The right side of the blue line has become a growing area of need for the NY Islanders over the past few seasons. Barring any trades, the left side is set for the next few seasons with Matthew Schaefer, Adam Pelech, and Alexander Romanov, but there could be improvement on the right.
The first and most cost-effective option would be re-signing Tony DeAngelo. After a tough start to the season, the 30-year-old turned things around, becoming the second-most productive blue liner behind Schaefer, finishing the season with 35 points (5 G, 30 A) in 76 games. DeAngelo has signed a one-year deal the last two seasons and will likely be looking for more term. If that becomes too rich for Mathieu Darche and the Islanders, they could turn to the trade market and look to become younger.
Last summer, Darche checked on the availability of Simon Nemec of the NJ Devils. This summer, it appears as if the Devils are willing to listen to offers once again. A restricted free agent and just 22 years old, Nemec would add more size and offense to an Islanders blue line that could use some of both. Scoring 11 goals last season, Nemec’s total would have been the second most among all Islanders defensemen.
It has recently been reported that the Ottawa Senators are listening to offers on RFA Jordan Spence. Spence was acquired by the Sens from the LA Kings last summer for a third-round pick, finishing his first season in Ottawa with a career-high 31 points (7 G, 24 A). At 25 years old, you can expect similar, if not better, production from Spence as DeAngelo, while being five years younger. The price on Spence would be much lower than Nemec, but he’d likely be looking for a long-term extension.
With just over a week before the NHL Draft, Darche will be working the phones to improve his roster. With free agency beginning July 1, within the next few weeks we’ll have a better idea of what this Islanders roster will look like heading into 2026-27.
