Overview
- New York begins 2025-26 with Jonathan Drouin, Maxim Shabanov and Emil Heineman added to bolster offense at five-on-five and on the power play.
- Projected lines slot Drouin with Bo Horvat and Heineman, with Mat Barzal moving back to center between Anders Lee and Kyle Palmieri.
- Rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer is slated to pair with Scott Mayfield, alongside Adam Pelech–Ryan Pulock and Alexander Romanov–Tony DeAngelo.
- Head coach Patrick Roy confirmed Ryan Pulock will wear an alternate ‘A’ on the road and Kyle Palmieri at home, with Bo Horvat holding the other ‘A’ full-time.
- Ilya Sorokin remains the starter in goal with David Rittich backing up as the Islanders face a Penguins team coming off a 3-0 win over the Rangers.