Islanders Draft Recap

The Islanders Selected nine players at the NHL Draft in Los Angeles, lets recap Mathieu Darche’s first draft as the General Manager of the New York Islanders

Round 1, Pick 1: D Matthew Schaefer – Erie (OHL)

The Islanders knew they were drafting Schaefer probably. few days after they won the draft lottery back in May, but they are getting a truly transformational player. Schaefer is a high-end blueliner with the ability to change the direction of the Franchise for years to come. Schaefer projects to be a blueliner that could have the same pedigree as a Quinn Hughes or Miro Heiskanen, something the Islanders will surely take. After he was drafted, the Islanders put a cancer ribbon on the Jersey he put on, as well as his mothers initials, to honor his late mother who passed away, Schaefer was not aware of this at the time, but nonetheless was touched by this and once again reiterated that he’s fortunate to be going to such a high class organization.

Round 1, Pick 16: RW Victor Eklund – Djurgardens IF (Allsvenskan)

With the first pick the Islanders got in the Noah Dobson trade, they were able to draft the falling Victor Eklund. Eklund probably should have went in this draft based on his talent, but he fell likely due to his slightly smaller size. Eklund is a high-floor winger who is defensively responsible with a high compete level. Eklund can score and defend at a high level and is also a good skater. If he hits, he could project to be a Seth Jarvis type player, and the Islanders got an absolute steal at this spot, won’t be the last time we say that for this draft class.

Round 1, Pick 17: D Kashawn Aitcheson – Barrie (OHL)

Aitcheson, like Eklund, was not only drafted with picks acquired in the Dobson deal, but who was also not expected to be available at that spot. Aitcheson is a physically imposing defenseman but also was the Colts leading scorer last year. He projects to be a middle-pair guy with an ability to chip in offensively, and is the type of player nobody wants to play against, laying big hits and getting into the corners to battle for the puck. Aitcheson is going to be a player that the other teams in the Metropolitan division will hate to play against.

Round 2, Pick 42: F Daniil Prohkorov – MHK St. Petersburg (MHL)

The Islanders took a swing here with Prohkorov, the 6-foot-6 Russian giant is a physical winger with a scoring touch, and one who has no issue laying some hits when he needs to. Prohkorov has a high compete compete level, though he needs some work defensively, he has time to develop that. Prohkorov projects as a bottom-six forward who could provide some depth scoring, the Islanders will definitely take a chance there.

Round 3, Pick 74: C Luca Romano – Kitchener (OHL)

Romano probably should’ve went around 20 picks prior to this, but the Isles won’t complain. Romano is a two-way center who can skate like the wind. Romano uses his skating similarly to Mathew Barzal, especially early in his NHL career. Romano will skate around the ice two or three times in possession of the puck to find an open lane if he needs to. Though that isn’t sustainable at the NHL level, Romano projects a third-line center who can contribute in all situations.

Round 4, Pick 105: F Tomas Poletin – Pelicans (Liiga)

Poletin is a forward who makes his living in the corners, winning puck battles in the corners pushes pace with a high compete level. He’s active on the forecheck and uses his ability to dish the puck to teammates for scoring chances. He projects to be a middle-six winger with an ability to chip in offensively for depth scoring. Poletin captained the Czech U18 team and also played for the Czechs in various international tournaments, totalling 20 points in 24 games.

Round 5, Pick 138: D Sam Laurila – Fargo (USHL)

Laurila is a two-way puck moving defenseman who is a good skater, who is very shifty, getting around opposing players and using his passing to generate high danger scoring chances. Laurila had a solid year for the Fargo Force in the USHL, totalling 41 points in 57 games. He’s committed to play for the University of North Dakota next season, alongside Calgary first rounder Cole Reschny, and 2026 top prospect Keaton Verhoeff.

Round 6, Pick 170: G Burke Hood – Vancouver (WHL)

Like the Islanders typically do, they take a swing on a goaltender late in the draft. The Islanders probably have one of, if not the best, goaltender pipeline in the NHL, already sporting Marcus Gidlof and Dimitri Gamzin, now we can add Burke Hood to the list. Hood was one of the best goaltenders in the WHL last season. Putting up a 19-13-6 record with a .910 SV% for the Vancouver Giants. Some scouts say that for a swing this late, Hood could potentially be a future NHLer, which for this late in the draft, is impressive in itself for the Islanders.

Round 7, Pick 202: F Jacob Kvasnicka – USNTDP (USHL)

The Islanders last pick in the draft was Jacob Kvasnicka. Kvasnicka played for the US National development program in the USHL. Kvasnicka plays a great defensive game, attacking angles quickly and always keeps his feet moving. His quick hands allow him to skate past defenders and open up chances in the offensive zone. Kvasnicka played around 0.5 points-per-game last season. He will play for the Penticton Vees next season and is committed to the University of Minnesota the season after.

Mathieu Darche and the Islanders are showing the types of players they want in this year, and future drafts. They want fast, hardworking, all around players that have an ability to play a fast but responsible brand of hockey, and who will give their all on every single shift. Darche knocked his first draft out of the park, and the Islanders have one of the best prospect pools in the NHL. But what matters now is what Darche does next, and it remains to be seen, for now.