New York Islanders [http://thn.com/isles] No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer [https://www.theelmonters.com/p/matthew-schaefer-islanders-growth-mindset] has made the team. The 18-year-old had his rookie moment throughout preseason, but there's no question his best development path is at the NHL level. New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) on X [https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1759666041473449984/iR48RbaQ_200x200.jpg] New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) on X Your 2025-26 New York Islanders. [https://x.com/nyislanders/status/1975212746498257118?s=46&t=IRIFf8wmlEpx9YxSM0Kyjg] Schaefer will open the season on the club's third defense pairing alongside Scott Mayfield, while quarterbacking the second power-play unit. After nine games, the Islanders will have to decide whether or not to return him to the OHL's Erie Otters for the remainder of the OHL season or keep him on the NHL roster. Returning to juniors is likely not in Schaefer's future, as long as he can prove he can handle his own out there. As expected, Adam Boqvist has won the seventh defenseman job as the Islanders optioned 21-year-old defenseman Isaiah George to Bridgeport of the American Hockey League on Monday morning. With forward Calum Ritchie out 1-2 weeks, that made the Islanders' decision easier when it came to the extra forwards, as Kyle MacLean and Marc Gatcomb will fill those roles. Forward Pierre Engvall (offseason hip surgery), Ritchie, and forwards Daylan Kuefler (upper body) and Jesse Nurmi (knee procedure will begin the season on Season-Opening Injured Reserve. Defenseman Ethan Bear joins Varlamov on IR. Explaining Season-Opening Injured Reserve & How That Impacts Islanders [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/a6ceaf1a-e5a1-45c2-9551-51f4c991dbb6.jpeg] Explaining Season-Opening Injured Reserve & How That Impacts Islanders <b>EAST MEADOW, NY -- </b>By Monday at 5 PM ET, the <a href="http://thn.com/isles">New York Islanders</a> and the 31 NHL teams must submit their salary-cap-compliant rosters to the league office.<b> </b> [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/explaining-season-opening-injured-reserve-how-that-impacts-islanders] Here's the projected opening-night lineup: Drouin-Horvat-Heineman Lee-Barzal-Palmieri Shabanov-Pageau-Holmstrom Duclair-Cizikas-Tsyplakov Romanov-DeAngelo Pelech-Pulock Schaefer-Mayfield Sorokin Rittich The Islanders open the season on Thursday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena. Puck drop is slated for 7 PM ET on MSGSN. Stay updated with the most interesting Islanders stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwpuDfCA?ceid=CA:en&oc=3] to never miss a story.
