On Tuesday, NHL.com posted Stefen Rosner's New York Islanders team reset piece. Included in that story was his projected lineup for the 2025-26 season:
First overall pick Matthew Schaefer and the @NYIslanders will look to make some noise this upcoming season! 🦞
— NHL (@NHL) July 22, 2025
Read more from @NHLdotcom ➡️ https://t.co/v21e4nTkWapic.twitter.com/tdUA9JLB6G
Islanders head coach Patrick Roy shared with us that Jonathan Drouin, who signed a two-year deal worth $4 million annually, will start alongside Bo Horvat, with Mathew Barzal going back to center.
Outside of that news, the rest of the forward makeup is a bit of a question mark in terms of how players line up.
Simon Holmstrom proved last season that he's ready to be a regular in the top six, but likely isn't someone who can be a top liner. That's not a knock on the 24-year-old, as it's a win for the organization if he can prove to be a consistent producer playing second-line minutes.
If Anthony Duclair is healthy enough, his speed will be a need, but will he earn second-line minutes, or will Anders Lee, coming off a tremendous season, get the opportunity to keep his job as a top-sixer?
The Islanders have a good problem when it comes to their wingers, especially with a few being versaitle enough to play either side.
The defense is more concrete, with everyone back from last season, minus Mike Reilly.
The only thing that would impact the defense woud be No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer making the team, as we project to be the case.
What are your thoughts on those projections?
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PHOTO: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images