New York Islanders Three targets for Islanders as they head into consequential free agency By Andrew Crane Published June 30, 2026, 8:47 p.m. ET Florida Panthers goaltender Daniil Tarasov (40) looks on during a NHL game between the Detroit Red Wings and the Florida Panthers on April 15, 2026 at Amerant Bank Arena. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Three targets for the Islanders in free agency:
Marchment could be the Islanders pivot if Anders Lee departs, and he’s a forward with a left-handed shot whose stat line (19-26-45) almost mirrored Lee’s numbers (19-23-42).
While the Islanders expect Semyon Varlamov to make his long-awaited return next season, Tarasov, who went 13-15-3 last season with the Panthers, could provide some insurance behind Ilya Sorokin and further leverage his potential as a No. 1 goaltender somewhere else in the future.
Mathieu Joseph of the Kings during the third period of their loss to the Canucks at Rogers Arena on April 14, 2026. Getty Images The Islanders decision not to give Marc Gatcomb a qualifying offer leaves an opening on the right side of their fourth line, and Joseph, who contributed to two Stanley Cup-winning teams in Tampa Bay when Darche was the Lightning’s president of hockey operations, could be a fit.
