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New York Islanders News

The Islanders acquired Palat, a 2026 third-round draft pick, and a 2027 sixth-round draft pick in exchange for forward Maxim Tsyplakov.

Palat was rumoured to be on the move on Tuesday after he was a late scratch due to "roster-related" reasons. A one-time 20-goal scorer, Palat's offensive production has seen a steep decline this season, with just four goals and six assists to show for his efforts through 51 games. The Devils reportedly did not retain any salary in the deal, so the Islanders are on the hook for Palat's full $6-million cap-hit through the end of the 2026-27 season.

Ondrej Palat
Vanecek will start in Florida on Tuesday.

Vanecek will get the nod between the pipes when he and the Mammoth travel to Florida to take on his former team on Tuesday. The 30-year-old Vanecek has lost an absurd ten straight starts, with his last win coming all the way back on October 26th. Vanecek just narrowly missed getting back in the win column in his last start, stopping 33 of the 36 shots he faced in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Blue Jackets. The Mammoth enter action on Tuesday at +125 on the money line.

Vitek Vanecek
George has been reassigned to Bridgeport (AHL).

George has played the last two games for New York, his only two NHL contests this season, including scoring an assist in yesterday's 4-0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. That said, the 21-year-old defenseman will return to Bridgeport (AHL), where he has 10 points (2G / 8A) in 24 games.

Isaiah George
Sorokin will start in Philadelphia on Monday.

Sorokin allowed three goals on 24 shots (.875 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-1 loss to the Seattle Kraken, and hopes to return to his winning ways when he tends the twine on Monday against the Philadelphia Flyers. Before the loss, the 30-year-old Sorokin was sporting a stellar 2.12 GAA and .929 SV% in his previous 22 games (14-7-1). The Islanders enter Monday's contest as +105 road underdogs against a Flyers team that is coming off an impressive 7-3 win over the league-leading Colorado Avalanche.

Ilya Sorokin
Horvat (lower-body) is expected to play vs. Buffalo on Saturday.

Horvat has not played since suffering a lower-body injury on January 1st, but was a full participant at practice on Friday, and will likely play on Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres. The 30-year-old forward has 33 points (21G / 12A) in 36 games this season.

Bo Horvat
Pulock missed practice on Friday with an upper-body injury and is considered day-to-day.

Pulock has played every game this season, but could be at risk of missing his first, on Saturday afternoon against the Buffalo Sabres. The 31-year-old defenseman has 21 points (2G / 19A) and is averaging 21:09 time-on-ice through 50 games this season.

Ryan Pulock
Horvat (lower-body) was a full participant in practice on Friday.

Horvat has not played since suffering a lower-body injury on January 1st, but is nearing a return after being a full participant at practice on Friday. The 30-year-old forward has also been travelling with the team on their most recent road trip, so his return is likely imminent. He has 33 points (21G / 12A) in 36 games this season.

Bo Horvat
Sorokin will start in Seattle on Wednesday.

Sorokin has a league-leading five shutouts, including two in his last five games (4-1-0), and will return to the crease on Wednesday. Islanders fans were concerned about Sorokin to start the 2025-26 season after posting an ugly 3.74 GAA and .868 SV% in his first seven games (2-4-1), but he has been among the NHL's best goalies since, going 14-7-1 with a dazzling 2.11 GAA and .929 SV%. The Islanders enter Wednesday's contest with even -105 odds on the road against a Seattle Kraken team on a four-game losing streak (0-3-1).

Ilya Sorokin