Changes to the Islanders’ Coaching Staff

As the Islanders gear up for Peter DeBoer’s first full season as head coach, there’s a notable shift in the coaching lineup.

Ray Bennett, who faced challenges with the team’s power play last season, will not return for the upcoming 2026-27 season. In a turn of events, the Capitals have announced that he will join their coaching staff as an assistant.

According to Ethan Sears from a local newspaper, the decision for Bennett to leave the Islanders was a mutual one. This marks the second significant change since the Islanders’ season ended without a playoff appearance. Earlier this month, AHL head coach Rocky Thompson was also promoted to the NHL staff after a year in Bridgeport.

The Islanders expressed gratitude toward Bennett in a statement, acknowledging his hard work during the past season.

Bennett, with prior experience as an assistant with the Blues and Kings, was brought on last year to support Patrick Roy after leading the Avalanche’s power play. Unfortunately, the Islanders’ power play unit struggled throughout the regular season, finishing third-worst in the NHL at 16.5 percent.

In the last 12 games of the season, the Islanders clung to their playoff hopes but converted only five of 34 power-play opportunities. Quite troublingly, this figure dropped further to just 2-for-18 in the final six games. It’s interesting, perhaps frustrating, to note that this was still an improvement over the previous season’s 12.5 percent.

Interestingly, Matthew Schaefer, who won the Calder Trophy for Rookie of the Year, led the Islanders with eight power-play goals. Bo Horvat contributed seven, yet no other player surpassed five goals. This power play inefficiency will present a significant challenge for Coach DeBoer and the new staff as they prepare for the coming season. With Bennett’s departure, the responsibility will now rest on someone else’s shoulders.