inside the islanders Can Cole Eiserman evolve? How ready is Kashawn Aitcheson? The biggest Islanders rookie camp questions By Ethan Sears Published Sep. 11, 2026, 4:30 p.m. ET Isaiah George's effort to secure a 2026-27 roster spot with the Islanders begins with rookie camp. NHLI via Getty Images By the time you’re reading this, there will be hockey on Long Island.
The Islanders opened rookie camp on Friday morning, the first milestone of a grinding seven-month, 84(!)-game season before veterans report next week.
Though rookie camp tends to be a low-key affair, the Islanders no longer have a prospect pipeline so bereft that it’s hard to justify paying attention. Rather, this has become an important week on the calendar, and a pair of scrimmages against the Devils’ prospects on Sunday and Tuesday should prove telling.
Here’s what I’ll be watching most during rookie camp:
