The Islanders have six confirmed or potential centers for 2026-27, but SB Nation says none is a top-half fit for his projected slot, leaving the team short of four ideal choices. Mat Barzal’s injury could open minutes for 21-year-old Cal Ritchie.
The six are Bo Horvat, Mat Barzal, J-G Pageau, Brayden Schenn, Cal Ritchie and Casey Cizikas. The piece calls Horvat a capable but non-superstar No. 1 center; says Pageau can still handle a third-line or specialist role as he approaches 34; and argues Schenn, 35, is no longer a top-six center. Cizikas, also 35, was frequently shifted to wing late last season.
Ritchie, 21, impressed last season before his role diminished, and early reviews of his offseason training were positive. The article says Mathieu Darche re-signed Pageau midseason and acquired Schenn at the trade deadline, with two more seasons at $6.5 million. In the writer’s assessment, those moves effectively pushed longtime captain Anders Lee out for salary-cap reasons. The center weakness is also presented as one factor in management’s willingness to call this a transition year.
