The New York Islanders weigh late-season call-up for Victor Eklund as playoff hopes hang in the balance. Will the rookie spark enough offense to push the Islanders into postseason contention?
Gil Martin breaks down the Islanders’ roster dilemma, spotlighting Eklund’s standout AHL performance and the challenge of not burning a year of his entry-level contract. The conversation features insights on Peter DeBoer’s relationship with top prospect Matthew Schaefer, locker room dynamics, and Bridgeport’s playoff surge. Key topics include the Islanders’ lack of true top six forwards, Eklund’s possible impact, DeBoer’s coaching style, and crucial upcoming matchups—including a high-stakes meeting with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Plus, Gil Martin covers recent AHL stats, OHL and WHL playoff updates, and celebrates Eric Manlow as the Islanders’ birthday of the day.
Can Eklund energize the Islanders down the stretch, or will Bridgeport steal the spotlight with their own postseason run?
All this and more on today’s Locked On Islanders Podcast with Gil Martin.
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10 Comments
Yes put him in-qualifier I wouldn’t go beyond the 9 games. Last 2 games and 7 games for playoffs
Take it from an islanders fan, They will be playing golf by the end of the month. Take my word for it if they quit on Roy, they the millionaires on the club couldn’t care less about deBoer.. if they let the Dallas Stars score 7 goals in one period on them that was there response to Roy hurting there “FEELINGS “You think they were playing hockey the last 4 games.
Maybe the rookie Schaeffer was but not the rest of them plodders… Apartment
You really think their mentality is playoff lined up. ?It was a slimy firing of Roy since he brought them to the dance so the owner is nothing but scum.
I'm liking our chances of getting a top 13 pick in this summer's 2026 NHL draft. Columbus and Detroit just tied after regulation and, as such, each pick up a point to tie the Islanders. The winner in OT will leap frog the Isles, and then it's just a matter of time as The Caps overtake us as well. Colorado looks like the favorite to win the Cup, so their pick, which we blew on Schenn, will be at #32. It still would have been nice to have that pick for possible usage in a package to move up in the draft. If i'm not mistaken, we're currently at #14 before the chance to move up in the drawing. If we could end the season, losing our last four games, we might be able to drop down to #10.
Don't burn a year on Eklund's ELC. Not worth it, as this team has run out of gas. Save him for next season.
bad news out of town as sens, flyers w and in the dreaded 3 pt. loser game wings give up a g with 16 seconds and lose in s o to bj's so isles lose more ground by not playing. so ISLES ARE NOT making playoffs as draft position just improved.
so sit all the old guys down for last 4 games. they need a nice off-season of country club rest after a tuff season of nothing and give 49, eiseman, eklund, 36, and a few ahl'ers some playing time as isles MISS PLAYOFFS for the second straight season.
so which one would you take–
A. a second straight playoff miss that was expected with subtractions for the future.
or
B. a second straight playoff miss with miscalculated moves to chase ill fated playoff spot that only made isles an older team while doing nothing for future.
i know which one i would take.
and y'all think these country club mfkrs who quit on roy are gonna play for pouty deboer or that pouty can motivate the cc guys to play for him? HAHA y'all been fkn duped. and pouty deboer doesn't have dallas star type of talent to work with on isles.
'OHH st. patty was hard on me and hurt my wittle feewings. i wont play for him anymore blah blah blah,,,' same old b s. pulled the same shit on trotz. quit on trotz after gm. 7 vs. tb. probably cried privately to leader of the c c sr. advisor/gramps louzer once again about their hurt feewings.
that's why a nice cleansing and going forward with hungry youth is needed yet will never happen under current regime
Why not? After tonights outcomes, the lights will be cut off
Looking at the scores tonight, there's probably no reason to throw Eklund in the mix and risk injury. Give him some time to fill out his 165 lb. body.
This team is TOO old!
Shaeefer is Denis Potvin
Now we need a Billy Smith Mike bossy and Bryan Trottier rookies
Anybody not 55 has a lot of resentment for team without hope. Dobson was better thab Bo or Barzal will ever be coming into prime willing to play for Islanders. Nobody will get 70 points as RHD on this team again. So demand exceeds the supply for RHD. Isles turned down offering more money to Panarin. So to have a player at level of Dobson willing to stay or play here is rare. Soucy has 5 Goals with 5 from Deangelo then 4 Pelech with 3 Pol who can shoot 100 MPH? Mayfield along with them on list of most games played for Islanders for Defense in the 600s. Not Chara or Beraed or Reddden or Toews. So they keep or pay wrong players or Tavares leaves for nothing. Keep Shaefer Soucy replace other 4 Defense. Get 1st Line Forward as well heh.