August Mailbag Part Two: Ritchie’s Arrival & Pageau’s Future, Holmstrom’s Potential

The dead of summer is slowly trickling away. Here in New York, the recent stretch from the Yankees and Mets have not exactly helped the summer float away for those interested.

As for me, and where I’ve been these last two weeks? Grand Jury Duty. Wholly unexpected and unplanned, obviously, and it left the mailbag half finished.

There’s been some headlines missed, but overall, lots of quiet has settled in. This morning, Hudson Fasching landed with the Columbus Blue Jackets on a one-year, two-way contract. Fasching, 30, played 43 games last year and posted just four points.

While no longer having a place here, he joins Columbus, where he possesses a chance at making their opening-night roster.

He played 137 NHL games across the last three seasons with New York, totalling 16 goals and 37 points. He’s a great person and a great addition to Columbus.

As for the Islanders, General Manager Mathieu Darche went on the record with Jeff Marek and stated he won’t be adding to his roster ahead of October, and does not anticipate any PTOs, either. Perhaps most interestingly, Darche stated he would be open to dealing away players if Calum Ritchie forces his hand. More on that later.

Let’s get back to your questions and finish off this mailbag.

MULTIPLE ENTRIES: What is the plan for Jean-Gabriel Pageau? How does Calum Ritchie affect the equation? Will this be settled in training camp?

The biggest question entering training camp next month will be the status of Calum Ritchie. Ritchie, 20, will be as close to NHL-ready as a prospect can be this September.

The biggest issue will be the roster. Currently, the public plan is for Mathew Barzal to return to center. Behind him, Bo Horvat, Pageau, Casey Cizikas, and Kyle MacLean all check in above Ritchie, at least for now.

Cizikas played significantly better hockey down the stretch after returning to the middle of the ice, and spoke about how he plays more confidently there. MacLean struggled for portions of last season, but did seem to turn a corner over the final couple of months of the season.

Ritchie wouldn’t fit on the fourth line, so he’s gunning for a third-line role off the rip. It’s not out of his wheelhouse, and he could excel. However, Darche issued the challenge publicly. If he’s an undeniable, can’t-miss NHLer, Darche will make a trade.

That trade all but certainly would be to move out the pending free-agent Pageau. Pageau, 32, has been an excellent Islander throughout his tenure and a leader in the dressing room. However, the Islanders are simply unlikely to extend him with the current center configuration at hand, especially not with Danny Nelson, Luca Romano, and Kamil Bednarik all looking to be future NHLers.

The plan for Pageau will be a trade, barring major injuries to Horvat or Barzal. If the Islanders retain 50% of his contract as expected, they can expect to receive, at minimum, a first-round pick in the loaded 2026 Draft. Whether that happens in late September or early March, that much is up to Ritchie and his development.

SalluvstheIslanders: Do you believe Simon Holmstrom can take the next step and become a first-line winger?

This is another burning question for the Islanders entering the 2025-26 season. Simon Holmstrom signed a two-year contract this summer after posting career highs across the board.

The 24-year-old scored 20 goals and 45 points across 75 games last year with the Islanders. That included an early-season stretch where he posted just two assists across his first 10 games of the season. He had a couple of other lulls, but took massive steps forward.

He has all the tools to become a top-line player in this league. Furthermore, he possesses a lethal shot that his teammates beg him to use more often. He’s the best defensive forward on the roster, and he can make silky passes. It’s all there for Holmstrom.

If he finds one more level of consistency, something Holmstrom’s improved each year, there’s no reason not to expect 25+ goals and 55+ points this upcoming season. Another big step forward should be in the cards.

For the sake of comparison, look across to Manhattan. Alexis Lafreniere, a former first-overall pick, posted 17 goals and 45 points over 82 games. He’s heralded as a bona fide top-six forward and received a massive contract extension. Draft position plays a role, and Lafreniere is one year younger, but the point is clear.