Ritchie pushes Islanders toward tough roster choice in preseason

Calum Ritchie has made the Islanders’ opening-night roster decision more fluid than expected, with the team’s depth and potential injuries playing a bigger role than any single prospect’s play. The 2025 training camp has him in the mix for a spot on the NHL roster, though a path to the jump may depend on health around him as much as his own performance.

Several Islanders players who would normally anchor the forward group — Anders Lee, Maxim Tsyplakov and Anthony Duclair — are dealing with injuries that could alter the lineup. If those injuries prove more significant than anticipated, Ritchie could force his way onto the roster. "I want to see him play as much as possible [in the preseason] and we’ll go from there," Islanders coach Patrick Roy said before the team traveled to Madison Square Garden to face the Rangers on Thursday. "What he’s doing right now is making our decision so much tougher, and that’s what you want. I don’t think he came here just to make an impression. I think he wants to make the team."

Team officials view Ritchie as a competitive option who could earn a role in the NHL with a strong camp, but the Islanders’ depth has long suggested a likely start in the American Hockey League unless a vacancy opens. The club will continue to evaluate in the coming days as preseason play unfolds ahead of the season opener.

Thursday’s preseason tilt with the Rangers serves as a milestone in that assessment, providing a test against established NHL competition in a high-profile setting at Madison Square Garden. The Islanders intend to use the week to balance development with the goal of fielding a competitive lineup as injuries and readiness are weighed.

Ultimately, Ritchie’s push reflects the broader roster calculus for a team navigating the early stretch of a season. A healthy forward group would push him toward the AHL to begin the year, while a vacancy created by injury could accelerate his path to the NHL. The organization’s notes from camp indicate the evaluation will continue through the preseason, with decisions expected as the opening-night date approaches.