$21 Million New York Islander Done for the Season After Major Surgery

The New York Islanders are off to a very fun start in 2025/26, and with star rookie Matthew Schaefer making a name for himself, the team have won three straight games as they're back to 3-3-0 on the season.

With a good blend of youth and experience, the ceiling may be much higher for New York this season than people expected coming into the new campaign, but now they've been dealt a major injury blow.

After an up-and-down season ago that saw him spend plenty of time with the AHL's Bridgeport Islanders, hopes were high for 29-year old veteran Pierre Engvall this season, but unfortunately, those hopes have now been dashed.

Before he could play a game in New York this season, the team have announced that Engvall underwent successful ankle surgery, and will now miss the remainder of the 2025/26 regular season as a result.

Last year, Engvall posted 8 goals and 15 points in 62 games with the Islanders, but in 2025/26, they've clearly set up a solid forward group without him, as he was unable to get into a game before his regular season campaign officially came to an end.

After a solid start to his career in Toronto, Engvall signed a seven-year, $21 million deal with the Islanders, and while there's still time for him to turn things around, it's safe to say that after his play a year ago and now the injury, the Islanders may be regretting handing him this deal.