The New York Islanders’ offseason was a disaster—ranked dead last in league prep, they lost key talent and barely added anything to fill the void. With offense still a glaring weakness and no serious upgrades, their only shot at the playoffs hinges on Ilya Sorokin being lights-out and Matthew Schaefer exploding offensively. Without major changes or luck from division rivals, their path to the postseason is razor-thin and wildly unpredictable.

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Matthew Schaefer is the name dominating NHL draft chatter in 2025, with GMs already imagining do-overs after witnessing his explosive rookie year—though a slight fade late made everyone wonder what’s next. If he rebounds strong in his sophomore season, expect a massive payday of $15–16M annually. His media savvy and New York fan appeal could turn him into a franchise magnet, while his agent eyes a long-term deal (5–7 years) at that rate. With defensemen like Hughes and Makar setting new contract benchmarks, Schaefer’s path to Team Canada and Olympic glory feels inevitable—if he stays healthy, he’s a lock for greatness.

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The New York Islanders are chasing a playoff return after an eight-point miss last season, needing elite goaltending from Ilya Sorokin, a breakout offensive star like Matthew Schaefer, and a division that’s ripe for the taking — with hopes pinned on rivals having down years to open up wild card spots or top-three positions.

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