Feb 5, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New York Islanders center Bo Horvat (14) celebrates with teammates after scoring against the New Jersey Devils during the third period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
New York Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche will sit down with head coach Pete DeBoer in the coming days to begin serious discussions about the team’s vacant captaincy.
“Pete will be in in the next couple days,” Darche said. “We’ve discussed it, but we haven’t made a decision. We’ll discuss when he’s back and sit down. There’s no rush to do it now, so we’ll see where it goes.”
An impasse in contract negotiations ultimately led long-time captain and franchise icon Anders Lee to sign with the Utah Mammoth over the summer, leaving the Islanders without a captain for the first time since John Tavares fled for Toronto in 2018. Lee was tied for the longest-tenured captain in franchise history with the legendary Denis Potvin (1979-1987).
Darche and DeBoer will lead the selection process, though the GM added that he will “get the pulse of the team” and also advise with ex-Islanders fourth-liner Matt Martin, who currently serves as a special assistant to Darche.
“When you’re around the team the whole year, you kind of see the leaders,” Darche said. “I think there’s a strong chance we have a captain this year… My way of managing, I talk to the players a lot, so you get some sense. You can have a discussion with your leadership group, and usually someone stands out.”
Star center Bo Horvat is the favorite to wear the captain’s “C” after wearing it with the Vancouver Canucks and quickly establishing himself as a vital leader within the Islanders’ locker room. Winger Kyle Palmieri and defenseman Ryan Pulock are also established veterans who could be in the conversation as well. Brayden Schenn, acquired from the St. Louis Blues at the trade deadline last year, also captained the Western Conference side.
Mathew Barzal, who does not concern himself with potentially wearing a letter on his chest, is another long-time Islander who could have a case made. Reigning Calder Trophy winner Matthew Schaefer, the generational defenseman in the making, will one day own the captaincy, though at 18, there is undoubtedly more seasoning needed before getting to that level.
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