Islanders lack of Olympians could be just what they need

The New York Islanders surprisingly have just one representative at the 2026 Olympics. If Bo Horvat is fully healthy to go, he would be the Isles’ lone member in Milano-Cortina.

That’s a truly surprising situation, considering the Islanders could have other reps. For instance, Matthew Schaefer could be a true dynamo for Team Canada. Simon Holmstrom would be a boon for Team Sweden, with Mathew Barzal and David Rittich adding extra punch for Canada and Czechia, respectively.

But then again, the Islanders having virtually no reps for the Olympics is a blessing in disguise. One of the things I’ve been cautioning about is that teams with abundant representatives, like the Tampa Bay Lightning and Colorado Avalanche, could find their top stars putting on additional miles during a season that’s pretty intense as it is.

In the Islanders’ case, the club could be the most rested team heading into the post-Olympic break. The three-week hiatus would give sore guys a chance to heal. Meanwhile, Ilya Sorokin could certainly use a breather.

Three weeks is a long time in NHL terms. It’s basically a training camp. The club would have time to work on areas of improvement, while getting a much-needed mental break. The compacted schedule this season has taken its toll on everyone in the league. So, why not take that opportunity to catch up on some sleep and let ailing limbs recover?

That’s a sentiment that The Athletic’s Sean McIndoe echoed in a recent piece. He stated:

“...you could think ahead to the post-break scramble, where the Islanders will be one of the best-rested teams in the playoff race. Come to think of it, maybe you’d rather do both.”

While some contenders will be looking to get creative in finding extra rest for their stars, the Islanders will be there, waiting for the gate to open.

It wouldn’t be a stretch to see the Islanders fly out of the gate post-Olympics. The fact that some nagging injuries will have a chance to heal, could make it easier for the Isles to sail into the postseason. That could be bad news for whoever the Islanders face in the first round.

Who knows, the Isles may even catch up to the Carolina Hurricanes and overtake them for the division lead.

It’s worth pointing out that the post-Olympic schedule will be a sprint to the finish. Teams will have about six weeks to lock up their playoff positions and gear up for the playoffs. That’s why a well-rested Islanders team could become a nightmare to play against come next spring.