Islanders Choose Not to Qualify Gatcomb, Shabanov, and Boqvist, Future Uncertain

The New York Islanders have opted not to extend qualifying offers to any of their three NHL-level restricted free agents, including Marc Gatcomb, Max Shabanov, and Adam Boqvist, ahead of Monday’s deadline. This decision suggests that the likelihood of any of these players returning to the team is slim.

While an industry source indicated to The Post that there is still a possibility for Gatcomb to be re-signed as an unrestricted free agent, the absence of a qualifying offer signals that he may not be part of the Islanders’ future plans. General manager Mathieu Darche confirmed over the weekend that Boqvist would not receive a qualifying offer, a choice that aligns with his struggles to secure a consistent spot in the lineup last season.

The decision to part ways with Shabanov, who joined the Islanders from Russia last summer, comes as little surprise, given his frequent status as a healthy scratch throughout the previous season. In contrast, Gatcomb’s situation is more complex; he played a significant role on the fourth line and proved to be a valuable asset during his time on the ice.

Gatcomb, who entered the NHL as an undrafted free agent, carved out a niche for himself with the Islanders two seasons ago, earning a regular spot through his physical and aggressive playing style.

On a more positive note for the Islanders, they did qualify minor league players Alex Jefferies, Joey Larson, and Henrik Tikkanen, who will now become restricted free agents. However, among their AHL prospects, Matthew Maggio, Eetu Liukas, Tristan Lennox, and Ruslan Iskhakov were not extended qualifying offers, marking a significant shift in the team’s approach to its player development strategy.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.