The New York Islanders are a weird team to figure out. Honestly, if you look at the NY Islanders depth chart right now, you won't see many superstars who sell a ton of jerseys outside of Nassau County. There is no Connor McDavid here. No Cale Makar. Instead, Lou Lamoriello has built a roster that looks more like a collection of reliable Swiss watches—sturdy, precise, and occasionally frustrating because they don't have a "ludicrous speed" setting.
People love to count this team out every October. They say the core is too old. They claim the window slammed shut in 2021. Yet, here they are, consistently hovering in that brutal Metropolitan Division playoff race because their depth isn't about scoring 50 goals; it's about making the other team miserable for 60 minutes.
The Down-the-Middle Strength: Barzal, Horvat, and the Pivot
Everything for the Islanders starts with their strength at center. For years, the knock on this team was a lack of high-end offensive talent at the top of the NY Islanders depth chart. Then Bo Horvat showed up.
Bo Horvat has completely changed how Mathew Barzal plays. By moving Barzal to the wing—a move that felt risky at first—the team unlocked a level of creativity they’d been missing. Barzal is a puck-possession monster. He needs the puck on his stick, circling the zone like a shark, waiting for a seam to open. Horvat, meanwhile, is the ultimate "bumper" player. He wins the faceoffs, he plays the 200-foot game, and he parks his large frame in front of the net to clean up the garbage. It’s a symbiotic relationship that works because their skill sets don't overlap; they supplement.
Then you have Brock Nelson. He might be the most underrated second-line center in the entire NHL. Seriously. The guy just puts up 30-goal seasons like he’s clocking into a shift at a factory. He’s quiet, he’s efficient, and he’s often the best player on the ice when the top line is having an off night.
Behind them, Jean-Gabriel Pageau handles the heavy lifting. Pageau is the guy you put on the ice when there are 45 seconds left, you're up by one, and the other team has an empty net. He’s a right-handed shot who wins the draws that matter. While his offensive production has dipped slightly from his Ottawa days, his value to the Islanders' defensive structure is basically immeasurable.
Then there’s Kyle MacLean. He’s been a revelation. Emerged from the AHL and played so well that he forced his way into a permanent spot. He brings that "Islanders DNA"—tenacious, physical, and smart. Having a fourth-line center who can actually play hockey and not just hit people is a luxury this team didn't always have during the Matt Martin/Casey Cizikas/Cal Clutterbuck "Identity Line" heyday.
Defense: A Blue Line Built on Blocks and Minutes
The defensive side of the NY Islanders depth chart is anchored by Noah Dobson. If you haven't watched Dobson lately, you're missing out on a legitimate Norris Trophy contender. He eats minutes. He’s often on the ice for 25 or 26 minutes a night, acting as the primary puck-mover. Without Dobson, this team’s transition game would effectively vanish.
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Pairing him with someone like Alexander Romanov creates a "thunder and lightning" dynamic. Romanov is there to separate people from the puck—frequently through the air—while Dobson looks for the exit pass.
- Noah Dobson: The offensive engine.
- Alexander Romanov: The physical enforcer of the top four.
- Ryan Pulock: The heavy-shot veteran who blocks everything.
- Adam Pelech: The defensive specialist who, when healthy, is a top-10 shutdown guy in the league.
Speaking of Pelech and Pulock, their health is the ultimate "X-factor" for this franchise. When "Pelech and Pulock" are both in the lineup, the Islanders' goals-against average plummets. They are the security blanket. They don't do anything flashy. They just stop the other team's best players from scoring. It sounds simple. It’s actually incredibly hard.
The bottom pair is where things get a bit more fluid. Scott Mayfield is a polarizing figure among the fanbase because of his long-term contract and occasional penchant for ill-timed penalties, but coaches love him. He’s 6'5", he kills penalties, and he clears the porch. Mike Reilly was a savvy pickup—he provides a bit more of that transition skill that the team lacks when Dobson is on the bench.
The Sorokin Factor: Why the Depth Chart is Top-Heavy in Goal
We have to talk about Ilya Sorokin. Any discussion of the NY Islanders depth chart is incomplete without acknowledging that the goalie is often the best player. Sorokin is a freak of nature. His lateral movement is elite, and his ability to track pucks through traffic keeps the Islanders in games they have no business being in.
However, the backup situation with Semyon Varlamov is what makes the Islanders truly dangerous. Most teams have a massive drop-off between their starter and their backup. The Islanders don't. Varlamov could start for 15 other teams in this league. This allows the coaching staff to manage Sorokin’s workload, ensuring he isn't burned out by the time April rolls around. It’s a 1A/1B situation that is the envy of the league.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Bottom Six
The "Identity Line" era is effectively over, or at least, it has evolved. For years, the Islanders relied on Martin, Cizikas, and Clutterbuck to set the tone. It was a grindy, bruising style of play.
But the game is getting faster.
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The current bottom six needs to provide more than just hits. This is where guys like Pierre Engvall and Anders Lee come into play. Lee, the captain, has moved up and down the lineup. While he may have lost a step of speed, he is still one of the best net-front presences in hockey. You can't move him. If the puck is in the crease, Lee is going to find a way to poke it in.
Engvall is a fascinating case. He has the size and the skating ability of a superstar, but the finishing touch of... well, a third-liner. Still, his ability to carry the puck out of the defensive zone under pressure is something the Islanders desperately need. He’s a "zone entry" machine. Even if he doesn't score 20 goals, he keeps the puck 200 feet away from Sorokin, which is a win in the Islanders' system.
The Prospect Pipeline: Who is Bumping the Vets?
Let's be real: the Islanders' prospect pool is often ranked near the bottom of the league. Lou Lamoriello likes to trade first-round picks for established players (see: Horvat, Romanov, Pageau).
But there are names to watch.
Maxim Tsyplakov is the big one. Coming over from the KHL, he represents a low-risk, high-reward gamble on size and scoring touch. If Tsyplakov hits, the NY Islanders depth chart suddenly looks a lot more formidable on the wings. He’s a big body who knows how to score, and that’s exactly what this team needs to support the Barzal/Horvat duo.
Then there's Danny Nelson. He’s a powerhouse center playing college hockey who looks like the heir apparent to the "reliable Islander center" throne. He’s not ready today, but he’s the type of player the Islanders covet.
Why This Roster Still Matters in the Eastern Conference
The Islanders are built for the playoffs, even if getting there is a struggle. Their depth chart is designed for a seven-game series where referees swallow their whistles and the game becomes a war of attrition.
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They don't have the finesse of the Rangers or the raw firepower of the Hurricanes. What they have is a structure. Patrick Roy has instilled a more aggressive defensive posture than we saw under Lane Lambert, but the core philosophy remains: don't beat yourself.
The biggest weakness? Speed. If a team like the Devils or the Maple Leafs gets the Islanders into a track meet, New York usually loses. They need to keep the game in the "mud." When they can slow the pace, cycle the puck, and use their veteran strength, they can beat anyone.
Assessing the Limitations
It’s not all sunshine at UBS Arena. The age of the roster is a concern. When you have long-term deals for players in their 30s, the "NY Islanders depth chart" becomes a bit of a salary cap jigsaw puzzle. If injuries hit the top four on defense or the top two centers, the drop-off is steep.
They lack a true "game-breaker" on the third line. Most championship teams have a third line that can chip in 15-20 goals a piece. The Islanders are still looking for that consistent secondary scoring. They rely heavily on the power play and the top six to do the heavy lifting, which makes them predictable at times.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're tracking the Islanders this season, stop looking at the total goals scored. That's a trap. Instead, look at these three things to understand if the depth is actually working:
- High-Danger Chances Against: This is the best metric for the Pelech/Pulock impact. If this number is low, the Islanders are winning.
- Third Period Goal Differential: The Islanders have struggled with "blown leads." A deep team closes games out. Watch if MacLean and Pageau are on the ice in the final five minutes.
- Noah Dobson’s Shot Attempts: When Dobson is active and shooting, it opens up the entire ice for the forwards. If he’s stagnant, the offense dies.
The Islanders aren't a flashy team. They aren't the media darlings. But the NY Islanders depth chart is built with a specific identity in mind. It’s a "hard-to-play-against" roster that thrives on being the underdog. As long as Sorokin is in net and the center spine remains healthy, they are going to be a problem for the rest of the league.
Keep an eye on the waiver wire and the AHL call-ups. Lou Lamoriello is always tinkering. One minor tweak—a faster fourth-line winger or a more mobile sixth defenseman—can be the difference between a first-round exit and a deep run in the spring.
For the most accurate daily updates, fans should monitor the morning skate lines reported by local beat writers like Andrew Gross or Stefen Rosner. These are the most reliable sources for seeing how the NY Islanders depth chart shifts due to the inevitable bumps and bruises of an 82-game grind. Focus on the defensive pairings during the power play; that’s usually where Patrick Roy reveals who he actually trusts when the game is on the line.