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New York Islanders players that could be moved

The New York Islanders are trying to create cap space while also freeing up roster spots. Here are a few players that could be moved.
ByAndrew Piazza|
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Jan 21, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; New York Islanders forward Anthony Duclair (11) is pictured during a game against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images
Jan 21, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; New York Islanders forward Anthony Duclair (11) is pictured during a game against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images | Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images

The New York Islanders don’t have a boatload of cap space, and with the team having obvious upgrades, players will need to be moved to free up spots to upgrade the team.

Anthony Duclair

Duclair’s first two seasons on Long Island haven’t gone as planned. In 2024-25 the winger tallied 11 points in 44 games. He was off to a hot start, but after Duclair sustained his groin injury it was all downhill.

Duclair was called out by head coach Patrick Roy and left the team for the rest of the season. Things were never the same after that. While the speedy winger had a much better 2025-26 season he was never in the lineup consistently.

Duclair garnered 27 points in 62 games, but seems to be the player most likely to be traded. It was reported that the team tried to move on from him during the season last year, but was unable to do so because of his contract.

Duclair’s contract moves from a full no-trade clause to a 16 team no-trade clause. It seems that his time in the blue and orange is likely over.

Adam Pelech

Pelech had his first 82 game season in the blue and orange of his career and was a steady partner for Tony DeAngelo for the majority of the season. Pelech was also arguably the best defenseman on the team other than Matthew Schaefer.

The reason the squad could trade Pelech is the logjam of left-handed defensemen the Islanders have. With Schaefer locked into a spot, Alexander Romanov coming back, and Isaiah George ready to make the full time jump to the NHL Pelech could find himself moved this summer.

The defensive-minded defenseman would garner a large return heading back the Islanders way and help improve other areas of the roster.

Maxim Shabanov

Shabanov had an unimpressive rookie season on Long Island. He barely got ice time after the first quarter of the season. The winger tallied 18 points in 44 games, but showed flashes of a top-six forward throughout the season.

Shabanov did play a few games under DeBoer which could help his case to be a regular in the lineup, but it was reported that Shabanov didn’t love his situation with the Islanders and was open to a change of scenery.

I could see the Islanders trading his rights to another team for draft capital if Deboer doesn’t see a full time role for the Russian winger.

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