Isles Buzz
@islesbuzz
Buzzing to talk about the New York Islanders!
The 2027 All Star Game logo goes full fisherman! This complements the #Isles anticipated "Hometown Remix" jerseys for next season. (the logo will be bigger, don't worry)
The #Isles have signed 2026 first round selection, Malte Gustafsson, to a 3-year entry level contract. If he returns to Sweden this season, the contract slides back 1-year (just like Eklund last season). The future of the blue line is taking shape!
#Isles signing right-shot defensemen Matt Kessel to a 1 x $850K (one-way) deal per @notfriedgehnic.bsky.social. Some flexible RHD depth.
Matias Maccelli is signing with the #Isles per @notfriedgehnic.bsky.social. 25 year old winger with decent upside.
A 6' 4" shutdown defensemen who models his game after Victor Hedman is exactly the type of player you want in your system. #Isles Day 2 of the NHL Draft starts at 11:OO AM on NHL Network and ESPN+.
With the 13th overall selection in the 2026 NHL draft, the #Isles select Malte Gustafsson! He is a 6’ 4” puck carrying defensemen who is not afraid to throw his body around. As a left handed shot, Darche does not address the biggest hole in the organization.
When they said players would want to come here and play with Schaefer, this is not what I had in mind #Isles
The official Hamilton Hammers logo! They will use the #Isles signature blue and orange color scheme. What are your thoughts on the new branding?
The #Isles have promoted Rocky Thompson to the big club as an assistant coach. He was responsible for returning Bridgeport back to the playoffs in his first year with the organization.
Barzal confirmed to be playing for Team Canada in the upcoming World Championships. #Isles
The #Isles have filed for 3 team names for their new @theahl.com affiliate in Hamilton: - Hamilton Mustangs - Hamilton Havoc - Hamilton Hammers Which name would you prefer?
Varlamov picks up a 5-2 win (18/20 saves) in his conditioning stink down in Bridgeport. What a moment for him! As Darche said, he could’ve easily called it quits and collected his paycheck for the next 2 years. He put in the hard work just for a chance to return to the show. Happy for him! #Isles
#Isles have signed Quinn Finley, 2022 3rd round pick, to a 2-year ELC. They are also about to sign 2025 2nd round pick, Danill Prokhorov, to a 3-year ELC. Hamilton will have a fun team to watch in their inaugural season.
A massive question mark: #Isles New GM and President, Mathieu Darche, had an up and down first year. The Noah Dobson trade and new coach hire were home runs, but his trade deadline left much to be desired. What is his vision for this team? Veteran-focused or prospect heavy. We simply have no clue.
Some negatives: #Isles After Schaefer, the defense is shocking. Pelech and Pulock have their moments, but they are aging out. Mayfield, Soucy, and Boqvist are just plain dogshit. DeAngelo and Romanov are whatever. Scoring or lack thereof. The PP is a joke and this team has no secondary production.
Some positives: #Isles Ilya Sorokin is genuinely a top-3 goaltender in this league. On a better team, he runs away with the Vezna. World class talent. Matthew Schaefer. I mean come on! A gem, a superstar, a franchise defensemen. Future C. Great bounce back year from Barzal after a serious injury.
This season exposed what we've all known for years. The #Isles have an abysmal defense core and a forward group that is incapable of producing when it matters. Strong seasons from Sorokin, Schaefer, Barzal, and Horvat were not enough to cover up those flaws. Darche has his hands full. A thread:
Genuinely curious about your thoughts: should/will the #Isles bring back their captain, Anders Lee?
3-7 in their last 10. Franchise goalie hung out to dry. A coach who plays favorites, doesn’t understand his team’s strengths, and can’t make in-game adjustments. A future hall of famer franchise defensemen that hides very clear roster flaws. Old, slow, complacent locker room. No scoring. #Isles