New York Islanders Facing Low Expectations for 2026-27 Season Amidst Quiet Offseason

The New York Islanders enter the 2026-27 NHL season with muted expectations, according to oddsmakers. The team is pegged as the biggest long shot in the Metropolitan Division and is tied with the Detroit Red Wings for the longest odds in the Eastern Conference.

Despite the emergence of defenseman Matthew Schaefer, the presence of goaltender Ilya Sorokin, and the hiring of coach Pete DeBoer, the Islanders did not make significant additions during the offseason. This approach stands in contrast to moves made at the trade deadline in the previous season aimed at immediate improvement. General Manager Mathieu Darche has indicated a strategy of "wait 'til next summer" for major roster changes, despite limited player contracts expiring soon and the team being close to playoff contention in 2025-26.

The team's core includes key players such as Schaefer, Sorokin, Bo Horvat, Mathew Barzal, Simon Holmstrom, and Cal Ritchie. However, the lack of offseason acquisitions has led the betting market to believe that the Islanders' success will hinge heavily on DeBoer maximizing the potential of the current roster, a situation reminiscent of Barry Trotz's impact in his first year with the team.

Season Preview and Betting Odds

| Market | Odds | | --- | --- | | Stanley Cup odds | 150/1 | | Eastern Conference odds | 55/1 | | Metropolitan Division odds | 25/1 | | Make playoffs (Yes/No) | +220/-275 | | Over/Under points | 88.5 |

Odds via DraftKings

If the Islanders are to exceed these projections, potential betting opportunities exist. DeBoer is listed at 28/1 to win the Jack Adams Award, Sorokin at +880 for the Vezina Trophy, and rookies Victor Eklund (50/1) and Cole Eiserman (150/1) are considered candidates for the Calder Trophy.

Best Bets Focus on Matthew Schaefer

The most compelling bet highlighted is on defenseman Matthew Schaefer. The 18-year-old defenseman had a standout rookie season in 2025-26, recording 23 goals and 36 assists in 82 games. He played an average of 24:41 minutes per game, significantly more than any other Islanders player, and demonstrated strong 5-on-5 performance. Schaefer is considered among the top defensemen in the league.

Sportsbooks list Schaefer behind Cale Makar, Zach Werenski, Quinn Hughes, Lane Hutson, and Rasmus Dahlin for the Norris Trophy, with odds of 20/1 available at Fanatics Sportsbook. The article suggests that if bettors are optimistic about the Islanders' chances, placing a portion of that bet on Schaefer to win the Hart Trophy at 110/1 is also a worthwhile consideration. The prevailing sentiment is that the Islanders' success will be directly tied to Schaefer's continued development and performance.