The 2025-26 New York Islanders begin the rest of their season with a roster that has three veterans they did not have a couple of months ago. Two of them were once semi-stars but are now in their decline — while carrying cap hits that reflect the former phase than the latter — but Mathieu Darche is betting they will add enough to carry this year’s team forward into securing their playoff position and possibly making a little noise. The impact on following seasons is for another day.
The newest, Brayden Schenn, joins the team for their game in San Jose tonight, where his former Blues teammates beat the Sharks, 3-2 in overtime, despite lobbing only 14 shots on goal.
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Newly extended backup Alex Nedeljkovic was in goal for that one, so the Islanders will presumably face Yaroslav Askarov tonight.
Based on the first draft of lines, the Islanders see Schenn as a center, a second-line center, pushing Calum Ritchie to the wing. That might be a subtle improvement as Ritchie adjusts in his rookie season at age 20, but it’s also asking too much a lot of Schenn, who was frequently moved to wing with the Blues over the past few seasons. With the matchups, and J-G Pageau taking on some assignments, maybe it’s more like they have two third lines.
First Islanders Goal picks go here.
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“You should see the texts we got from former players, players that have been with him,” says Mathieu Darche in the media availability scrum below. This does not surprise me at all; I’m a fan of Schenn’s game at its peak and his approach even today. The challenge and fear is that was yesteryear. Former players are former players for a reason. Schenn probably gets, and delivers, a boost down the stretch here in this new environment, and freed from the burden of captaining a team that was in full identity crisis.
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The impact on following seasons is, again, for another day.
At the beginning of this hotel interview about leaving the Blues, Schenn talks a little bit about excitement for the team and opportunity he’s joining — and later, about he and his brother Luke fielding “probably 45 calls” since 11 p.m. the night before discussing possible trade destinations and logistics with family:
Here’s how they may line up tonight:
And Schenn on the power play, too. He’s a smart player who still has hands, so…well, surely he can’t make the PP any worse?
I’m actually curious to see if the Isles ever use Schenn in 3-on-3 overtime. You wouldn’t think it from his speed at this age, but he can be effective and finish coming down the wing in that role.
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Our reactions (and comment fights) to the trade and the extension of J-G Pageau. [LHH]
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Another bit of trivia and orientation: Schenn will wear the #10 he’s worn at every NHL stop — save for his first callup in Philly — while Simon Holmstrom will take #92, while Lou Lamoriello rolls over in his retirement chair.
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Previewing tonight: The Islanders look to come out of their California slump. [Isles]
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A little more on those morning lines, with Anthony Duclair coming into the lineup in place of Kyle MacLean. [Isles]
It’s a laaaaate start tonight, 10 p.m. EST — and EDT starts tomorrow, you’ll lose an hour! — but I know we’ll all be curious to see how they look and do.
Elsewhere
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Evgeni Malkin suspended five games for trying to chop a guy’s head off. Maybe he’ll learn by the time he retires? [NHL]
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New Duck John Carlson carries mixed emotions after 17 seasons in D.C. [NHL]
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What the hell is the Leafs’ plan now? (You hate to see it…) [Sportsnet]
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Winners and losers: “There’s nary a bad vibe to be found in Buffalo these days, but it still had to be disappointing to think an Olympic-calibre defenceman in Parayko was coming your way, only to find out you were going to be Luke Schenn’s 10th NHL team.“ [Sportsnet]
