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Islanders Rookie Camp Sets Stage for Isaiah George and Victor Eklund's NHL Push
The Islanders’ rookie camp opens Friday, September 9, 2026, on the UBS Arena ice, setting the stage for a pivotal year in the careers of two young players. For 19‑year‑old Swedish winger Victor Eklund, it is his first full rookie experience with the club; for 22‑year‑old defenseman Isaiah George, it is the last test of his entry‑level contract.
The camp is the first step toward a 23‑man roster for the 2026‑27 season, and the stakes are clear: each player must earn a spot on the opening‑night lineup. The Islanders’ coaching staff and management have been deliberate in their approach, emphasizing long‑term development while recognizing the immediate demands of an NHL roster.
George was selected 98th overall in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft and has appeared in 33 games for the Islanders, all during the 2025‑26 campaign. He is in the final year of a three‑year entry‑level deal, which will make him a restricted free agent next summer. According to the NHL, George is a left‑shot defenseman whose speed and skating fit the Islanders’ system. Coach Pete DeBoer highlighted his mobility, saying, "Your defensemen in that type of system have to be able to move, and [George’s] best assets are his feet and his speed and ability to support the rush and get back on pucks and make breakout plays. So I think it fits with his toolbox." DeBoer added, "I’m excited to work with him. We had him at the end [of last season] there for a couple games, but he’s done it the right way. He came up as a prospect. He paid his dues. He played some games, he went back down again, he didn’t pout about it. And now it looks like he’s knocking on the door to be a full‑time NHLer for a long time."
Eklund, drafted 16th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, made his debut in Game 82 of the 2025‑26 season. The camp will determine whether he can secure a permanent spot or be assigned to the AHL affiliate. He will be evaluated against a roster that includes veterans such as Kyle MacLean, Ondrej Palat, Anthony Duclair, Pierre Engvall and Mitchell Chaffee—players who are not expected to see ice time until the main training camp.
The camp roster features 14 forwards, eight defensemen and three goaltenders. The Islanders have 16 forwards with NHL experience reporting, but only 14 spots are available. General manager Mathieu Darche has stressed a cautious approach to prospects, telling reporters last week, "Those guys need time also. So that’s why you don’t want to rush it because the goal is not for them to play quickly in the NHL, it’s for them to play a long time in the NHL. Some of them might come to camp and show us they belong right away. And if not, hey, maybe it’s halfway."
The coaching staff’s emphasis on skating and defensive responsibility is evident in DeBoer’s comments. The Islanders’ system rewards speed and the ability to support the rush, and both George and Eklund must demonstrate they can contribute immediately while also fitting into the organization’s long‑term plan.
The rookie camp will run through September 12, after which the Islanders will hold a full training camp. The outcome of the camp will set the stage for the 23‑man roster and determine whether George and Eklund will be part of the team’s opening‑night lineup on September 30 against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Islanders’ focus on player development—giving prospects opportunities while maintaining a long‑term perspective—remains a key theme as the organization moves forward.
As the ice warms and the players lace up, the atmosphere at UBS Arena is one of anticipation and purpose. Each skater knows that the minutes on the bench will be hard‑earned, and the coaching staff is ready to reward performance with the chance to play at the highest level. The stage is set, the players are ready, and the Islanders’ future hinges on the results of this critical test.
The camp is the first step toward a 23‑man roster for the 2026‑27 season, and the stakes are clear: each player must earn a spot on the opening‑night lineup. The Islanders’ coaching staff and management have been deliberate in their approach, emphasizing long‑term development while recognizing the immediate demands of an NHL roster.
George was selected 98th overall in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft and has appeared in 33 games for the Islanders, all during the 2025‑26 campaign. He is in the final year of a three‑year entry‑level deal, which will make him a restricted free agent next summer. According to the NHL, George is a left‑shot defenseman whose speed and skating fit the Islanders’ system. Coach Pete DeBoer highlighted his mobility, saying, "Your defensemen in that type of system have to be able to move, and [George’s] best assets are his feet and his speed and ability to support the rush and get back on pucks and make breakout plays. So I think it fits with his toolbox." DeBoer added, "I’m excited to work with him. We had him at the end [of last season] there for a couple games, but he’s done it the right way. He came up as a prospect. He paid his dues. He played some games, he went back down again, he didn’t pout about it. And now it looks like he’s knocking on the door to be a full‑time NHLer for a long time."
Eklund, drafted 16th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, made his debut in Game 82 of the 2025‑26 season. The camp will determine whether he can secure a permanent spot or be assigned to the AHL affiliate. He will be evaluated against a roster that includes veterans such as Kyle MacLean, Ondrej Palat, Anthony Duclair, Pierre Engvall and Mitchell Chaffee—players who are not expected to see ice time until the main training camp.
The camp roster features 14 forwards, eight defensemen and three goaltenders. The Islanders have 16 forwards with NHL experience reporting, but only 14 spots are available. General manager Mathieu Darche has stressed a cautious approach to prospects, telling reporters last week, "Those guys need time also. So that’s why you don’t want to rush it because the goal is not for them to play quickly in the NHL, it’s for them to play a long time in the NHL. Some of them might come to camp and show us they belong right away. And if not, hey, maybe it’s halfway."
The coaching staff’s emphasis on skating and defensive responsibility is evident in DeBoer’s comments. The Islanders’ system rewards speed and the ability to support the rush, and both George and Eklund must demonstrate they can contribute immediately while also fitting into the organization’s long‑term plan.
The rookie camp will run through September 12, after which the Islanders will hold a full training camp. The outcome of the camp will set the stage for the 23‑man roster and determine whether George and Eklund will be part of the team’s opening‑night lineup on September 30 against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Islanders’ focus on player development—giving prospects opportunities while maintaining a long‑term perspective—remains a key theme as the organization moves forward.
As the ice warms and the players lace up, the atmosphere at UBS Arena is one of anticipation and purpose. Each skater knows that the minutes on the bench will be hard‑earned, and the coaching staff is ready to reward performance with the chance to play at the highest level. The stage is set, the players are ready, and the Islanders’ future hinges on the results of this critical test.
