The New York Islanders Could Find Value in Buffalo's Depth with Michael Kesselring and Conor Timmins

As the hockey world watches the final four of the NHL battle it out for the chance to win the Stanley Cup, the off-season is approaching quickly. NHL buyouts, draft, and free agency loom for the New York Islanders, as they prepare for a crucial summer under general manager Mathieu Darche's second offseason.

Darche and the organization began their tenure drafting first overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, selecting Matthew Schaefer. In the 2026 NHL Draft, the Islanders will select 13th overall, but do not hold a second or third round draft pick.

The group of free agents this summer is not flashy, not deep. The NHL announced an increase in the salary cap for next season, giving the Islanders more flexibility to work with free agents and in the trade market. Unlike last year, Darche will not have many important restricted free agents to retain before attacking the unrestricted class. The trade route may be the best option for the Islanders and other organizations to make a big splash.

Newly hired head coach, Peter DeBour, plays a more structured defensive system and will demand a strong, deep group on the blue line. Tony DeAngelo, Adam Boqvist, and recently acquired Carson Soucy are unrestricted free agents this summer, and it is not expected that all three will return to DeBour's roster next season.

Whether DeAngelo signs or not, Darche will be looking to strengthen the right side of the defense this summer. The recent success and popularity of the Buffalo Sabres around the NHL may present two strong options for the Islanders.

Buffalo has a plethora of talent at the NHL level and will need to save money to retain players like Alex Tuch and re-sign emerging forward Zach Benson, who is a restricted free agent. Two right-handed defenders who could benefit the Islanders are Michael Kesselring and Conor Timmins.

Michael Kesselring

Kesselring was acquired by the Buffalo Sabres last summer with Josh Doan from the Utah Mammoth for JJ Peterka. Kesselring was the main return from Utah but ended up only playing in 34 games because of injuries. Doan ended up producing significantly more than his roommate in Utah and Buffalo.

The 26-year-old had a breakout season in Utah in 2024-25 when he played all 82 games and registered 7 goals and 29 points. He has been a plus player for his career with a plus-14 in 190 games. The most impressive part of that is playing for a dreadful Arizona Coyotes team for 74 of those games, including a plus-11 in 2023-24.

The South Carolina native appeared to be coming into his own after a solid season in Utah and winning the gold at the World Championships for the USA. An injury-riddled season with a new organization should not eliminate all of the progress for Kesselring at a young age.

Kesselring is a player who can contribute in all zones and has the skating ability to keep up with the opposition's top line while transitioning to the offensive rush. This could be the perfect storm for the Islanders to have an opportunity to bring a top talent player to Belmont.

Conor Timmins

Timmins is another former Arizona Coyotes player who has been around the league at just age 27. After being drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in the second round of the 2017 NHL Draft, the Ontario native has played for five NHL organizations.

This past season was his first in Buffalo, and his contract has one year remaining with a salary cap hit of $2,2 million. Timmins is far less of an offensive threat than Kesselring, but bring size and physicality, which the Islanders could desperately use.

The 6'3 defender would be an easier target for Darche as the salary and performance do not jump off the charts. The hope would be that this is a player entering his prime with a large amount of experience in several organizations. Having played almost 200 NHL games, Timmins would provide depth and steadiness to an uncertain position for New York.

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