Islanders fans have plenty to be excited about in 2026-27

The New York Islanders will be entering a pivotal season in 2026-27. That may sound like a cliché. But it’s actually true.

The Isles are staring at two potential paths, with a third also looming as the least desirable outcome.

Let’s dispense with the negativity first. Should the Islanders completely flounder this season, calls may begin to ring out for a full-on rebuild. Such a situation could lead the organization down a path in which it might begin selling off its most valuable pieces (i.e., Bo Horvat) and give younger players more prominent roles.

Now, I’d like to dismiss this scenario offhand. The Islanders are far too good to totally flop this upcoming season. The core is just too talented for the club to land in a bottom-five finish.

That’s why Islanders fans have plenty of reasons to be bullish in 2026-27. The core featuring veterans like Horvat, Brayden Schenn, Mathew Barzal, Kyle Palmieri, and Alexander Romanov should lead the club the entire way.

Rising stars like Calum Ritchie and Matthew Schaefer are emerging as the centerpieces of the next Islanders’ core. If everything goes according to plan, the Islanders could seamlessly transition from one core to the next.

That’s the best-possible outcome for the Islanders. Of course, the perfect situation would be a Stanley Cup victory. But short of that, making a strong postseason showing, plus laying the foundation for the next core, will be the signal of a positive season.

Ilya Sorokin is the best reason for Islanders fans to be hopeful

Not every organization has a franchise goalie it can lean on. Last season, Ilya Sorokin nearly willed the Islanders into a playoff spot. In the end, Sorokin, along with the rest of the crew, just ran out of gas.

That’s what Peter DeBoer will be looking to avoid this upcoming season. The Islanders can’t afford to rely on Sorokin stealing his way into a playoff spot. The Islanders will have to be consistent in their defensive play.

And if the Isles can even marginally improve from last season’s defensive showing, Sorokin will be what propels the team into the postseason.

If and when the Islanders manage to get into the postseason, a hot goalie like Sorokin can steal a win here and there. In the playoffs, having a goalie capable of stealing a game or two can make the difference between an early summer and a long run.

DeBoer will be crucial in avoiding third path

There’s a third path the Islanders could follow in 2026-27. That’s the path of the so-called mushy middle.

The term has become synonymous with teams that are too good to tank, but not good enough to become consistent playoff contenders.

If the Isles fail to make the postseason again, and if they especially miss by a thin margin, the mushy middle argument will begin to surface.

That’s precisely what Peter DeBoer will be looking to avoid. Even if the Islanders get bounced in the first round this season, the goal will be to morph the team into a legit playoff contender. It’s not about just getting into the postseason.

It’s about making sufficient headway to convince even the most stringent hockey odds that the Isles have the legs to do major postseason damage. Yes, the odds may not be in the Isles’ favor right now.

However, there’s something crucial to keep in mind: Preseason odds, rankings, and projections are a reflection of where the Islanders are today. That situation could drastically change in two months.

When Thanksgiving rolls around, the outlook on the Isles could be completely different. We could be talking about a first-place team that’s looking to establish itself as one of this season’s premier playoff contenders.

Things can change in a hurry. So, even if the Isles don’t get off to a scorching start, one hot streak can change the season’s entire complexion.

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