"But then again, the Islanders having virtually no reps for the Olympics is a blessing in disguise. One of the things I've been cautioning about is that teams with abundant representatives, like the Tampa Bay Lightning and Colorado Avalanche, could find their top stars putting on additional miles during a season that's pretty intense as it is. In the Islanders' case, the club could be the most rested team heading into the post-Olympic break. The three-week hiatus would give sore guys a chance to heal."
"He stated: "...you could think ahead to the post-break scramble, where the Islanders will be one of the best-rested teams in the playoff race. Come to think of it, maybe you'd rather do both." While some contenders will be looking to get creative in finding extra rest for their stars, the Islanders will be there, waiting for the gate to open."
The New York Islanders could have just one Olympian in 2026 if Bo Horvat is fully healthy, despite other viable candidates such as Matthew Schaefer, Simon Holmstrom, Mathew Barzal, and David Rittich. Limited representation may be advantageous because teams with many Olympians risk added fatigue from extra games and travel. The three-week Olympic hiatus functions like a training camp, allowing injured or sore players to recover and coaching staff to address improvements. A well-rested roster, including a refreshed Ilya Sorokin, could give the Islanders a competitive post-break advantage in a compacted, demanding season.
Read at Eyes On Isles
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