The New York Islanders are one of the more exciting transitional teams in the 2025-26 NHL season. The offseason was immensely transformative as the organization canned emperor Lou Lamoriello and hired fresh-faced general manager Mathieu Darche to lead the next era.
The moves at the top of the organization beget more roster moves as Darche traded top defenseman Noah Dobson to the Montreal Canadiens, setting up a nearly perfect draft day in which the Islanders used the first overall pick to select Matthew Schaefer, and then used the first-round pick snagged in the Dobson trade to get Victor Eklund at No. 16.
Eklund at 16th was an absolute steal, but the Islanders’ fantasy hockey prospects, even with a sleeper promo code, may have dipped this season. After the Dobson deal, fantasy hockey managers must eye the team’s remaining core for much-needed points. With a few new additions, such as forwards Anthony Duclair and Jonathan Drouin adding some pop to the lineup, the Islanders’ top fantasy assets remain goaltender Ilya Sorokin and centers Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat.
Ilya Sorokin
Sorokin, 30, is the backbone of the Isles’ crease and a must-have in fantasy despite a shaky 2024-25. His .907 save percentage and 3.01 GAA were career lows, but he still racked up 30 wins, tying for 10th league-wide. Over four seasons, he’s banked 112 wins (eighth among goalies) and a .916 save percentage (fifth among those with 100-plus games). With Patrick Roy tightening the defensive screws and a young core featuring Schaefer, Sorokin is poised for a bounce-back. Expect 28-32 wins, a .915 save percentage, and a shot at 5-7 shutouts, making him a second-round gem.
Mathew Barzal
Barzal, 28, is the Isles’ flashy playmaker, even after a knee injury cut his 2024-25 season to 30 games with 20 points (6-14-20). Back at center, his speed and vision pop; he hit 23 goals and 240 shots in 2023-24. Averaging more than 20 minutes per game, Barzal notched 50-plus points in six of eight seasons, twice eclipsing 80.
25 goals, 55 assists, 230 shots, plus power-play juice with Duclair. He’s a mid-round steal with top-50 upside, though injury risk lingers. His 54 hits and faceoff wins add multi-category spice.
Bo Horvat
Horvat, 30, is the Islanders’ rock-steady top-line center, leading the team with 57 points (28 goals, 29 assists) and 243 shots in 2024-25. Since arriving in 2023, he’s averaged 32.5 goals and ranks sixth in faceoff wins (767 last season). With 100 hits, he’s a multi-category beast. Expect 30 goals, 30 assists, and 240 shots, with power-play boosts alongside Barzal and Anders Lee. Despite the Isles’ 22nd-ranked offense last year, Horvat’s consistency makes him a fourth-round lock with 70-point potential.
While Anders Lee (30 goals projected) and Kyle Palmieri offer late-round value, Sorokin, Barzal, and Horvat are the Islanders’ fantasy cornerstones. Their production might wobble in this retooling phase, but their proven output demands draft attention.
