In the last 18 months, the Islanders prospect pool went from one of the worst to one of the best in the NHL. the 2024 and 2025 Drafts (and a little lottery luck), helped the Islanders prospect pool progress to the point it is at. The Islanders future is very bright, and this pool goes deeper than it ever has before. As the 2025-26 season gets underway, here is my top 15 prospects in the prospect pool.
1: D Matthew Schaefer – New York Islanders
How Acquired: 2025 Draft (1st Overall)
The Islanders won the draft lottery for the first time since 2009, and it was a great year for that to happen. Schaefer didn’t play much hockey last year, but he still separated himself from his peers and was without a doubt the best player in the class. He registered 22 points in 17 games he played for Erie in the OHL last season, a combination of Mono, then breaking his collarbone at the World Juniors playing for Team Canada, ended his season prematurely. On the ice, Schaefer is a dynamic two-way defenseman. He has fantastic skating ability that he uses to drive play into the offensive zone. He consistently finds passing lanes and is jumping up into the rush. Defensively he is very sound with good feet and a great stick in passing lanes, in addition also is a fantastic backchecker.. All around, Schaefer is the type of prospect that could anchor a blue line, and captain a team, for years to come, and the Islanders got a fantastic player here. Schaefer is dynamic in every sense of the word, and he will be tested this fall, assuming he makes the NHL roster out of training camp.
Shades of: Stars D Miro Heiskanen
2: LW Cole Eiserman – Boston University (NCAA)
How Acquired: 2024 Draft (20th Overall)
Eiserman in his draft year entered the season as the consensus 2nd overall prospect, behind Macklin Celebrini. Throughout the season Eiserman fell in rankings mainly due to defensive concerns and also his skating ability was labeled as a concern. Going into the draft he was expected to be picked in the top 10, with 12th being the latest he would have been expected to fall. The Islanders managed to draft him at 20th overall, after trading back with the Blackhawks. The Islanders got a top 5 talent at that spot, and it has looked like a great pick since it was made. Eiserman played for Boston University last season and had 25 goals and 36 points in 39 games as a freshman. Eiserman has always been an elite goal scorer, breaking Cole Caufield’s record for the most goals in the United States National Team Development Program, and that ability has translated to the college level. After his first year in college hockey, there have been major developments in every aspect of his game that many had concerns with. His two-way game showed improvements, though not elite, showed improvement. His skating also improved, and he also showed that he isn’t a one dimensional player, getting in on the forecheck and being a constant presence on the ice for the Terriers.
Shades of: Canadiens F Cole Caufield
3: LW Victor Eklund – Djurgardens IF (SHL)
The Islanders selected Eklund using one of the first round picks they acquired in the Noah Dobson trade, and they struck gold with both picks, starting with Eklund. Eklund was a top 10 player in the 2025 draft class in my opinion, and the Islanders got him halfway through the first round. Eklund is an excellent two-way player. Offensively, he is an above average skater with a great shot, and is set to play a major role for Djurgarden in the SHL after helping them get promoted from the Allsvenskan. Defensively Eklund also plays a very sound and responsible game. Eklund has a seemingly endless motor and has a very high compete level, getting in on the forecheck and playing a physical and skill-filled game. In addition to his great shot, Eklund projects to be a plus playmaker as well on the wing, and could be a force on an NHL power-play unit. Eklund will play in the SHL this upcoming year, with a potential move to North America at the end of the season, likely to the AHL. Eklund signed his entry-level deal but it will slide to begin next season.
Shades Of: Hurricanes F Seth Jarvis
4: C Calum Ritchie – New York Islanders
How Acquired: Trade with Colorado (2025)
The Islanders acquired Calum Ritchie alongside a 2026 First Round Pick from the Colorado Avalanche in the blockbuster deadline deal that sent longtime Islander Brock Nelson to Colorado. Ritchie was a first round selection by the Avalanche in the 2023 NHL draft, and has since played for the Oshawa Generals in the OHL, as well as his 7-game tryout with Colorado last season, ironically his only career NHL goal to this point is against the New York Islanders. Ritchie is a fantastic playmaking two-way center who has a very high floor. Ritchie could settle into a 3rd line center role by the end of this season, but could progress into a 50-60 point second line center in his prime. Though Ritchie isn’t a premier finisher like Cole Eiserman, he still has a solid shot and can definitely find the back of the net. The big adjustment to the NHL for him will come defensively, he was always raved about as a great defensive forward in the OHL, but for any player, the defensive transition to the NHL is always difficult, especially for a center. GM Mathieu Darche said that if Calum Ritchie has a good training camp, he will find a way to make room for him, rather than sending him to the American Hockey League in Bridgeport, and he is having a very good camp, it will be interesting to see if he ends up cracking the big club.
Shades of: Blue Jackets C Sean Monahan
5: D Kashawn Aitcheson – Barrie Colts (OHL)
How Acquired: 2025 Draft (17th Overall)
With the second of the draft picks acquired in the Noah Dobson trade with Montreal, the Islanders use this one to select Kashawn Aitcheson who plays for the Barrie Colts in the OHL. Aitcheson, like Eklund, was consistently ranked a lot higher than he was drafted, as he was expected to be selected around the early teens, so him falling to the Islanders wasn’t a complete shock, but it was amazing that the Islanders managed to come away with 3 elite prospects in the first round. Aitcheson is a good defensive defenseman with solid skating ability, and a good stick. Not only that, he also is the hardest hitter in the draft, the amount of physicality he plays with even in the OHL is unprecedented, laying out open ice hits like it’s absolutely nothing. To boot, he also can chip in offensively, putting up a 26 goal, 59 point season with Barrie last season. Even if Aitcheson is a middle or bottom pair defenseman in the NHL, he will be a physical presence that teams hate playing against, but he’ll also be taking thunderous slap shots from the point, likely on a 2nd power play unit in the future.
Shades of: Ducks D Jacob Trouba
6: F Maxim Shabanov
How Acquired: Unrestricted Free Agency
Shabanov was the most highly touted Russian free agent to come over to the NHL list of this past free agent class, the Islanders seemingly came in late and beat out the Rangers and Flyers for his services, and it marks the 2nd consecutive season where the Islanders have signed such a free agent, after signing Maxim Tsyplakov in 2024. Shabanov is a completely different profile to Tsyplakov, playing a much more skill-filled game and one that could have a huge impact at the NHL level. Shabanov was over a point-per-game in the KHL last season and has a great offensive game. His skating is above average, he has a good shot and he is a great playmaker. The only issue in Shabanov’s game is his size, standing at just 5’8”. Shabanov is probably the highest rated Russian player to come to North America since Kirill Kaprizov, not saying he will be Kaprizov, but he could inject the skill and extra scoring touch that the Islanders need. He is currently slated to get time on the first power play unit, and potentially even get a spot in the top 6.
Shades of: Kings F Andrei Kuzmenko
7: D Isaiah George – Bridgeport Islanders (AHL)
How Acquired: 2022 Draft (98th Overall)
The Islanders drafted George in the 4th Round in the 2022 Draft, and right after he was drafted, it was already known that the Islanders got George as a huge steal. The Islanders acquired this pick alongside Alexander Romanov from Montreal and they are getting very fruitful returns. George is mainly a defensive defenseman with an ability to chip in offensively. George is a very good skater with great edgework and is a great leader at such a young age. Last season George started in the AHL, then was almost immediately thrust into an NHL roster spot due to injuries to the NHL club. George played just about half of the season in the NHL, and he looked pretty solid. Like any 20-year old there is going to be growing pains, but there was a lot to dream on from George in the future. He is likely to be in the AHL for most if not all of this upcoming season, but he without a doubt has an NHL future.
Shades of: Islanders D Adam Pelech
8: C Danny Nelson – Univ. of Notre Dame (NCAA)
How Acquired: 2023 Draft (49th Overall)
Nelson was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2023 draft and was immediately the best prospect in the Islanders prospect pool at the time. Nelson is a solid two-way center who currently plays for the University of Notre Dame. Offensively, Nelson has yet to fully pop at the NCAA level in terms of point totals, while defensively he is great and kills penalties at Notre Dame, and did for team USA at the World Juniors last year. Nelson has good size and has a good amount of skill on the puck, he is very good in the faceoff dot and could jump to the pro ranks after this upcoming season. He likely profiles as a bottom-6 two-way center who can kill penalties and is a guy who could be on the ice late in games when you need to hold a lead.
Shades of: Blue Jackets C Charlie Coyle
9: F Quinn Finley – Univ. of Wisconsin)
How Acquired: 2022 Draft (78th Overall)
Finley slowly rose through the ranks in the prospect world, he had a solid draft year in the USHL before going to the University of Wisconsin. In his freshman year he played just under .5 PPG pace. Last season, Finley’s sophomore season, he had a huge breakout season. Putting up 20 goals and 40 points in 37 games, and was in contention for the Hobey Baker Award for College Hockey’s top player. This award eventually went to Ike Howard, but Finley still put himself into heavy consideration with this breakout season. Finley is a winger who has a good shot, the main defect of his game is that it is a little one-dimensional. His skating ability is about average. He’s heading into their junior year at Wisconsin, and if he is a Hobey Baker contender again, and if other parts of his profile improves, his outlook could look a lot better after this upcoming season.
Shades of: Avalanche F Victor Olofsson
10: C Kamil Bednarik – Boston University (NCAA)
How Acquired: 2024 Draft (61st Overall)
Bednarik is one of my favorite prospects in the Islanders prospect pool. And the reason is because he is the exact type of prospect that Islander fans would make a fan favorite. A hard working bottom-six center who plays a great defensive game, and plays with a high motor and a fantastic compete level. Bednarik posted 20 points in 40 games for Boston University last season and was a great defensive center and got better as the season went on at BU. Playing under head coach Jay Pandolfo and playing with fellow Islander prospect Cole Eiserman, Bednarik progressed significantly throughout the season and is a guy who projects as a 3rd line center who could go up against other teams top lines.
Shades of: Jets F Adam Lowry
11: F Tomas Poletin – Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
How Acquired: 2025 Draft (106th Overall)
Poletin was selected in the 4th round of the draft, and was immediately a pick by Mathieu Darche that was largely praised. Poletin is a guy who plays with speed and skill, and is very active on the forecheck and plays with a high compete level. Winning battles along the boards and creating space. He played 15 games in the Liiga last season, the top Finnish league, where he went pointless in those games, However at the U-20 level he had 20 goals in 25 games, which is more in line for a teenager in his draft year. Though getting time at the top level in Liiga is impressive. So impressive in fact, Poletin was selected by the Kelowna Rockets with the first selection in the CHL Import Draft, he has gotten off to a hot start with Kelowna, with 3 goals and an assist in 2 games in the early going, showing off a very heavy and accurate shot, if he has a strong season in the WHL his outlook could evolve in to that of a top 6 forward or middle-six role, the midseason update for Poletin could be interesting, as he could skyrocket up this list.
Shades of: Capitals F Tom Wilson
12: C Luca Romano – Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
How Acquired: 2025 Draft (74th Overall)
Romano was yet another player that the Islanders selected in the 2025 Draft that was not expected to be available when he was selected. Romano had some buzz to go in the backend of the first round, but ended up falling all the way to the Islanders in the 3rd round. Romano is a fantastic skater and plays a fantastic transition game, and with being drafted by the Islanders, some have said there are many similarities between him and Mathew Barzal, which on the surface there definitely are. Romano is a plus-plus skater, and also is a pretty good playmaker, with a good ability to put the puck in the back of the net as well. Romano got into a preseason game with the Islanders this preseason and he scored in the shootout on a fantastic move to deke out the opposing goaltender. Romano is back in Kitchener this season to continue his development, I am very excited to see how his season goes.
Shades of: Oilers F Adam Henrique
13: F Daniil Prokhorov – Dynamo Moscow (KHL)
How Acquired: 2025 Draft: (42nd Overall)
Prokhorov was drafted by the Islanders in the 2nd round, and after being drafted, told the story of his draft process, telling the Rangers not to pick him, because he knew he was going to the Islanders right after them. Prokhorov is a physical unicorn, standing at 6 ‘6 and playing the wing. He had a solid season in the MHL last year, where he was playing this season was shrouded in mystery until he signed his Entry-Level-Contract. He was selected 69th overall in the CHL Import Draft to the Sarnia Sting, and thats where it was believed he would play until he signed his ELC as well as a contract extension with Dynamo Moscow in the KHL. During the Islanders development camp, he showed off some of his tools that could make him a fan favorite. He doesn’t have game breaking speed but plays with intensity and physicality, as well as getting involved in the forecheck and potentially being a potential contributor on a second power play unit. Prokhorov has just 1 point in 7 games between the KHL, VHL, and MHL, but for him, point totals will not be an indicator of success.
Shades of: Former Islanders F Matt Martin
14: G Dimitri Gamzin – CSKA Moscow (KHL)
How Acquired: 2024 Draft (115th Overall)
Gamzin was a late round pick in 2024 by the Islanders, and he has put up fantastic numbers in the KHL over the last few seasons. He signed an extension with CSKA through the 26-27, which would have him coming to North America ahead of the 27-28 season in his age 25 season. Gamzin is a super athletic goaltender with his mobility and ability to make tough saves on high danger chances being one of his greatest assets. The Islanders will likely hope to put him on the same path as Ilya Sorokin, who was drafted in 2014, and came to the NHL in 2020. Gamzin likely comes to North America after his contract is up, though not guaranteed, Gamzin is on that same path, though it’s really hard to evaluate goaltenders and give comparisons, but the comparison feels obvious with Gamzin.
Shades of: Islanders G Ilya Sorokin
15: G Marcus Gidlof – Leksands IF (SHL)
How Acquired: 2024 Draft (147th Overall)
Gidlof, like Gamzin, was selected in the 2024 Draft and is a very high upside swing, I would even argue its a higher upside play than Gamzin. The main difference is age, with Gamzin being 23 and Gidlof just turning 20. Gidlof has size standing at 6 ‘6, which gives him the ability to cut off shooting lanes just based on his size. Gidlof has a high hockey IQ and is very technically sound. Sometimes he opens up a little bit when moving laterally, and sometimes reaches out for shots too much, opening up shooting lanes. If he can eliminate this and trust his movement a little more he will be very hard to stop on cross ice passing plays. He’s been solid for Leksands to start the season, and is a guy that could evolve into an elite level goaltender, but he’s too far away from that right now for me to rank him above Gamzin.
Shades of: Kings G Darcy Kuemper
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