season reunion would underline exactly what Darche and Roy have preached from day one: build forward, honor the fabric, and keep the playoff window open.