Which Islanders defensemen are playing together? Stay tuned
Isaiah George of the Islanders patrols the blue line during a rookie camp scrimmage against the New Jersey Devils at Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow on Sept. 15. Credit: James Escher
Pete DeBoer probably would have liked more clarity, less flux, among his defensemen by this point.
But it appeared the Islanders coach was still mulling his top four and who the sixth and seventh defensemen will be after Friday night’s 6-1 preseason loss to the Rangers at UBS Arena.
The lineup gave some clues to the uncertainty.
Alexander Romanov (minus-3 in 20:24 of ice time) and Ryan Pulock (minus-3 in 18:29) were paired together for their preseason debuts. Romanov, who said he liked his third period, missed the final 62 games last season after undergoing shoulder surgery and Pulock required offseason shoulder surgery. Romanov certainly will be among the top six. But DeBoer would only commit to Romanov having “upside” to play in the top four.
Meanwhile, Isaiah George (minus-1 in 17:32) and Matt Kessel (plus-1 in 15:27) were the third pair as they, along with Scott Mayfield, who did not dress, vie for the sixth and seventh spots on the roster.
It would represent a colossal blow to George’s status within the organization if he cannot secure a spot in the top six, let alone make the roster for Wednesday night’s season-opener in Toronto.
“It’s a tough game to evaluate our defensemen,” said DeBoer, before adding, “George’s game has gotten a little bit better.”
DeBoer did say goalie Semyon Varlamov (21 saves), who played the full game, has proven he can handle the backup role behind Ilya Sorokin as he comes back from two partial knee replacement surgeries that have kept him sidelined since Nov. 28, 2024.
General manager Mathieu Darche said in the offseason George, 22, a fourth-round pick in 2022 who has played 37 NHL games and is entering his third season in the organization, would have every chance to make the team. A spot is there for George’s taking. He has not taken it yet despite being the only left-handed shot among the third-pair candidates, the winner presumably to skate with right-handed Tony DeAngelo.
Kessel, 26, has played 99 NHL games for the Blues while Mayfield has been a regular in the Islanders’ lineup for eight-plus seasons.
“You’re just looking for stability,” DeBoer said. “You want to gain the coach’s trust. We’re starting on the road in Toronto. We don’t control the matchups. You have to feel OK that [Auston] Matthews’ line is going to jump over the boards and those guys are going to be OK.”
The cutdown to the season’s 23-man roster will be finalized on Monday following Saturday’s preseason finale against the Devils at UBS Arena.
Whether DeBoer keeps left-handed Matthew Schaefer playing on his off-side with fellow lefty Adam Pelech on a top pair will impact how the other two pairs are constructed.
A healthy Romanov, entering the second season of an eight-year, $50 million deal, is integral to DeBoer’s plans.
The 6-1 Romanov is listed at 207 pounds, 13 pounds lighter than last year’s training camp, in part because he changed his eating habits. His last game was Nov. 18.
“I just want to come back and feel how it feels to be a hockey player,” Romanov said.
DeBoer said Romanov and Pulock will also play Saturday.
Clarity is coming to the defense corps. But it’s still in flux.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
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