Does the NHL, or another league for that matter, rig their lotteries for sure groups to finish up with the primary decide? Most likely not.
However, the New York Islanders actually ended up with a stable deal out of this yr’s lottery, only a few quick days after their state’s governor despatched a letter to Gary Bettman criticizing him for deciding to remove the Islanders’ 2026 All-Star Sport in favor of a 4 Nations-style occasion. It warrants a little bit suspicion.
Think about in case your buddy was mad at you for canceling plans with them, after which by some means they acquired a model new sports activities automotive within the sweepstakes that you management. Individuals would have a look at you with real suspicion.
However, all that apart, what prospect will New York go together with for the primary decide on June 27? There isn’t a transparent primary selection, however listed below are the three finest prospects on this yr’s NHL draft class who may change into Islanders.
2025 NHL Draft Prospects: Who’s Going No. 1?
James Hagens, C
Hagens, at the moment the middle at Boston School, was seen as a consensus first-overall prospect for a lot of the season.
He had 11 targets in 37 video games performed final season at BC and was named to the Hockey East convention All-Rookie Staff. As well as, he additionally had a outstanding function in Staff USA’s World Juniors run. Scouts see him as a surefire first-line heart with a powerful defensive sport.
However, many mock drafts now produce other prospects at that number-one decide spot. So, what’s modified for Hagens?
Scouts could view him as nonetheless a piece in progress. Many imagine he’ll want an additional yr at BC to develop to the NHL degree. Would a group just like the Islanders need somebody on the one spot who could be a direct group member?
An necessary factor to contemplate in whether or not New York goes with Hagens is that he’s a hometown child, having grown up as an Islanders fan.
However he’s by some means change into a polarizing prospect, so perhaps the Island connection gained’t matter to them.
Michael Misa, C
Misa’s one other highly-rated heart prospect. He’s at the moment the captain of the Saginaw Spirit within the Ontario Hockey League.
He began within the OHL when he was simply 15. Since then, he’s damaged data set by Connor McDavid and John Tavares, the latter of whom he’s been steadily in comparison with. This previous season, Misa posted a jaw-dropping statline of 62 targets and 72 assists in 65 video games performed.
In ESPN’s most up-to-date draft breakdown, they mentioned Misa “profiles as a foundational piece round which to construct a Stanley Cup contender.”
That’s an excellent factor to learn for a New York Islanders fan base that hasn’t seen their group win the Stanley Cup since 1983.
In contrast to Hagens, Misa may enter the NHL proper now and be a distinction maker. He’ll in all probability not be on the point-per-game tempo he had within the OHL, however he’ll get there finally.
Matthew Schaefer, D
In 17 video games performed final yr with the OHL’s Erie Otters, Schaefer had seven targets and 15 assists. Moreover, Schaefer had a +21 plus minus in these video games.
Schaefer’s ranked first or second in virtually the entire outstanding NHL mock drafts.
His sport has been in comparison with different extremely gifted offensive defensemen like Cale Makar or Quinn Hughes.
NHL’s Director of Central Scouting mentioned Schaefer is “the perfect out there prospect at his place and the outcomes he achieves along with his mixture of velocity, expertise and measurement give him the sting for the No. 1 spot.”
For a group just like the Islanders who want defensive depth, Schaefer would be the precedence over one of many earlier forwards.
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