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It’s time for Daily Faceoff’s third annual NHL Prospect Pool Breakdown, looking at the best all 32 teams have to offer. We’re highlighting the top 10 prospects for every franchise, their biggest strengths and weaknesses and so much more.

The criteria for being labeled a “prospect” are simple: players generally have to have played in 50 or fewer NHL games or spent more time outside of the NHL than in it last year. Players over 23 years old are not included, with goaltenders needing to be 25 or under.

Today, we’re breaking down the New York Islanders.

I’m not sure I’ve seen a glow-up quite like this.

The Islanders went from having one of the worst pipelines in the NHL – literally 365 days ago – to one of pure envy. Everything changed the moment the Islanders traded veteran Brock Nelson to the Colorado Avalanche in a deal that sent Calum Ritchie the other way. Suddenly, they had a top-30 prospect, giving them a legit top-two center for the long term.

Biggest of all, they won the NHL Draft lottery, allowing them to take coveted defenseman Matthew Schaefer first overall. But a few hours before the big selection, the Islanders shipped out Noah Dobson to Montreal in a deal involving two first-rounders. They used them on Victor Eklund and Kashawn Aitcheson, giving them three prospects from Daily Faceoff’s top 120 list.

It was a game-changing few months for the franchise, giving GM Mathieu Darche plenty to work with in his first season on the job.

Last year’s list looked much, much different. Kamil Bednarik, Calle Odelius, Matthew Maggio and Quinn Finley didn’t make the cut, while William Dufour and Justin Gill don’t have NHL contracts anymore. Any of the top five prospects listed here today could have challenged for the No. 1 spot a year ago – that’s how deep this group is now.

Biggest Strength

I love what they’ve done with the blueline. I feel very confident in both Schaefer and Aitcheson – two top-four defensemen, with Schaefer being a future NHL star. But I also think Jesse Pulkkinen’s size and Isaiah George’s defensive reads will allow them to be future bottom-pair defenders, and we’ve already seen what George is capable of. Very few pipelines have even two legit NHL blueliners in the system, but the Islanders have managed to bring in three from just the past two drafts alone – and at least two could be in the NHL this fall.

Biggest Weakness

For as improved as the pipeline has become, the right wing depth is definitely lacking. I like Daniil Prokhorov, but he’s projected to become a bottom-six guy. Jacob Kvasnicka is fine, but he has a long, long way to go. So, beyond that, I’m not sure I feel confident in any of the others making the NHL. You can move centers and left wingers to the right side if you need it. But given the left side has Cole Eiserman and Victor Eklund, and the right side has nobody in the top 10, it’s a bit barren there.

Fast Facts:
NHL GM: Mathieu Darche
Dir. of Amateur Scouting: Trent Klatt
Dir. of Player Development: Eric Cairns
AHL Affiliate: Bridgeport Islanders
ECHL Affiliate: Worcester Railers

TOP 10 PROSPECTS

*Kashawn Aitcheson and Victor Eklund (Steven Ellis/The Nation Network)*

1. Matthew Schaefer, LHD, 18 (New York Islanders)

Acquired: Drafted first overall, first round in 2025

Will Schaefer be in the NHL come October? I have no doubt he’d be able to handle it, but I’d prefer for him to head back to the OHL (or even commit to an NCAA team) and just get playing time in after missing most of 2024-25. Schaefer is as good a puck distributor as you’ll find, too, and it’s only a matter of time until he pops off in the NHL. That’s partly because he thinks game at such an advanced level for his age, often luring opponents in before pulling off a deceptive deke and getting the puck where it needs to be. Scouts note just how high his hockey IQ is. You can have all the skill in the world, or you could be the biggest, meanest defender around, but if you can’t make quick decisions and your skating lags behind, you’re toast. He’s going to be in the Norris Trophy conversation for the next 15 years – book it.

2. Calum Ritchie, C, 20 (Bridgeport Islanders, AHL)

Acquired: Traded by Colorado Avalanche in 2025

Ritchie is one of smartest two-way threats you’ll find outside the NHL right now. He started last season with the Avs, and it seemed like training and playing with quality players helped boost his game in a way we hadn’t seen before. Ritchie has done a better job at making quick decisions with the puck, and he loves to shoot the puck. I think he’s good on the power play, mostly as a passer. Ritchie’s stock fell a bit in his 2023 NHL Draft year, which I felt to be a bit unfair. That’s mostly because scouts wanted to see him become a better point-producer. But it became clear he was prioritizing becoming valuable at both ends, and his workhorse ethic should take him far in the NHL.

3. Cole Eiserman, LW, 19 (Boston University, NCAA)

Acquired: Drafted 20th overall, first round in 2024

*Cole Eiserman (Steven Ellis/The Nation Network)*

Expectations were high for Eiserman last year. He built a reputation as having one of the best shots in his age group, having decimated goalies for two years while with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. The competitive winger had a massive year with Boston University, and we know he’s always involved in the offense when he dons his nation’s colors. He scored 25 goals and registered 36 points as one of the top college freshmen, and he had another seven points en route to gold at the World Juniors with USA. Eiserman will spend the next year in college, but don’t be surprised to see him challenging for a top-six role with the Islanders come 2026-27. I know he’s still raw away from the puck, but the things he does with it are special.

4. Victor Eklund, LW, 18 (Djurgardens, SHL)

Acquired: Drafted 16th overall, first round in 2025

Eklund is exceptionally skilled. He makes things happen with the puck that very few can, and he’s got an excellent shot, to boot. I loved him at the World Juniors because it felt like he was always involved in the puck play. He might not be big at 5-foot-11, but he does have some decent strength. Defensively, he needs work, but it shouldn’t stop him from playing high in the lineup. His skating continues to get better, and it’s something that was noticeable near the end of 2024-25. I’m excited to see what the Islanders can get out of him, both with and without the puck. I fully expect Eklund to challenge for a top-line job once he cracks the NHL.

5. Kashawn Aitcheson, LHD, 18 (Barrie Colts, OHL)

Acquired: Drafted 17th overall, first round in 2025

I still can’t believe the Islanders managed to snag Aitcheson with their third pick in the first round. He has the potential to be an intimidating force in the NHL – someone who just gives opponents nothing to work with. His physicality is the best attribute of his game because he’s willing to get involved with just about anyone. Aitcheson finished the regular season with 26 goals and 59 points while registering 88 penalty minutes, earning a reputation as one of the most difficult players to go up against.. Aitcheson isn’t an outstanding skater, and his playmaking can be a bit of a mixed bag. But I think the raw talent and the pure tenacity will allow him to be so effective in the NHL.

6. Danny Nelson, C, 19 (University of Notre Dame, NCAA)

Acquired: Drafted 49th overall, second round in 2023

*Danny Nelson (Steven Ellis/The Nation Network)*

Nelson will never be mistaken for an elite goal scorer, but he’s no slouch with the puck. He’s coming off an impressive 13-goal, 26-point sophomore season with Notre Dame, and he was great with USA at the World Juniors, as well. Nelson is best as a two-way center, though, someone you can rely on at both ends of the ice. He’s also 6-foot-3 and 216 pounds, which doesn’t hurt (unless you’re going up against him, of course). I see a potential No. 3 center in Nelson – but a good one at that. I think he’ll only need one more year in college before he makes a beeline for the NHL.

7. Jesse Pulkkinen, LHD, 20 (Bridgeport Islanders, AHL)

Acquired: Drafted 54th overall, second round in 2024

Pulkkinen is somewhat of a late-bloomer – he himself said he only started to take becoming a professional hockey player seriously about two years ago. He split last year between JYP’s senior and junior programs before finishing with a 10-game stint with Bridgeport in the AHL. His season was a bit inconsistent at best, but you still saw a player brimming with confidence. At 6-foot-6, he’s hard to miss, and he loves to hit you as hard as he can. Pulkkinen’s mobility continues to improve, allowing him to cut off angles easier. I think he’ll spend at least two years in the AHL before getting his shot at the NHL – there’s no need to rush him right now since he’s still quite raw.

8. Marcus Gidlöf, G, 19 (Leksands, SHL)

Acquired: Drafted 146th overall, fifth round in 2024

Gidlöf was Sweden’s backup at the World Juniors but was thrust into the crease for the bronze medal game against Czechia. He played well in that game, even though he came out with the loss in the shootout. Back in the SHL, he put up solid numbers in his first year against men while also dominating the U-20 level. Next up? A full year in Leksands. At 6-foot-6, Gidlöf has the size you want. He tracks pucks well, is extremely competitive and has good rebound control. In a year with very few starter-caliber options, Gidlöf could end up being a steal. I just feel it. There are still some raw elements to his game, but many scouts think he’ll become an NHL goaltender one day.

9. Isaiah George, LHD, 21 (Bridgeport Islanders, AHL)

Acquired: Drafted 98th overall, fourth round in 2022

*Isaiah George (Perry Nelson-Imagn Images)*

George made an immediate impact with the Islanders out of rookie camp a few years ago, and he went on to make his NHL debut before turning 21 years old. He had five points in 33 NHL games and another 14 points in 33 AHL games. But, most importantly, he honed his own-zone play, making fewer mistakes under pressure. George likes to hit hard, and he has done a solid job of calming down with the puck and making more impactful decisions. His rise to the NHL has been quick, and while I think he’ll top out as a third-pairing defender, it was great to see his early success in Long Island.

10. Luca Romano, C, 18 (Kitchener Rangers, OHL)

Acquired: Drafted 74th overall, third round in 2025

I know Prokhorov was taken ahead of Romano, but I liked Romano more heading into the draft. Romano is good skater, and he uses that to exploit open space. He puts a ton of power behind his shot and can hold his own physically despite being a mid-sized center. What makes him intriguing is just how energetic he is and how he chases everyone around the whole game. I think he’ll be a decent bottom-six forward, and some added muscle will help. I was hoping for better numbers last this year, but Romano established himself as a legit OHL goal-scorer and I think he has middle-six potential. He works so hard, plays a strong 200-foot game and is great in transition, too.

The rest: Gleb Veremyev, C (22), Matthew Maggio, RW (22), Alex Jefferies, LW (23), Eetu Liukas, LW (22), Daylan Kuefler, LW (23), Jesse Nurmi, LW (20), Daniil Prokhorov, RW (18), Tomas Poletin, LW (18), Jacob Kvasnicka, RW (17), Kamil Bednarik, C (19), Quinn Finley, LW (20), Cameron Berg, 23 (C), Tomas Machu, RHD (22), Dennis Good Bogg, LHD (21), Zachary Schulz, LHD (20), Xavier Veilleux, LHD (19), Sam Laurila, LHD (18), Calle Odelius, LHD (21), Tristan Lennox, G (22), Henrik Tikkanen, G (24), Burke Hood, G (18), Dmitry Gamzin, G (22)

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