The New York Islanders are staring down a roster crunch this summer, and two veteran forwards have emerged as the most likely candidates to be bought out, according to insider Frank Seravalli. While general manager Mathieu Darche continues to evaluate his group for the 2026-27 campaign, the math on Ondrej Palat and Pierre Engvall isn’t adding up for Long Island.
The NHL’s buyout window is officially open, and Seravalli reported Wednesday that both players could find themselves on the move — not via trade, but through a financial reset that would free up cap space and roster flexibility.
Palat’s Homecoming Never Materialized
Ondrej Palat arrived on Long Island with a narrative straight out of a sports movie. Darche acquired the two-time Stanley Cup champion from New Jersey, hoping a return to the Islanders — where Palat won his titles — would reignite his game. Instead, the 35-year-old winger fizzled.
“Islanders GM Mathieu Darche took a small swing, bailing New Jersey out of Palat’s contract in the hope that a reunion with the Stanley Cup winner on Long Island would rejuvenate his game,” Seravalli wrote. “Palat scored in his first game as an Islander, but not again in his 28 games to close out the season.”
That was it. One goal in 28 games after the trade. He finished the season with just five goals and 15 points across 80 total games. With one year left on his deal at a $6 million cap hit, buying him out would spread the savings across two seasons — a move Seravalli argued makes practical sense.
“Palat may also be clogging up a roster spot at this point, so moving on and realizing the savings spread over two years makes a lot of sense, too,” the insider added.
Engvall’s Injury Woes Make Him the Clearer Call
Pierre Engvall might be an even more straightforward buyout candidate. The 30-year-old forward didn’t play a single game in 2025-26 due to hip and ankle injuries. In the 2024-25 season, he managed eight goals and 15 points in 62 games, never fully establishing himself as a consistent contributor.
Unlike Palat, Engvall still has four years remaining on his contract at a $3 million annual cap hit. That long-term commitment is problematic for a player yet to carve out a defined role.
“This one seems to make both financial sense and roster sense for the Islanders,” Seravalli explained. “They can present a $4 million savings in real cash to ownership, which is always appreciated, in addition to $2 million in cap savings per year for four years. Their roster won’t be bogged down by a player who is not a clearly defined contributor to success.”
Whether Darche actually pulls the trigger remains to be seen. But with the team looking to reshape its identity for next season, Palat and Engvall stand out as two names most likely to be sacrificed on the buyout altar. The clock is ticking, and the Islanders’ front office has difficult choices ahead.
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