Kelly: Nine centers. Three goalies. One roster spot left to fight for. If you think the Islanders are just coasting on Mathew Barzal’s star power, you haven’t looked at the depth chart since training camp started.
Gary: It’s a logjam of talent and uncertainty. We’ve got Bo Horvat trying to hold down the fort, Jean-Gabriel Pageau bringing that defensive reliability, and then a swarm of young guns like Liam Foudy and Calum Ritchie breathing down their necks. It’s messy. It’s competitive. And it’s exactly what we need before the season starts.
Kelly: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network! I’m Kelly, alongside Gary. Today is September 8th, 2026, and this is your daily New York Islanders breakdown. We’re diving straight into the biggest roster battles facing the Isles right now.
Gary: That’s right. We’ve talked about David Shuman joining the ownership group, we’ve geeked out over the Navy Lighthouse jersey design, and we’ve projected Barzal for over ninety points. But today? Today is about who actually gets to play. We’re breaking down the center ice battle, the wing rotation, and the goalie situation.
Kelly: Here is what we are covering in this episode. First, we will settle the debate: Is the second-line center spot really up for grabs, or does Pageau have it sewn up? Second, we look at the wide-open competition on the wings, featuring Victor Eklund and Emil Heineman. And third, we predict the final roster cuts, including who might be headed to Bridgeport. Stick with us.
Kelly: Let’s start with the heart of the issue: Centers. Nine of them. Mathew Barzal is obviously our number one. Bo Horvat is our two-way anchor. And then you have Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Liam Foudy, Calum Ritchie, Kyle MacLean, Casey Cizikas, Brayden Schenn, and Kyle Palmieri. That is a lot of bodies for four spots.
Gary: It is an embarrassment of riches, but it’s also a logistical nightmare. You have to look at how these lines mesh. Barzal needs playmakers. Horvat needs support. And Pageau? Pageau is the ultimate grinder. The question isn't just who is good enough; it's who fits the system.
Kelly: So, let’s talk about that third and fourth line. Everyone assumes Pageau locks down the third line because of his faceoff percentage and defensive zone coverage. But Gary, you mentioned last week that Liam Foudy is playing with confidence. Do you see Foudy taking that spot?
Gary: I do. Foudy has improved his game significantly. He’s faster, he’s smarter in the neutral zone, and he’s not afraid to take hits. But here’s the nuance: Pageau provides a stability that Foudy doesn’t quite have yet. If the Isles want to secure a playoff spot, they might keep Pageau for his defensive reliability. But if they want to win the division? Foudy offers more offensive upside.
Kelly: That’s the tension. Upward mobility versus floor protection. What about Calum Ritchie? He’s been getting buzz as a top-six candidate. Does he have a chance to crack the lineup early?
Gary: Ritchie is intriguing. He’s big, he’s skilled, but he’s raw. In the NHL, especially in the Metropolitan Division, raw can get you eaten alive. I think Ritchie starts on the fourth line or maybe even in Bridgeport to get consistent minutes. He needs to prove he can handle the pace before we talk about him riding shotgun with Barzal.
Kelly: Fair point. And then there’s the veterans. Casey Cizikas and Brayden Schenn. They aren’t flashy, but they know how to win hockey games. Do they make the team?
Gary: Cizikas is a lock. He’s the energy guy. He forechecks, he wins dirty areas, and he never takes a shift off. Schenn? He’s a bit of a wildcard. He’s a proven winner, but can he still produce? If he brings that veteran leadership to the fourth line, yes. But if he’s looking for top-six minutes, he might find himself on the bus.
Kelly: And Kyle Palmieri? The man who built this franchise. Where does he fit in this crowded room?
Gary: Palmieri is transitioning. He’s not the same player he was five years ago. He’s likely moving to a checking role or maybe even left wing to utilize his hands. He’ll make the team, no doubt. His presence in the locker room is invaluable. But don’t expect him to carry the offensive load.
Kelly: So, to summarize Segment One: Barzal is the king, Horvat is the prince, Pageau is the shield, Foudy is the challenger, and Ritchie is the rookie waiting in the wings. Cizikas and Palmieri are safe, but Schenn is on thin ice. Got it.
Kelly: Before we move on to the next battle, I want to take a quick moment to talk about the show itself. This podcast is free, with no ads and no paywall — listener support is what protects that. If you love hearing deep dives like this every day, please chip in via the link in the episode description. Your help keeps the hockey flowing.
Kelly: Alright, let’s shift gears. We’ve talked centers. Now let’s talk wings. Left Wing: Anthony Duclair, Victor Eklund, Emil Heineman, Alex Jefferies, Matias Maccelli, Ondrej Palat. Right Wing: Mitchell Chaffee, Quinn Finley, Simon Holmstrom, Matt Luff. That is a lot of names fighting for space.
Gary: This is where it gets interesting. On the left side, you have a mix of experience and youth. Duclair and Palat are veterans. They know how to play. But Eklund and Heineman? They’re the future. The coaching staff is going to have to decide if they want to ride with the proven commodity or develop the high-ceiling prospects.
Kelly: I feel like Duclair is the safest bet for a top-six spot. He’s got the speed, he’s got the shot. But Gary, you’ve been talking about Eklund all summer. Why is he trending so high?
Gary: Eklund is a generational talent in terms of skill. He’s small, but he’s incredibly agile. He can create chances out of nothing. If he can add strength, he could be a staple. But right now? He’s risky. Injuries have been an issue for him in the past. I think he starts in the AHL to build confidence, unless something goes wrong elsewhere.
Kelly: What about Heineman? He’s been getting some hype too. Does he have a better shot than Eklund?
Gary: Heineman is different. He’s bigger, he’s more physical. He plays a more complete game. If the Isles want size on the wing, Heineman is the guy. But again, he’s unproven at this level. I think both Eklund and Heineman are competing for the same spot. It’s a battle of style: Skill vs. Size.
Kelly: On the right side, it’s even more open. Mitchell Chaffee, Quinn Finley, Simon Holmstrom, Matt Luff. Who stands out to you?
Gary: Chaffee is the most NHL-ready. He’s gritty, he forechecks, he kills penalties. He’s probably the favorite to make the team out of that group. Finley is talented, but he’s inconsistent. Holmstrom and Luff are depth guys. They’ll likely start in Bridgeport unless they impress in camp.
Kelly: So, my prediction for the opening night wings: Duclair, Palat, Chaffee, and maybe one of the rookies like Eklund or Heineman on the fourth line. Does that sound right?
Gary: Sounds solid. Maybe Palmieri moves over to fill one of those spots, which pushes Chaffee or Duclair around. But yeah, that core seems set. The rest is fighting for the last spot.
Kelly: And what about the defensemen? Ethan Bear, Adam Boqvist, Tony DeAngelo, Isaiah George, Matthew Kessel, Scott Mayfield, Adam Pelech, Ryan Pulock, Alexander Romanov, Matthew Schaefer, Carson Soucy. Eleven defensemen. That’s a lot of bodies.
Gary: The top four is pretty clear: Mayfield, Pulock, Pelech, and... maybe Romanov? Or DeAngelo? It’s complicated. Boqvist is talented but fragile. Bear is solid. Soucy is a veteran presence. George and Kessel are young guys trying to break through.
Kelly: DeAngelo vs. Romanov for that fourth spot. That’s a tough call. DeAngelo has offense, but Romanov has speed and youth. Which one do you prefer?
Gary: Romanov. He’s faster, he’s younger, and he’s improving. DeAngelo is great when he’s on, but he’s also prone to mistakes. In a tight playoff race, I’d rather have the safer, faster option. So Romanov makes the team, DeAngelo is the odd man out.
Kelly: Interesting take. I could see DeAngelo staying for his power-play expertise, but I respect the Romanov pick. Let’s move to the final segment: Goalies and Roster Cuts.
Kelly: Three goalies: Ilya Sorokin, Vitek Vanecek, Semyon Varlamov. Sorokin is the starter. No debate there. But who backs him up? And who gets sent down?
Gary: Vanecek is the frontrunner for the backup role. He’s experienced, he’s reliable. Varlamov is the old guard. He’s proven he can win, but he’s coming off injury concerns. If Varlamov can stay healthy, he’s a viable backup. But if he struggles, Vanecek takes over.
Kelly: So, Vanecek is likely the number two. What about the players we talked about earlier? Who is most in danger of being cut?
Gary: Brayden Schenn, Tony DeAngelo, and maybe Alex Jefferies. Schenn hasn’t shown enough offense. DeAngelo is too risky. Jefferies is talented but needs more development. Those are the three I’d watch closely.
Kelly: And who is trending up? Who is making the case for a permanent spot?
Gary: Liam Foudy, Matthew Romanov, and Mitchell Chaffee. These three are playing with confidence. They’re contributing in practice. They’re showing they belong at this level. If they keep this up, they’re locks for the opening night roster.
Kelly: Final predictions time. Who makes the team? Barzal, Horvat, Pageau, Foudy, Cizikas, Palmieri, Duclair, Palat, Chaffee, Mayfield, Pulock, Pelech, Romanov, Sorokin, Vanecek. That’s fifteen players. Who’s missing?
Gary: I’d add Heineman over Jefferies. And I’d keep Boqvist if he’s healthy. So my final fifteen: Barzal, Horvat, Pageau, Foudy, Cizikas, Palmieri, Duclair, Palat, Chaffee, Heineman, Mayfield, Pulock, Pelech, Romanov, Sorokin, Vanecek. Wait, that’s sixteen. Drop Schenn. Keep Boqvist for depth.
Kelly: Okay, so Boqvist makes the cut as the seventh defenseman. Interesting. I think we agree on most of this. The Isles have a strong core. They just need to navigate the depth chart carefully.
Kelly: That’s it for today’s episode. We broke down the center ice logjam, the wing competition, and the goalie shuffle. Thanks for listening to the Beatline Podcast Network. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts. Share this episode with a fellow Islander fan!
Gary: See you tomorrow. Let’s go Isles!
Kelly: Isles Isles Isles!