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Islanders rumors: NY open to trading Mathew Barzal after disappointing 2025-26 season
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- Islanders rumors: NY open to trading Mathew Barzal after disappointing 2025-26 season
Islanders rumors: NY open to trading Mathew Barzal after disappointing 2025-26 season appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The New York Islanders missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2025-26, missing for a second straight year. This led the Islanders to fire Patrick Roy at the end of the season and bring in Peter DeBoer.
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As DeBoer and GM Mathieu Darche try to reshape the roster in an effort to return to the playoffs, they could be open to trading a big-name piece , according to Bruce Garrioch of The Ottawa Citizen.
"A league executive told The Citizen that the New York Islanders are exploring the market for forward Mathew Barzal . The club would like to clear some cap space, but it's a big financial commitment with four years left at $9.15 million through 2030-31," Garrioch wrote.
Barzal was the 16th overall selection of the 2015 NHL Draft by the New York Islanders. He would make his NHL debut in 2016-17 after finishing his season with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL. Since then, he has played his entire career with the Islanders. Overall, he has played in 611 regular-season games, finding the back of the net 153 times while adding 381 assists. Further, he has played in 60 playoff games with the franchise, scoring 17 goals and adding 28 helpers.
"Reports indicate the Utah Mammoth kicked tires on Barzal last summer, but opted not to make the move," Garrioch added, while also mentioning the Ottawa Senators as an option if they can figure out the salary cap restraints.
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Barzal will be an attractive option for teams if he is made available by the Islanders. He led the team in assists and points in 2025-26, while also putting up 20 points on the power play.
Moving Barzal would also be big for the cap situation for the team, which could allow the Islanders to make a move for another big-time scoring option .
Related: Islanders rumors: Why Anders Lee re-signing with New York isn't a slam dunk
