Islanders sign Daylan Kuefler to two-year contract extension

The New York Islanders announced on Thursday that they have signed forward Daylan Kuefler to a two-year, two-way contract extension for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons.

Kuefler, a 24-year-old winger hailing from Red Deer, Alberta, spent the entirety of last season as a member of New York’s AHL affiliate Bridgeport Islanders, for which he scored 10 goals and dished out 15 assists for a total of 25 points in 67 regular season games played.

Bridgeport was knocked out of the Calder Cup Playoffs early, so Kuefler appeared in just two playoff games in which he was held without a point.

The Islanders selected Kuefler with the No. 174 overall pick in the sixth round of the 2022 NHL Draft, and he turned pro during the 2023-24 campaign after completing a decorated major-junior career as a member of the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL. Across his initial two campaigns in the AHL, Kuefler posted a combined 9 points in 38 games.

This move is the second that Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche has made this summer as he looks to ensure the team’s organizational depth. New York previously signed forward Marshall Warren to a two-way contract, securing another one of Bridgeport’s depth contributors as the AHL squad prepares to move and re-brand as the Hamilton Hammers.

For Darche, this offseason is an opportunity to usher in a new era, as captain Anders Lee appears headed out the door via unrestricted free agency and his stable of young, talented prospects starts to push for full-time roles.

New York was in the Stanley Cup Playoff field for most of this year, but fell out down the stretch. The Islanders finished 43-34-5 in a year that was highlighted by the emergence of 2025 No. 1 overall pick and Calder Trophy winner Matthew Schaefer as one of the very best defensemen in the NHL.