Islanders GM Mathieu Darche speaks at a press conference at UBS Arena on Nov. 22, 2025. Robert Sabo for the NY Post

It’s too early in the season to know anything definite about the trade deadline, but the Islanders are on course to be one of the NHL’s most fascinating teams as the rumor mill heats up.

Developments over the past week — namely Alexander Romanov going down with a right shoulder injury that will keep him out for the regular season, at least — only add to a dynamic in which every turn of events is pushing general manager Mathieu Darche in a different direction.

Right now, you can see four huge factors that need to play into the Islanders’ deadline approach, and they don’t add up to a cohesive picture of what Darche should pursue.

1. The Islanders’ record, which at 13-9

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