The New York Islanders, for the first time in a while, have a roster that has plenty of new faces on it. With some veterans retiring, a few trades, and the free agency signings, the Islanders look like a different group and feel different with Mathieu Darche in his first season as the general manager (GM).
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With the changes come new connections on the ice. The Islanders have a few line combinations, defense pairings, and other duos (or trios) that will define the 2025-26 season. So, let’s dive into a few of them, starting with the most important one.
Mathew Barzal & Bo Horvat
The Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat connection is the most important one for the Islanders and has been since the duo was formed in the middle of the 2022-23 season. The offense goes with them as Barzal is the playmaker and Horvat is the scorer.
Last season, this duo wasn’t potent, and it caused the offense to fall apart. Barzal was hurt, and it changed the complexion of the offense. The 2023-24 season, meanwhile, saw the Islanders make the playoffs thanks mostly to the connection they formed.
This season, the two are expected to split up, at least early on. Horvat will center one line, and Barzal will center another, giving the Islanders more depth. However, it’s more likely they’ll spend a lot of time together, especially on the power play, where Barzal will be the puck handler and look for Horvat in the slot. So, the two leading the offense together will be vital for the Islanders’ success.
Adam Pelech & Ryan Pulock
This defense pairing used to be a staple for the Islanders, their success, and specifically, their defensive unit. When the team made the deep playoff runs, they were the key defensemen, blanking opposing offenses. Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock have declined in recent years with age and injuries, however.
Pelech and Pulock must stay healthy and, more importantly, step up as a second pair. They won’t be the anchors of the unit, but they can step up on the second pair and keep the defense from falling apart. A strong season from the duo will go a long way.
Maxim Tsyplakov & Maxim Shabanov
This is a duo that is capable of taking the offense to the next level (or to the Max). Maxim Tsyplakov showed flashes last season as a middle-six…
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