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NY Islanders need a full buy-in to Peter DeBoer’s system to get back to the playoffs

ByJiggs Westfall|
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Apr 12, 2026; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Islanders head coach Peter DeBoer speaks to the media after a game against the Montreal Canadiens at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Alexander Wohl-Imagn Images
Apr 12, 2026; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Islanders head coach Peter DeBoer speaks to the media after a game against the Montreal Canadiens at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Alexander Wohl-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The New York Islanders believe they have enough talent to return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season.

Getting there may depend on how fully they buy into new coach Peter DeBoer’s system.

General manager Mathieu Darche made that clear while discussing expectations for a roster that finished last season with a 4-10-0 stretch after March 19, including a 1-7-0 finish that cost Patrick Roy his job.

“It’s not what you’re capable of doing, it’s what you’re willing to do to win,” Darche said in the Islanders 32 in 32 preview on NHL.com. “We have a lot of players that are capable of all things, but what’s everyone willing to do to be able to win?”

That could mean individual players sacrificing parts of their preferred style in favor of a more structured approach.

The Islanders have seen that formula work before. Under Barry Trotz, players were asked to commit to a disciplined system that emphasized defensive responsibility, positioning and team structure. The approach helped the Islanders reach the conference final in consecutive seasons in 2020 and 2021.

DeBoer, who coached the final four games last season, will now have a full training camp to install his system.

He has a history of making an immediate impact. DeBoer guided the New Jersey Devils and San Jose Sharks to the Stanley Cup Final in his first season with each team and later took the Vegas Golden Knights to the Western Conference Final shortly after being hired.

Center Bo Horvat said the Islanders believe they can contend if everyone commits.

“I think we all believe that we have the group in there to be a playoff team and go far in the playoffs,” Horvat said. “I think Pete’s going to be very good for us structure-wise and kind of laying the foundation.

“The buy-in from everybody’s just got to be there.”

For the Islanders, that may be the difference between another disappointing finish and a return to the postseason.

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