New York Islanders News

Sorokin was serviceable in his season-opening performance, saving 24 of 26 shots (.923 SV%), but fell short in a 2-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 31-year-old goalie had an up-and-down 2025-26 season under Head Coach Patrick Roy, posting a 2.68 GAA and .906 SV% in 55 games (29-24-2), and will hope to find more consistency under new bench boss Pete DeBoer. The Islanders enter Saturday's action at home with -105 odds against the New Jersey Devils.

To no one's surprise, Ilya Sorokin was the first goalie off the ice at New York's final preseason practice, suggesting the 31-year-old will be the Islanders' opening-night starter when they take on the Maple Leafs in Toronto on Wednesday. Sorokin is entering his seventh NHL season and sixth as New York's starting netminder after posting a 29-24-2 record last season, along with a 2.68 GAA, .906 SV%, and league-leading seven shutouts.

Islanders' head coach Pete DeBoer said that Barzal is attending all of the meetings, but not on the ice yet. He said Barzal will be on the ice "around the corner," essentially ruling him out for Wednesday's season opener.

To no one's surprise, Ilya Sorokin was the first goalie off the ice at New York's final preseason practice, suggesting the 31-year-old will be the Islanders' opening-night starter when they take on the Maple Leafs in Toronto on Wednesday. Sorokin is entering his seventh NHL season and sixth as New York's starting netminder after posting a 29-24-2 record last season, along with a 2.68 GAA, .906 SV%, and league-leading seven shutouts.

Barzal did not pass his physical at the start of training camp as he works his way back from a left knee injury. Moving him to the Injured Non-Roster list means he does not count against the 23-man roster required by Monday at 5pm, but it also allows him to be activated and play whenever he's back to 100 percent.

The Islanders opened training camp by announcing that Barzal would not skate for two weeks to tend to an undisclosed injury, but they quickly lessened the severity of the issues, announcing that he could still be an option on opening night. The 29-year-old forward scored 72 points (19G / 53A) in 81 games last season. Whether or not he draws into the lineup on opening night, it appears his injury is not a long-term concern for the team.

The Islanders released a statement that said that Barzal will not skate the next two weeks due to aggravation of a prior injury that has caused some inflammation. The added that they expect him "back in the lineup as soon as possible." With the Islanders' season opener exactly two weeks away, expect Barzal to miss some games to open the season.

Jefferies has spent the last two full seasons in Bridgeport (AHL) and will remain in New York's organization after signing a one-year, two-way contract with the Islanders. The 24-year-old was New York's 2020 4th-round pick (121st overall) and picked up nine goals, 29 points and 46 PIMs in 60 games with Bridgeport last season.

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2026-08-14T16:38:43.317Z

Luff scored a goal during a five-game stint with the St. Louis Blues last season, but has predominantly played in the AHL for the past half-decade. The undrafted 29-year-old forward scored 52 points (18G / 34A) last season in 62 AHL games.

After playing 96 games combined with the Tampa Bay Lightning in the previous two seasons, Chaffee was limited to only 11 contests in 2025-26. The 28-year-old will hope for more NHL action in 2026-27 after signing a one-year contract with the New York Islanders.

Kessel has been a reliable depth defenseman for the St. Louis Blues the past three seasons, playing 97 combined games, but will have a change of scenery in 2026-27, signing a one-year contract with the New York Islanders. The 26-year-old defenseman scored three points (2G / 1A) in 25 games with the Blues last season.

Vancek's hopes of becoming a starting goalie are likely behind him after promising stints with the Washington Capitals and New Jersey Devils, but he has settled into a serviceable backup role, which should continue with his new team, the New York Islanders. The 30-year-old Czech goalie posted a 2.93 GAA and .883 SV% last season in 22 games with the Utah Mammoth (5-13-3).

Last offseason, the Toronto Maple Leafs acquired Matias Maccelli with the hopes that he could provide supplementary offence and playmaking after the departure of Mitch Marner. The 25-year-old Finnish forward had a decent season with the Maple Leafs, scoring 39 points (14G / 25A) in 71 games, but the team opted not to give the restricted free agent a qualifying offer, sending him to free agency and ultimately signing a one-year contract with the New York Islanders.