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The New York Islanders find themselves in an unusual position regarding their current roster composition.
Following a 91-point campaign in 2025-26, the team made minimal offseason additions, prompting many to predict a challenging 2026-27 season as other Eastern Conference teams have improved.
Yet, the Islanders remain a difficult team to overlook due to the sheer number of high-caliber players they employ.
This is evident in ESPN's top 100 NHL players list, compiled by a panel of broadcasters, analysts, reporters, and editors who rated players based on how they are expected to perform relative to their peers this season.
New York is well represented with four players on the list.
The Montreal Canadiens, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Dallas Stars each have six players, highlighting the elite talent the Islanders possess.
Three teams—the Seattle Kraken, Calgary Flames, and Vancouver Canucks—have no players listed.
Which Islanders made the cut? For New York, the highest-rated player comes as no surprise.
That distinction goes to defenseman Matthew Schaefer, who has already established himself as an NHL superstar after a historic rookie season.
He is ranked No. 16, a massive leap from being unranked last year before his first professional season.
Only three defensemen rank ahead of him: Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche, Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets, and Quinn Hughes of the Minnesota Wild.
The next Islanders player is goaltender Ilya Sorokin.
He lands at No. 27, a significant jump from No. 66 last year.
His high placement is deserved given his elite workload and production, with five consecutive seasons of 50+ starts and a .906 save percentage.
The third New York player is center Bo Horvat.
Named the 16th captain in franchise history, he is ranked No. 85, up from No. 100 last year.
Earning that title speaks volumes about his productivity both on and off the ice.
Finally, the Islanders' fourth player is forward Mathew Barzal.
He comes in at No. 91, a considerable drop from No. 71 last year.
A knee injury has kept him sidelined thus far, but the team hopes he will be fully healthy and avoid the nagging issues that plagued him last season.
Key Analysis
The Islanders' presence on the top 100 list underscores their potential despite a quiet offseason. With four players recognized, including a rising superstar in Schaefer and a reliable workhorse in Sorokin, the team has a core that can compete. However, questions remain about depth and health, particularly with Barzal's injury. If the supporting cast can step up, New York could surprise those who doubt them.