The New York Islanders have an opportunity to throw their roster re-tool into hyperdrive after winning the No. 1 pick at the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery on Monday.
Of course, the young talent whose name will be called on June 27 in Los Angeles comes down to who will be running the team’s front office. The Islanders ousted Lou Lamoriello after seven seasons and are currently searching for a new general manager — or a president of hockey operations and a GM.
That all still remains to be seen.
Unlike in previous years, there is no consensus No. 1 pick that is a no-brainer for the top spot. So ease back on those hopes of a Connor McDavid or a Connor Bedard-like talent falling into the Islanders’ laps.
Still, there are promising prospects at the top of the draft board that can fulfill whichever need new leadership deems the most important.
5 potential No. 1 picks for Islanders at NHL Draft
Matthew Schaefer
- Position: Defenseman
- Team: Erie Otters (OHL)
- Age: 17
- Height: 6-foot-2
- 2024-25 stats: 17 games, 7 goals, 15 assists, 22 points, +21 rating
Schaefer is considered by many to be the top talent available in the class of 2025, but he is coming off surgery to repair a broken clavicle suffered while playing for Canada at the World Junior Championship.
He is a skilled blue liner who can provide the Islanders’ always-struggling power play with another quarterback option alongside Noah Dobson. The two could also join forces as a long-term pairing and a backbone of the organization.
For as good as his offensive game is — he can skate and distribute with the best of them — he is also a mature defender whose strength will allow him to hold his own under pressure.
James Hagens
- Position: Center
- Team: Boston College (NCAA)
- Age: 18
- Height: 5-foot-11
- 2024-25 stats: 37 games, 11 goals, 26 assists, 37 points, +21 rating
Hagens is going to be the sentimental choice for a lot of Islanders fans, considering the 18-year-old forward grew up on Long Island (Hauppauge). But he is also a premier talent for the team to legitimately consider.
This is an immensely quick and agile skater who projects to be a top-tier playmaker at the NHL level. Think of a Mathew Barzal-type talent who can cut on a dime, dart around the offensive zone, and find the open ice to create chances.
Michael Misa
- Position: Center/Left Wing
- Team: Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
- Age: 18
- Height: 6-foot-1
- 2024-25 stats: 65 games, 62 goals, 72 assists, 134 points, +45 rating
While Hagens projects as more of a playmaker, Misa is being looked at as a complete threat. Not only are his skating and puck skills next level, but his goal scoring has stolen the show with 62 tallies in 65 games.
Misa is continuously billed as a high-IQ player who is capable of developing into a dominant two-way forward. While this might cause Islanders fans to wince, he is being compared to John Tavares with better skating ability. Any team in the NHL would take that in a heartbeat.
Porter Martone
- Position: Right Wing
- Team: Brampton Steelheads (OHL)
- Age: 18
- Height: 6-foot-3
- 2024-25 stats: 57 games, 37 goals, 61 assists, 98 points, +19 rating
Martone brings a more blue-collar game to the ice, but the results speak for themselves. This is a hard-nosed winger who is not afraid to mix it up in the corner or even drop the gloves. He is also a power forward who has no issue putting the puck in the back of the net.
He is also an unquestioned leader, captaining Brampton and creating the reputation of being a glue guy in the locker room.
Anton Frondell
- Position: Center
- Team: Djugardens IF (Sweden)
- Age: 18
- Height: 6 feet
- 2024-25 stats: 29 games, 11 goals, 14 assists, 25 points, +11 rating
Frondell is a dark horse for the No. 1 pick, but his recent performances have made it well-deserved. The 18-year-old is a skilled center with a physical presence, particularly on the forecheck, but is also an elite shooter who could develop into a sniper at the NHL level.
