5 Islanders dream free agent signings to contend for The Stanley Cup in 2026

The New York Islanders are entering a pivotal offseason as the Mathieu Darche era officially gets underway on Long Island.

With Kyle Palmieri and Adam Boqvist already re-signed to new deals, the Islanders head into the offseason with nearly $21 million in cap space and a handful of restricted free agents (most notably, Noah Dobson and Alexander Romanov) looking for new contracts as well.

Still, the Islanders need to add scoring, and they need to upgrade their blue line. As for how they strategize in free agency this offseason, it may depend largely on whom they select with the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. But before the draft and free agency occur, here are five upcoming free agents who could help the Islanders get closer to contending in 2025-26.

5 Islanders dream free agent signings to contend for The Stanley Cup in 2026

Mitch Marner (RW)

Because, well, obviously. Players of Mitch Marner's caliber don't hit free agency often, and there will be no shortage of teams courting him this summer. Even though it will cost them upwards of $100 million – and that's a conservative estimate – the Islanders should still be among those making an aggressive push to sign Marner. Together with Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal, Marner could be the missing piece that helps the Islanders reach their offensive ceiling.

Nikolaj Ehlers (LW)

The Islanders have previously been linked to Nikolaj Ehlers in trade rumors (as recently as last offseason, in fact), and he is now a free agent. Frequent injuries have raised some concerns about his durability, but Ehlers is still a dynamic playmaker and an automatic 20-plus goal scorer and a solid top-six addition for a team like the Islanders looking to add offense without the Marner-level price tag.

Brock Boeser (RW)

Brock Boeser is a natural goal scorer with a dangerous shot that makes him a threat both on the power play and at 5-on-5. He had a 40-goal breakout season in 2023-24, and playing alongside a gifted passer and playmaker like Barzal could potentially help him put up those kinds of numbers again. Boeser also used to be teammates with Horvat in Vancouver, and reuniting players with preexisting chemistry never hurt.

Ivan Provorov (D)

If the Islanders decide to spend on defensive upgrades, Ivan Provorov is a free agent they should pursue aggressively. He is a left-shot defenseman but is comfortable playing either side, and he is reliable in all situations. Provorov won't be cheap, though, so the Islanders will need to decide how they want to prioritize the blue line when it comes to weaponizing cap space in free agency.

Ryan Lindgren (D)

Yes, that Ryan Lindgren – the guy who missed the start of last season because he needed jaw surgery after fighting Scott Mayfield in a preseason game. Keep your enemies closer, right? In all seriousness, Lindgren could make a strong addition to the Islanders' blue line with his physicality, puck-moving ability and contributions on the penalty kill. He'll probably come at a reasonable price, too.