Islanders’ Best-Case Scenarios for the Youth Movement

The first question is whether Schaefer makes it out of training camp. Ideally, he does, but considering Darche is focused on the long game, he might want him to return to the Ontario Hockey League or play at the amateur level for one more season to focus on development.

There’s also the question about the role he plays and the ice time he receives. It’s likely Schaefer will begin his rookie season on the third pair alongside a veteran like Scott Mayfield. However, if the 18-year-old is good enough from day one, then a best-case scenario picks up steam as he can be a top-pair option and give the team a much-needed two-way presence right away.

Scenario Two: Islanders Get Depth Youth Movement

While the Islanders’ pipeline is focused on the elite talents, the ones who can make an impact this season are the depth skaters. In recent seasons, they called up Kyle MacLean and Marc Gatcomb, two depth skaters at the American Hockey League (AHL) level, to play on the fourth line. The same can happen this season, except with Matthew Maggio and Alex Jefferies adding scoring to the third and fourth lines.

Maggio and Jefferies are coming off rough seasons with the Bridgeport Islanders, but to be fair, everyone from the AHL team is coming off a rough season. So, with a new system and head coach, these prospects can step up and find their footing and provide depth scoring to the NHL team.

There’s also a situation where the Islanders add depth to their defense from the farm system. Like Maggio and Jefferies, Calle Odelius had a rough season in the AHL and could find his footing. Likewise, Isaiah George, who showed flashes last season, can become a regular on the defense. If that happens, then the Islanders suddenly have some youth in their lineup and a complete roster.

Scenario Three: The Islanders Have Major Youth Movement All At Once

This would be the best-case scenario as the Islanders not only win big with one or two prospects making the NHL roster. Instead, they get a wave of talent that changes the dynamics and provides plenty of optimism for years to come. It starts with Schaefer making the team and having an immediate impact, but goes beyond that.

It would have Ritchie making the team as well on opening night and becoming the two-way center who can anchor the second line. As a scorer, he can give the Islanders an extra layer of offense and make the forward unit a tough one to stop. With Ritchie centering the second line, Mathew Barzal can move to the top line wing, and Jean-Gabriel Pageau can settle in on the third line, where he’s at his best.

Ritchie can join the team right away, but Eiserman, who is still at Boston College, can’t. He can, however, join the team once the college hockey season ends, and if that happens, there’s a chance he makes an instant impact. Eiserman, the Islanders’ first-round selection in the 2024 Draft, has a great shot and projects as a great scorer in the NHL, so he can add another spark to the offense.

If all that happens, a depth youth movement is just the cherry on top. Likewise, there’s a good chance the Islanders are one of the best teams in the NHL, at least a top-three team in the Metropolitan Division. It’s why it will probably not happen (although one can dream).

More Likely Scenarios for the Youth Movement

With all the prospects in the system, the one with the best outlook to join the team is Ritchie. Yes, the center position is a hard adjustment from junior to pro hockey, but he’s developed into a skater capable of playing that role. Schaefer, meanwhile, needs time to develop, so even if he’s on the NHL team, he’ll probably play a minimal role and make less of an impact, at least in the beginning of the season, that is.

Otherwise, the Islanders are looking at one or maybe two prospects making the team at some point. George will be on the defense, but it’s hard to see another prospect joining him. It will take a great season at the AHL level to have another skater promoted at some point this season.