New York Islanders: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Isles return Ilya Sorokin, hope to have Matthew Schaefer vs. Devils

Matthew Schaefer, the player most responsible for the New York Islanders' surprising turnaround this season, may not play Tuesday night. But the Islanders will get back one of their biggest foundational pieces when goalie Ilya Sorokin starts against the New Jersey Devils in a battle of longtime Metropolitan Division rivals in Elmont, N.Y.

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The New York Islanders Have Been Overly Impressive This Season

When the New York Islanders were awarded the first overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft on May 5th, practically nobody thought they’d be where they are just eight months later.

Matthew Schaefer News / Athlon Sports / January 5

Islanders Announce Matthew Schaefer Update on Monday

The New York Islanders provided an injury update on defenseman Matthew Schaefer ahead of Tuesday’s home game against the New Jersey Devils. The Islanders announced on X that Schaefer is considered day to day due to an illness.

Ilya Sorokin News / NHL on ClutchPoints / January 5

Islanders’ Ilya Sorokin returning from injury for Tuesday’s clash with Devils

The New York Islanders are in second place in the Metropolitan Division with 50 points in 42 games. They weathered the storm in recent weeks with multiple injuries impacting the team.

Sidney Crosby News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'All-time points leader by NHL team' quiz

Can you name every NHL franchise's all-time leader in points in five minutes?

The 'Maurice Richard Trophy winners' quiz

The 'NHL 1,600 point club' quiz

The 'Team Canada 2025 Four Nations Face-Off roster' quiz

New York Islanders News / Daily Faceoff / January 5

Islanders sensation Matthew Schaefer gets shoutout from NFL legend Tom Brady

It’s hard to imagine New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer’s rookie season going any better, but getting kudos from the greatest quarterback in NFL history has got to make it a little sweeter.

The 20 greatest nicknames in NHL history

The 'First-overall NHL Draft picks' quiz

NHL News / Yardbarker

Who is the winningest coach for every NHL franchise?

NHL head coaches have to hire good assistants. They have to set an overarching philosophy, juggle lineup configurations, and do the kind of “man management” that is impossible to track statistically.

New York Islanders News / Athlon Sports / January 4

Matthew Schaefer Honors Late Mother After OT Winner

Matthew Schaefer delivered a moment to remember Saturday night, both on the ice and in his heart. The 18-year-old defenseman scored twice, including the overtime winner, to lift the New York Islanders to a 4-3 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Matthew Schaefer News / Breakaway on SI / January 4

Islanders Phenom Chasing Down NHL Record

New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer has already become a rookie phenom in just half a season. The 18-year-old first-year player has been electric through the first 42 games of his NHL career, recording 12 goals and 16 assists for 28 points.

NHL News / The Hockey Writers / January 3

Islanders Score Late In Third & Beat Maple Leafs 4-3 In OT

The New York Islanders are back in action tonight as they host the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Islanders come into this game after losing 7-2 at the hands of the Utah Mammoth on New Year’s Day.

NHL News / Yardbarker / January 3

What now for Auston Matthews as Maple Leafs' all-time goal leader?

What is Auston Matthews' ceiling after becoming Maple Leafs' all-time goal leader?

The Toronto Maple Leafs dropped a 4-3 OT decision against the New York Islanders on Saturday night, but there was one bright spot and a little bit of history for the franchise.

Auston Matthews scores twice to become Maple Leafs' all-time goal-scoring leader

Auston Matthews' record goal not enough as Islanders best Maple Leafs

The 25 most memorable Stanley Cup-clinching moments

The 'NHL all-time goal leaders' quiz

New York Islanders News / Pro Hockey Rumors / January 3

New York Islanders Recall Cole McWard

The New York Islanders announced today that defenseman Cole McWard has been recalled from the club’s AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Islanders. McWard takes the place of blueliner Marshall Warren on the Islanders’ roster, as Warren was reassigned to Bridgeport yesterday.

NHL News / Yardbarker / January 2

Ivan Demidov is hot, but Matthew Schaefer stays Calder front-runner

Canadiens' Ivan Demidov stays hot, but Matthew Schaefer remains Calder front-runner

With the mid-season approaching, Montreal Canadiens forward Ivan Demidov is maintaining chances of winning the Calder Trophy.

NHL’s Calder Trophy Race Isn’t as Close as It Seems

Hockey Canada has a problem of not sending the best available players to tournaments

Will relationship between Adam Fox, Rangers be hurt by Olympic snub?

The 25 most memorable Stanley Cup-clinching moments

The 'Montreal Canadiens Hall of Famers' quiz

NHL News / Field Level Media / January 2

Islanders face Maple Leafs yearning for more good news

The second day of 2026 went much better than the first for the New York Islanders. The Islanders hope their second game of the calendar year goes better than the first on Saturday night, when New York faces the Toronto Maple Leafs in a battle of Eastern Conference rivals in Elmont, N.Y.

New York Islanders News / Pro Hockey Rumors / January 2

Islanders Activate Ilya Sorokin, Reassign Marcus Hogberg

The Islanders activated goaltender Ilya Sorokin from injured reserve on Friday, per Stefen Rosner of NHL.com. He will dress as the backup to David Rittich for Saturday’s game against the Maple Leafs before returning to action Tuesday versus the Devils.

NHL News / The Hockey Writers / January 2

NHL’s Calder Trophy Race Isn’t as Close as It Seems

In the eyes of some, the NHL’s Calder Trophy race is tighter than ever. As New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer has started to slow down offensively, Montreal Canadiens winger Ivan Demidov has begun to take flight.

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The 'Last 4K-yard passer by NFL team' quiz

The 'Heisman Trophy winners since 2000' quiz

The 'TE receiving leaders by NFL team' quiz

The 'Leading receivers vs. each NFL team' quiz

Bo Horvat News / Field Level Media / January 2

Islanders F Bo Horvat, a Canada Olympian, avoids serious injury

New York Islanders alternate captain Bo Horvat remains on track to play for Canada in the Olympics despite leaving Thursday's loss to the Utah Mammoth with an apparent lower-body injury.

Ilya Sorokin News / Daily Faceoff / January 2

Islanders’ Ilya Sorokin activated off IR, will back up against Leafs

The New York Islanders are set to get a big boost in the form of the return of their franchise goaltender. According to NHL.com beat reporter Stefen Rosner,

Bo Horvat News / Pro Hockey Rumors / January 2

Bo Horvat Avoids Long-Term Injury, Out At Least One Week

One day after being included on Team Canada’s roster for the 2026 Olympics, Islanders center Bo Horvat suddenly saw his participation fall into jeopardy after sustaining a lower-body injury in the third period of Thursday’s loss to the Mammoth.

Bo Horvat News / Daily Faceoff / January 2

Islanders’ Bo Horvat not expected to miss Olympics with lower-body injury

New York Islanders’ forward Bo Horvat’s status with the Canadian Olympic men’s hockey team won’t be affected after he suffered a lower-body injury in Thursday’s game against the Utah Mammoth, according to TSN hockey insider Pierre LeBrun.

Bo Horvat News / NHL Trade Talk / January 2

Bo Horvat Injured One Day After Team Canada Olympic Selection

Bo Horvat’s big week took a rough turn Thursday afternoon. Just one day after being named to Team Canada’s Olympic roster for the Milan Games, Horvat was forced to leave the Islanders’ game against the Utah Mammoth in the third period after an awkward collision with defenseman Sean Durzi.