As the 2024-25 NHL season nears its end, the New York Islanders find themselves in a frustrating spot: close enough to dream about the playoffs, yet not playing like a team that belongs there. With just a few games left, the Islanders are three points out of the final wild-card position and trailing four teams in the race. But the bigger concern? The team looks stuck — not rebuilding, not contending — just treading water in the NHL’s dreaded middle ground.
Islanders’ Recent Struggles Signal Deeper Issues
The Isles have lost seven of their last ten games and are currently on a five-game winless streak, including back-to-back defeats against Tampa Bay and Carolina. These losses aren’t just bad timing; they highlight how inconsistent this team has been all season.
While they’ve flirted with a playoff spot, the overall performance shows a team lacking identity and direction. They don’t have the firepower or depth to push for a deep postseason run, and they’re not quite bad enough to secure a top draft pick either — a situation that limits growth and long-term improvement.
Questionable Contracts Weighing the Team Down
One of the biggest concerns for Islanders fans is how salary cap space is being used. Several long-term contracts now look like mistakes.
Pierre Engvall, signed for $3 million per year until 2029 with a 16-team no-trade list, has underperformed. Despite a recent stretch of decent play, he only has 13 points in 53 games, and was even placed on waivers earlier this season with no team picking him up.
Scott Mayfield, another long-term investment, carries a $3.5-million cap hit and has five years remaining. His ice time has dropped significantly, and he’s even been a healthy scratch. For a player with a full no-trade clause through 2026, this is a problem.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau is reliable, but his $5-million price tag doesn’t match his production — 12 goals and 37 points this year. For a team needing to make every dollar count, his contract may not offer good value anymore.
These contracts are clogging the Islanders’ flexibility. The team is stuck paying veterans with limited impact, making it harder to retool the roster with fresh talent.
Aging Roster, Weak Pipeline – A Bad Combo
The Islanders currently have the sixth-oldest roster in the NHL, and according to most prospect rankings, they also have one of the weakest talent pipelines. This means there are very few young players ready to step in and make an impact.
Their top prospect, Calum Ritchie, acquired in the Brock Nelson trade, is the only player expected to possibly join the NHL lineup within the next two years. That’s not enough for a team trying to stay competitive in a league that keeps getting faster and younger.
A Crucial Offseason Lies Ahead
Looking ahead, the Islanders have some big decisions to make. They’ll need to handle seven restricted free agents (RFAs) and five unrestricted free agents (UFAs) this summer. Management must avoid repeating the mistake of giving out long-term deals with trade protection to role players.
Instead, they should focus on building a younger, faster roster and use their two first-round picks in 2026 wisely. Choosing a clear direction — whether it’s rebuilding or aggressively retooling — is better than continuing with this unclear, middle-ground approach.
The New York Islanders are at a crossroads. They’re not bad enough to rebuild through high draft picks, but not good enough to truly compete for the Stanley Cup. Aging veterans with expensive contracts are holding the team back, and a weak prospect system gives little hope for quick internal improvement.
General Manager Lou Lamoriello has had a legendary career, but after seven seasons in charge of the Islanders, the results don’t match the early promise of back-to-back semifinals in 2020 and 2021. This offseason will be critical. A bold reset — focused on youth, speed, and smart cap management — might be the only way to avoid staying in this mushy middle for years to come.
