After appearing in just one game for the Islanders in 2024-25, Julien Gauthier has earned himself a one-year, two-way contract extension to remain in Long Island. The 27-year-old right-winger will provide some offensive depth after putting up three goals and eight points in nine games with Bridgeport (AHL) last season.
Former 18th overall pick Liam Foudy has been signed to a one-year, two-way contract extension to provide New York with some offensive depth for the upcoming 2025-26 season. The 25-year-old appeared in two games for the Islanders in 2024-25 but failed to pick up a point, instead spending the majority of his season with Bridgeport (AHL), where he had 20 goals and 45 points.
Heineman is no stranger to being included in big trades, he was traded to Calgary as a part of the Sam Bennett trade, then traded to Montreal as a part of the Tyler Toffoli trade, and now to the Islanders for Noah Dobson. The 6-foot-2, 198 lbs winger was a full-time NHLer in 2024-25, and finished with 18 points (10G / 8A), 64 SOG and 173 hits in 62 games while playing just 11:24 TOI/gm. He'll likely fill a similar bottom-6 role with the Islanders.
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 Senators will opt for experience in Game 2 on Tuesday, with Nick Cousins replacing Matthew Highmore. The 29-year-old Highmore played 9:10 time-on-ice ice, recording a -1 plus/minus and four penalty minutes in Ottawa's Game 1 loss.
Highmore was a healthy scratch for the Senators' season finale but is expected to replace Nick Cousins on the Senators' fourth line on Saturday. HIghmore had just six points (2G / 4A) in 41 games this season, but was used frequently on the penalty kill (1:22 SH TOI/gm).
The Kings will give Darcy Kuemper the night off on Thursday, handing Rittich the start for their regular season finale. Rittich picked up the victory on Tuesday, allowing five goals on 34 shots in a 6-5 win in Seattle. The 32-year-old netminder owns a 16-13-2 record and an .888 SV% on the season. The Kings enter action on Thursday at -175 on the money line.
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.
Heineman has missed the last five games with an upper-body injury but will play Wednesday vs. the Hurricanes. Heineman will be a welcome addition to the Canadiens' bottom-six in a pivotal game for their playoff hopes. Heineman has 10 goals and eight assists (18 points) in 61 games this season.
Romanov was a surprise scratch on Tuesday, with his absence not being announced prior to warmups. Scott Perunovich will dress in his place.
On the tail end of a back-to-back, the Kings will turn to Rittich between the pipes on Tuesday against the Seattle Kraken. With yesterday's game out of hand, Rittich replaced Darcy Kuemper between the pipes in the Kings' 5-0 win over the Edmonton Oilers, saving all five shots he faced in the third period. The 32-year-old Rittich has a 2.69 GAA and .890 SV% in 32 games this season (15-13-2). The Kings enter Tuesday's contest as -110 road favorites against the Kraken.
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.
