"A.k.a., No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer's NHL debut. "We have a great team," the 18-year-old defenseman said after Wednesday's practice at Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow. "From the goalies to defense to forwards, I think we're pretty deep. We have great guys on and off the ice. I think we have the team that can go pretty far.""
""There's always nervous excitement but I feel like it's a team thing more than a personal thing," said Drouin, who had 11 goals and 26 assists in 43 games for the Avalanche last season and has also played for the Lightning and Canadiens. "You want to get off on the right foot. You don't want to be chasing a couple of teams.""
"Free-agent signee Jonathan Drouin and Russian rookie Max Shabanov, who played the past three seasons in the KHL, are expected to bolster the offensive production, both five-on-five and on the power play. Wing Emil Heineman, acquired from the Canadiens in the Noah Dobson trade, has earned a top-six role for now. New assistant coaches Ray Bennett and Bob Boughner will run the power play and penalty kill, respectively."
After a long offseason and six-game preseason, the Islanders open the season against the Penguins while entering a new era under executive vice president/general manager Mathieu Darche. No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer makes his NHL debut and projects as a steadying presence on defense. Jonathan Drouin and KHL import Max Shabanov are expected to boost five-on-five and power-play offense, and Emil Heineman has earned a top-six wing role. New assistant coaches Ray Bennett and Bob Boughner will manage the power play and penalty kill. The team finished 35-35-12 and missed the playoffs by nine points; the club has not won a playoff series since 2021. Top-line center Bo Horvat described missing the playoffs as "Brutal."
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