Islanders Draft and Development Camp Refresh

Things have been quiet coming out of the New York Islanders organization. That’s not uncommon in the offseason. At times, the offseason can feel a little like hurry-up and wait. Fans see the news on their screens, and beyond a headline or two, they may not hear much more until players are back on the ice. Much of what general manager Mathieu Darche has done is yet to be seen.

Lately, it’s been draft news, development camp, and letting fans wonder a little bit when it comes to what the team will look like next season. Darche held a media availability to answer some questions and let fans in on what he’s thinking.

2026 Draft

Coming out of the 2026 NHL Draft, Darche wasn’t shy when it came to building a defense. Many of the draft picks the Islanders made were defensemen. While the idea of never having enough is a point worth enforcing, it also raises the question of what the defense structure will look like not only this season, but into future seasons.

With the five selections, the team made the priority was supporting the defense. Outside of a couple of offensive picks later in the draft. Rounds 1, 4, and 5 were all defensemen. Rounds 6 and 7 were for the forwards.

Aside from the business of it all, an argument could be made on who had more fun at the development camp, the players on the ice, getting a hefty taste of NHL action, taking part in typical social media content the team puts out, which gives fans the access they are excited about. Players additionally got a taste of how the Islanders organization gives back. Upon wrapping up day two of camp, in partnership with the Special Olympics, children got to take the ice along with players after camp.

The camp includes twenty forwards, ten defensemen, and four goalies. A familiar name, specifically the last name, had also been on the ice. Michael Hagens, a Hauppauge local, was a local participant who had been invited to join the camp. Long Island is continuing to build local talent. Tanner Adams of Northport and Ryan Franks of Roslyn. Fans were also watching names a little bit more familiar, including Cole Eiserman and Kashawn Aitcheson.

Matthew Schaefer

A lighthearted note out of the NHL draft was fans witnessing Matthew Schaefer taking the mic. Not for a rink side interview but for a media spot of his own.

Schaefer was taking on another job, even if only for an evening. When a microphone was put into the young defenseman’s hand, it seemed like a natural extension of his already fun personality and how he showcases that on and off the ice. Social media does what it usually does and enjoys Schaefer content; this time it was his media potential that got threads buzzing. This time, when he was asked about his thoughts on the draft, it was to get his take on the picks from where he sat. That being sitting for network interviews at the NHL draft, as well as hosting his own interview once first-round pick Gavin McKenna stepped off the stage, following his moment with Justin Bieber to the waiting Matthew Schaefer. It was a similar spotlight that Schaefer was under just a year ago, minus Bieber.

There’s no doubt Islanders fans have another exciting season ahead with new names and new systems in place. The pieces are stacking up; it’s just a matter of putting them together in a way that makes sense. Fans may not have started a countdown just yet, but these moments help to build towards the excitement when the puck drops.