Remarkable Turnaround For New York Islanders In 2025
It has been a remarkable turnaround for the Islanders, whose future is looking brighter by the day. The remarkable Islanders have, as of yesterday, the top-ranked prospect pool in the National Hockey League, according to The Athletic.
That same publication ranked the Islanders’ prospect pool dead last just two years ago. This remarkable turnaround validates the strategy of the new General Manager Mathieu Darche. Islanders fans have been waiting for a return to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 1984. In this article, we will review the five prospects the Islanders have in the top 100. How long do you think it will take for the prospects to arrive at UBS?
The Remarkable Matthew Schaefer Is the Top Prospect
Matthew Schaefer is an elite two-way defenseman for the Islanders. He is the top-rated prospect in the NHL. The Islanders drafted him with the top pick in the NHL Draft. The fact that the Islanders had the top pick in the NHL draft is remarkable. Schaefer could play a few games for the Islanders this coming season. He wants to play in the NHL, but he is only 17 years old.
Number 17 Victor Eklund
Victor Eklund is an 18-year-old forward whom the Islanders just drafted. He was picked by the Islanders with the 16th pick in the NHL Draft. He is a speedster with a high motor. He is exactly the type of creative forward the Islanders need. He will help the remarkable Islanders execute their turnaround, though he will not play in the NHL this season. He is playing in Sweden. His brother plays for the San Jose Sharks.
Number 31 Calum Ritchie
Calum Ritchie was acquired by the Islanders when they traded Brock Nelson to the Colorado Avalanche near the trade deadline last season. Ritchie played 8 games for Colorado last season and could play for the Islanders this season. He is 20 years old and is just about ready to be a professional. Just a few weeks ago, Colorado signed Nelson to a three-year contract extension. Nelson was a beloved Islander and is an established goal scorer, but Ritchie has a brighter future and could play for the Islanders this season.
Number 32 Cole Eiserman
Cole Eiserman is somebody the Islanders drafted last year and previously was the team’s top-ranked prospect. It was good that the Islanders kept him after trading away their first-round draft picks four years in a row. Eiserman plays in college for Boston University and is an 18-year-old sharpshooting forward. He is a creative offensive player who could make an impact for the Islanders this year, though he will almost certainly play for Boston University again. The top-ranked Terriers are an attractive option for the talented Eiserman.
Number 34Â Kashawn Aitcheson
Kashawn Aitcheson is a hard-hitting 18-year-old defenseman who was picked by the Islanders with the 17th pick of the NHL Draft. The Islanders received that pick and the 16th pick as part of the haul for trading Defenseman Noah Dobson to the Montreal Canadiens. He is probably a couple of seasons away from playing in the NHL, but there is no doubt he will be a tough defenseman for the Islanders for the next couple of decades. This season, he will likely play with the Barrie Colts.
Conclusion
This is a remarkable turnaround for the Islanders. They have five prospects ranked in the top 34. They also have good NHL prospects Danny Nelson and Isaiah George. George played games for the Islanders last season. In addition, the Islanders have two picks in the first round of the NHL Draft next year. The draft next year is thought to be much deeper than this year’s. So things are looking up for the remarkable Islanders and Darche.
