New York announced on Tuesday that 16-year-veteran Matt Martin would be retiring from professional hockey. The 36-year-old Windsor native ends his time in the NHL just 13 games short of the 1000 GP mark alongside his 81 goals, 178 points and 1168 PIMs in 987 games played. Martin will remain with the Islanders' organization as he will step into the role of Special Assistant to the General Manager immediately.
Boqvist was acquired off waivers by Long Island in 2024-25 and has signed a one-year, $850,000 contract extension to remain with the Islanders for at least one more season. The 24-year-old mobile defenseman was once the 2018 8th overall pick but has struggled to find his footing, even playing forward at times for the Islanders last season. In 35 games combined between Florida and New York, he had four goals and 14 points while producing a -9 plus/minus.
After five successful seasons on Long Island, Kyle Palmieri has committed to two more after signing a two-year, $9.5 million contract extension ($4,750,000 AAV). The 34-year-old continued to play a crucial top-six role in 2024-25, picking up 24 goals, 48 points and 169 SOG in 82 games played. He is only 100 games away from reaching the illustrious 1000 games played mark.
Horvat suffered the injury at the World Championships, cutting his tournament short, but will be ready for training camp in September.
Clutterbuck did not play in the 2024-25 season and has announced his retirement, ending his career with 293 points (143G / 150A) in 1064 games. The 37-year-old was drafted 72nd overall by the Minnesota Wild in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, going on to play 17 NHL seasons, splitting time with Minnesota and the New York Islanders.
The Islanders have lost four of their last five (1-3-1) and hope to end the season positively, turning to Hogberg between the pipes in their season-finale on Thursday. Hogberg has struggled when called upon lately, posting an abysmal 6.04 GAA and .780 SV% in his last four outings (0-2-2). The 30-year-old goalie has a 3.14 GAA and .887 SV% in 14 appearances this season (2-5-3). The Islanders enter Thursday's contest as +157 road underdogs against a Columbus Blue Jackets team riding a four-game winning streak.
Perunovich will slot in for Alexander Romanov (undisclosed). Perunovich has appeared in nine games since joining the Islanders earlier this season, registering zero goals and three assists.
Romanov was a surprise scratch on Tuesday, with his absence not being announced prior to warmups. Scott Perunovich will dress in his place.
Pelech exited New York's previous game due to an upper-body injury after only 9:06 time-on-ice, but he will return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Washington Capitals. The 30-year-old Pelech is averaging 21:10 time-on-ice and has 21 points (0G / 21A) in 59 games this season.
The Islanders are coming off a 1-0 win over the New Jersey Devils, a 25-save shutout performance by Sorokin, his fourth of the season. The 29-year-old Sorokin has a 2.72 GAA and .906 SV% in 60 games this season (30-23-6). He will return to the crease on Tuesday against a Washington Capitals team he saved 28 of 29 shots (.966 SV%) against in a 4-1 win less than two weeks ago. The Islanders enter Tuesday's contest as slight -104 home underdogs against the Capitals.
Ilya Sorokin was not at New York's morning skate on Thursday, tending to an upper-body injury, leaving the crease to Hogberg. The 30-year-old Hogberg struggled in a relief performance on Tuesday, allowing three goals on nine shots (.667 SV%) in a 7-6 overtime loss to the Nashville Predators. He has a 2.62 GAA and .907 SV% in 12 appearances this season (2-4-2). The Islanders enter Thursday's contest as -120 home favorites against a New York Rangers team coming off a disappointing 8-5 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers last night.
Lennox was a third-round pick, 93rd overall, of the Islanders in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. The 22-year-old goalie has a 4.44 GAA and .832 SV% in four games with the Bridgeport Islanders (AHL). He will likely serve as the backup to Marcus Hogberg in Thursday's contest against the New York Rangers.
Ilya Sorokin was not at New York's morning skate on Thursday, tending to an upper-body injury, leaving the crease to Hogberg. The 30-year-old Hogberg struggled in a relief performance on Tuesday, allowing three goals on nine shots (.667 SV%) in a 7-6 overtime loss to the Nashville Predators. He has a 2.62 GAA and .907 SV% in 12 appearances this season (2-4-2). The Islanders enter Thursday's contest as -120 home favorites against a New York Rangers team coming off a disappointing 8-5 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers last night.
