Mar 24, 2026; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Islanders right wing Simon Holmstrom (92) skates with the puck against Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Wyatt Kaiser (44) during the first period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
ONLY IN AMNEWYORK
ELMONT, NY — Simon Holmstrom finds himself in unfamiliar territory with the New York Islanders’ season on the line.
More often than not a third-line right-winger this season, the 24-year-old has been promoted to the first line by new head coach Pete DeBoer, where he will line up alongside Bo Horvat and captain Anders Lee.
“I’m not trying to put too much thought into it,” Holmstrom told amNewYork. “I just want to keep playing the same way I have been. I’m just happy to play with Bo and Lee now and try to make the best of it.”
Holmstrom has been one of the Islanders’ more consistent forwards this season after a slow statistical start. He entered Thursday night’s clash with the Toronto Maple Leafs at UBS Arena one goal shy of a second-straight 20-goal season. He has scored 15 of those over his last 46 games after scoring just four times in his first 30.
Despite the lack of production, former head coach Patrick Roy maintained that the young forward was doing all the right things, especially because he has developed into one of the Islanders’ most important penalty killers.
But there is some vindication in overcoming that slow offensive start, to now being placed on the top line with four games to go in hopes of snapping a four-game losing streak and getting back into a playoff spot.
“Yeah [there is some vindication],” Holmstrom said. “I don’t think I played badly or anything at the start. Just a few things happened there at the start with different roles, and I thought I did a good job of handling that. I think the last 30, 40 games have been pretty good for me. I think I’ve been growing into the game more and more, and I’m playing more like I want to. And I know I have even more to give and more to show out there.”
Holmstrom’s promotion, facilitated by DeBoer, is based on the advice of the existing coaching staff.
“We had a lot of discussion. I’ll be honest with you, I’m relying a lot on our staff who have watched these guys all year for early combinations,” DeBoer, who was first contacted by the Islanders on Saturday and hired the next day, said. “I don’t know the group well enough to give a strong opinion on who should play with who. We also look at analytics. But Holmstrom has had a really good year. He’s a young guy, almost 20 goals. He deserves to play up in the lineup based on what he’s done so far.”
While he has played with Lee extensively on the third line at times, this will be the first time this season that Holmstrom plays alongside Horvat. The last three days of practice have been vital in building a rapport on the fly.
“I think our games fit pretty good with each other,” Holmstrom said. “He’s got a really good shot, he’s a great goal scorer, he’s strong with the puck, and he’s a good skater. I think I can contribute with some playmaking and create some space for him as well out there. We have Lee in front, who is always around the net, and I think it’ll be a good line.”
When asked if he had to change anything about his style of play next to Horvat, Holmstrom said, “Not at all.”
“I’m up there for a reason. If I played a different way, I don’t think I’d be up here, if that makes sense. Just keep playing my way.
For more on Simon Holmstrom and the Islanders, visit AMNY.com
