Despite entering the 2024-25 season with uncertainty surrounding his spot in the lineup, Kyle MacLean earned a place on the New York Islanders’ opening night roster and went on to appear in 81 of the team’s 82 games.
He recorded 11 points (four goals, seven assists), a respectable stat line for someone used almost exclusively in a fourth-line role. While his offensive numbers didn’t jump off the page, MacLean’s first full NHL season showcased the strengths of his game: a relentless motor, strong work ethic, and physical edge.
According to NHL Edge, his top skating speed reached 22.18 MPH, placing him in the 77th percentile among all NHL forwards. He also ranked fourth on the Islanders in hits with 108.
As a fourth liner, his role was relatively sheltered and constantly changing, so he was never able to get comfortable despite playing nearly every game.
Despite this, he was a valuable defender, ranking seventh among Islanders forwards in 5v5 shots against per 60 minutes (26.24), fifth in expected goals against per 60 minutes (2.37), and third in CoreNHL’s shot quality against metric.
Puck luck didn’t go his way, as Islanders goaltenders posted just a .899 save percentage at 5v5 with MacLean on the ice, the third-lowest on-ice mark among the team’s forwards.
Even so, the metrics suggest he was among the Islanders’ best at limiting both the quantity and quality of chances against.
MacLean also finished the season with only 14 penalty minutes, giving Patrick Roy confidence in his ability to play with discipline and stay out of the box.
Final Verdict: B
All in all, MacLean’s season was sufficient. Fourth-liners aren’t asked to be game-changers, but rather dependable players who can eat minutes and fill various roles, and MacLean did exactly that.
Whether he was playing alongside Marc Gatcomb, Casey Cizikas, Maxim Tsyplakov, Oliver Wahlstrom, or someone else, MacLean delivered what was asked of him.
Heading into 2025-26, however, his role may be shifting.
Mathieu Darche has emphasized the need to add speed to the lineup, suggesting MacLean still has a place on the roster. But improving forward depth, particularly in the offensive zone, was also a clear focus.
The additions of Jonathan Drouin, Emil Heineman, and Maxim Shabanov have created a deeper forward group, and MacLean now appears to be trending toward New York’s 13th forward slot.
If Shabanov makes the roster out of training camp, it will almost certainly be in a top-nine role, given that he is an offensively oriented forward.
Assuming Calum Ritchie opens the season in Bridgeport, MacLean still needs to outplay at least two of Tsyplakov, Cizikas, Heineman, and Gatcomb to secure a spot in the lineup, a possible, though unlikely, scenario.
While spending nights in the press box is never ideal, MacLean still offers value.
If a forward goes down, his ability to play both center and wing gives Roy lineup flexibility. And with speed being a priority, MacLean can play an important role in practice, pushing his teammates and helping prepare them for game situations.
For the first time in a while, the Islanders made significant roster changes during the offseason, so how things ultimately shake out remains uncertain.
Although MacLean currently projects to be just outside the everyday lineup, his story is far from finished. He is likely to maintain his low-event, defense-first presence while producing offense at a pace consistent with the start of his NHL career, no matter what role he ends up in.
CoreNHL’s model projects MacLean to provide an estimated $915,000 of value in 2025-26.
Stefen Rosner contributed to this report.