The Islanders have had an interesting season on the prospect pool front. In 2024 they made their first selection in the first round since 2019, snagging Cole Eiserman. In the 2nd round they drafted Kamil Bednarik and Jesse Pulkkinen, they also selected top goaltending prospects Dimitri Gamzin and Marcus Gidlof. Pretty solid draft all things considered. At the trade deadline they acquired Calum Ritchie from the Avalanche in the deal that sent Brock Nelson to Colorado. And in May, they won the draft lottery after having 3.5% odds. Landing them the top overall selection. The Islanders have 3 picks in the first 3 rounds, here’s who I think they will select with those picks.
#1: D Matthew Schaefer – Erie (OHL)
The Islanders improbably won the draft lottery, their 3.5% odds helped them cash in on the first overall selection. And I believe they will select defenseman Matthew Schaefer. Schaefer only played 17 games for the Otters last season. registering 7 goals and 15 assists in those games. He returned for the World Juniors Tournament, and was the best player for Team Canada before skating into the goalpost and breaking his collarbone. Schaefer wouldn’t play for the rest of the season, but it didn’t matter. He had done enough to separate himself from the pack. Even when players like Michael Misa put up 60 goals and 130 points, Schaefer separated himself as the clear number one. Schaefer is a fantastic all around defenseman with elite skating and edge work, and played on the power play and penalty kill last season. Schaefer would add a top tier defender to the Islanders prospect pool at a spot where they definitely need it. And considering Schaefer’s comparisons are players like Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes, and Miro Heiskanen, the Islanders are going to get a great player in Schaefer. The only question that remains is where he will play next year. Will he stay in the NHL the whole year, will he go back to juniors, maybe go the NCAA route? Nothing’s been decided, but I believe he will stay in the NHL.
#42: RW Cameron Schmidt – Vancouver (WHL)
Cam Schmidt is a player who has gotten some very mixed scouting reports. Now we know what he can do, he scored 40 goals for Vancouver last year and is one of the best skaters in the entire draft. He has a really good game of goalscoring as well as playmaking. Schmidt is one of the most dynamic players in the entire draft, but what’s making him fall isn’t something that’s in his control, and that is his frame. He stands at 5’7 161 points. Something that will definitely drive teams away from him. But it seems that may not deter the Islanders from drafting him. Schmidt was one of the players the Islanders brass met with at the NHL Draft Combine, and it seems they could be interested. Schmidt is a high-risk player, but the reward is just as high. If he hits, you get a top-6 forward capable of scoring 30+ goals yearly. But don’t let the size fool you, Schmidt gets into plenty of scraps and gets involved in extracurriculars after the whistle.
#74: C Theo Stockselius – Djurgårdens (SHL)
Stockselius’ stock rose largely in the second half of the season. He plays on the same team as 2025 Draft eligible players like Anton Frondell, Victor Eklund, as well as Eric Nilsson and Arvid Drott. Not only that, the only players on the team who outscored him on the season were Wilson Bjork (2025), and his younger brother, Viggo Bjork, a top prospect in the 2026 draft. Stockselius put up 51 points in 40 games last season, and showed a very good all around game. His combination of goalscoring and playmaking make him a consistent offensive threat. He has a high motor and the ability to drive his own line. He has great mobility, showing a good ability off the rush and high hockey IQ on both sides of the puck. His main issue that he needs to fix is using his size more. He’s a very skilled player but he doesn’t play with as much physically as you’d hope. He’s 6’3 183 pounds, assuming he puts on a little more weight, you’d hope to see him play with more physicality in the future, but he’s still so young that he has time to develop that.
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