Refreshing NY Islanders development camp changes are a win for everyone

For years, the New York Islanders' development camp didn’t open until September — yes, after the draft, after the summer workouts, and often just days before training camp. It was frustrating, especially as other teams brought their newest draft picks, college kids, and depth prospects in for July camps full of hands-on training with the staff. But now? The Islanders and new GM Mathieu Darche are doing things differently — and more conventionally, starting on June 30th.

This earlier development camp may not seem like a huge deal, but it is. It’s symbolic and strategic. It means the organization wants to develop players, not just monitor them. It gives new draft picks a chance to meet the staff, skate with peers, and get proper evaluations months before training camp kicks off. And for us fans? It’s an actual window into the future.

Another refreshing sign is the return of the Blue & White Scrimmage Game. Set for July 2nd at Northwell Health Ice Center, the scrimmage will cap off development camp and mark the first true public look at the team’s top prospects, fresh draft picks, and future hopefuls. Season ticket holders received an email with a purchase link over the weekend, while tickets are expected to go on sale to the general public on Monday.

This event isn’t just about filling seats on a summer afternoon. It’s a critical piece of both player development and fan engagement. For the coaching staff, it offers a rare opportunity to evaluate young talent in a competitive, game-like setting. It’s one thing to look good in drills — it’s another to perform with pace and structure in front of a crowd, with stakes and expectations, even in a scrimmage.

The start date of the developmental camp and a scrimmage game are way down the list of things the organization needs to do to be a legitimate Stanley Cup contender, but it's yet another signal that the Islanders now intend to operate like a traditional, modern NHL team. It may have been expected, and easy to do, but it's still a refreshing overdue change for the organization.