New York Islanders Had a Great 2025 NHL Draft
It was a great draft for the New York Islanders. It restored hope to a moribund franchise that just 24 months ago was ranked last in prospect quality. The previous General Manager, Lou Lamoriello, traded away four consecutive first-round picks.
That was not so in the 2025 National Hockey League Draft. The Islanders had three of the first 17 picks. The Islanders also have two picks in the 2026 National Hockey League Draft, which is thought to be much deeper. Do you believe that future National Hockey League prospects, acquired via the draft, will pan out?
Review Of Islanders 2025 Draft Picks
The Islanders had the first pick of the just-completed National Hockey League Draft. With that pick, they, unsurprisingly, selected Defenseman Matthew Schaffer. He is only 17 years old, but his talent is off the charts. The Islanders also traded Defenseman Noah Dobson to the Montreal Canadiens for picks 16 and 17, and Forward Emile Heineman. With those two picks, the Islanders selected Forward Victor Eklund and Defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson. These three picks were universally heralded as great picks.
In the later rounds, the Islanders also made good picks, further rounding out their prospect pool. In particular, Daniil Prokhorov, a right winger who plays in St. Petersburg, gives the Islanders a high-end, offensive power forward. Meanwhile, Luca Romano brings a bit more speed and skill to the table at forward. All these improvements were needed. And, it does not matter how long it takes these prospects to reach the National Hockey League.
The Future On Long Island Is Bright; This Is a Contrast With the Past
The future is bright for the New York Islanders, and this is in stark contrast with the immediate past. A year ago, the team’s prospect list was ranked dead last in the National Hockey League by The Hockey News. Last season, the Islanders’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Bridgeport Islanders, won only four home games. They have a new coach and some new players.
Not only do the Islanders have the great prospects they acquired in the 2025 National Hockey League draft, but those prospects are added to the already outstanding Cole Eiserman, along with Callum Ritchie, whom they acquired in the package they got for Brock Nelson. Both are highly regarded, and Ritchie is not that far away.
He played five games in the National Hockey League last season with the Colorado Avalanche. As part of the Nelson trade, the Islanders also acquired the Colorado Avalanche’s first-round draft pick in 2026. So, the Islanders have two first-round draft picks in 2026.
New Islanders General Manager Matteau Darche knows what he is doing. Noah Dobson demanded $11 million a year and signed an eight-year $93 million contract with the Montreal Canadiens. The inconsistent defenseman had 70 points two seasons ago but slumped badly in the season that just ended and had several shocking defensive lapses. His contract demands were exorbitant for the cap-encumbered Islanders. So, it was good that Darsche managed to trade him.
Conclusion
Things are turning around for the Islanders, and there is an optimism on Long Island that has not been present in several years. Not only did the Islanders have an excellent 2025 draft. But, they have other draft picks and prospects. The future is bright for the Islanders. They will be a Stanley Cup contender in about five years. They have not played in the Stanley Cup since 1984.
