The start of the NHL regular season is less than a month away for the Islanders and training camp opens next week. This follows a relatively quiet offseason for Lou Lamoriello’s crew, with potential top-line wing Anthony Duclair and Russian forward Maxim Tsyplakov the main imports and longtime fourth-liners Cal Clutterbuck and Matt Martin — most likely — leading the list of departures.
A Quiet Offseason for the Islanders
This is couched in the fact that The Islanders are pressed hard against the $88 million salary-cap ceiling and had little financial wiggle room over the offseason. But essentially leaving the core intact after two straight first-round playoff ousters and no playoff series wins since 2021 is underwhelming. They probably still need a defenseman and more scoring on the wing. Basically, Lamoriello is betting that Patrick Roy’s presence as coach for a full season will be enough improvement. True, the Rangers and Hurricanes, the two teams that finished ahead of the Islanders in the Metropolitan Division, had offseasons that weakened their rosters. But the Islanders start this season as far away from being the best in the Eastern Conference as they finished last season.
The Clutterbuck-Martin Era Ends
Or at least it certainly appears that way. Neither Clutterbuck nor Martin have signed elsewhere in the NHL, so it’s technically possible either of them could rejoin the Islanders, perhaps on a professional tryout offer for camp. But the intention seems to be to move on without the gritty fourth-liners, who, for so long, helped set the team’s identity with their play and dressing-room presence. Casey Cizikas is still around to carry on the legacy of his longtime linemates and Kyle MacLean took over as the fourth-line center midway through last season. But things will certainly feel a little different, at least to start the season, without Clutterbuck’s edginess and Martin’s willingness to protect his teammates.
The Weight of Expectations on Sorokin's Shoulders
The 28-year-old franchise goalie — dubbed a “Ferrari” by Roy — is starting his eight-year, $66 million extension but ended last season backing up Semyon Varlamov, who started four of the five playoff games. Sorokin was pulled from his only postseason start after allowing three goals on 14 shots. Varlamov, 36, is still an above-average NHL netminder but the Islanders’ hopes of sustained success rest on Sorokin regaining the form that left him second in Vezina balloting in 2023. Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman recently speculated Sorokin may still be harboring an injury, something neither confirmed by the Islanders nor Sorokin’s camp. Any prolonged absence would be devastating to the Islanders, thin organizationally in net. Marcus Hogberg, 29, who last played in the NHL in 2021, is the third goalie.
A Gamble on the Future
The Islanders' offseason was defined by a mix of hope and uncertainty. They've made a gamble by largely keeping the core intact, betting that Patrick Roy's coaching will spark a turnaround, and banking on Sorokin's return to his Vezina-caliber form. While the departure of Clutterbuck and Martin signifies a change in the team's identity, the team's success hinges on Sorokin's health and performance. The next season will be a telling one for the Islanders, as they look to break through their recent playoff struggles and find their way back to contention.
