Jefferies has spent the last two full seasons in Bridgeport (AHL) and will remain in New York's organization after signing a one-year, two-way contract with the Islanders. The 24-year-old was New York's 2020 4th-round pick (121st overall) and picked up nine goals, 29 points and 46 PIMs in 60 games with Bridgeport last season.
Luff scored a goal during a five-game stint with the St. Louis Blues last season, but has predominantly played in the AHL for the past half-decade. The undrafted 29-year-old forward scored 52 points (18G / 34A) last season in 62 AHL games.
After playing 96 games combined with the Tampa Bay Lightning in the previous two seasons, Chaffee was limited to only 11 contests in 2025-26. The 28-year-old will hope for more NHL action in 2026-27 after signing a one-year contract with the New York Islanders.
Kessel has been a reliable depth defenseman for the St. Louis Blues the past three seasons, playing 97 combined games, but will have a change of scenery in 2026-27, signing a one-year contract with the New York Islanders. The 26-year-old defenseman scored three points (2G / 1A) in 25 games with the Blues last season.
Vancek's hopes of becoming a starting goalie are likely behind him after promising stints with the Washington Capitals and New Jersey Devils, but he has settled into a serviceable backup role, which should continue with his new team, the New York Islanders. The 30-year-old Czech goalie posted a 2.93 GAA and .883 SV% last season in 22 games with the Utah Mammoth (5-13-3).
Last offseason, the Toronto Maple Leafs acquired Matias Maccelli with the hopes that he could provide supplementary offence and playmaking after the departure of Mitch Marner. The 25-year-old Finnish forward had a decent season with the Maple Leafs, scoring 39 points (14G / 25A) in 71 games, but the team opted not to give the restricted free agent a qualifying offer, sending him to free agency and ultimately signing a one-year contract with the New York Islanders.
Healey had just finished his fourth and senior season at Harvard (NCAA) but was trade from Minnesota to the Islanders on Saturday for cash considerations. The 22-year-old defensemen was Minnesota's 2022 4th round pick (121st overall) and had four goals, 12 points and 28 PIMs in 34 games with Harvard last season.
DeAngelo was expected to be the Islanders' power play quarterback in the 2025-26 season, but the emergence of rookie Matthew Schaefer sent him to a lesser role. That said, the 30-year-old DeAngelo managed to impress, earning himself some security with a two-year contract extension worth $9 million. DeAngelo averaged 19:08 time-on-ice and scored 35 points (5G / 30A) in 76 games with the Islanders last season.
