The New York Islanders have secured the first overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. How will this game-changing opportunity shape their future? Host Gil Martin explores the top prospects, including Matthew Schaefer, Michael Misa, and James Hagens, each offering unique potential to the Islanders’ lineup.
The episode also examines the possibility of trading the pick, weighing the benefits of acquiring additional assets against the value of a top-tier draft choice. Anthony Duclair’s challenging season is reviewed, with insights into his future role and relationship with coach Patrick Roy. Plus, a nod to Brad Isbister’s contributions as a power forward during his time with the Islanders.
Discover how these pivotal decisions could redefine the Islanders’ path to success. Tune in for an in-depth analysis and strategic insights.
All this and more on today’s Locked On Islanders Podcast with Gil Martin.
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45 Comments
Firstly, im not trading pick #1. Why would you just gift the sharks the best player in this draft.
Second, if I am trading it, I’m not dropping past 3rd. If we are trading the pick we are going to be trading back for Hagens, make no mistake. And I highly doubt the Hawks or Sharks would want to give up their first rounder next year (which can be a top 10 pick) to move up 1 or 2 spots.
I want Schaefer or Misa. I do not want to reach for Hagens. That’s the easiest way to lead to absolute disaster.
Hi Gil, good morning ☀️ how are you ? I am happy we got the first pick. Hopefully we pick the right player. Enjoy the summer 🎉
Switch with the Blackhawks 3rd pick, then take Hagens which would be a good idea since hes a bad azz and grew up an Islanders fan.
it has to be Misa. Or I'd trade down a spot or two for a return and take Hagens. 22 points in 17 games is awesome, but that's such a small sample size
I would trade the pic get somebody good now they can play for us now we have Sorokin barzal
Keep building
Trade 1st to Boston for Pastrnak and some other player and go for the here and now.
Gm Gil. Would it make sense to trade this pick for a stash of picks given the sheer volume of needs the team has?
Maybe this is Tavares trauma but there would seem to be a lot of value to draft a player who wants to be here.
This a no-brainer, for this particular club: the best forward available. NOT a defenseman. We need the guy that is going to hopefully be a perennial 40- to 50-goal scorer for the next 10 seasons. (And I appreciate that Misa will need a few seasons of ramp-up.) The Islanders couldn't get to the finals during the Trotz era because they were missing that top goal scorer. Getting a top goal scorer in free agency is very difficult for a team like the NYI.
The best pick is simple! We need explosive offensive! Michael misa! Misa.ritchie,eiserman. Not hagens and not schaffer.misa for explosive offense!
In drafting there is a simple rule that applies whether you're picking first, seventh, or nineteenth….take the best player available period. That player is by vast majority opinion….Matthew Schaefer. There are no guarantees but drafting by best available is a proven formula over time. As for Duclair…it was a mistake for Lou to sign him…trade him or buy him out or waive for the purpose of termination….get rid of him. John Tortorella once said of him…"He just doesn't get it…we have tried to teach him but he is not interested in what we are teaching". Now Torts is a colorful character and at times short on temper…but I have never…ever..heard anyone say he doesn't know hockey. This team is hopefully starting a rebuild…players like Duclair are not what you want on the roster.
misa the qb schaefer is the left tackle you need a qb first..
Isles have a tone of holes but You do not pass up on Schaefer
“Need” should honestly be the last thing discussed here. This is the 1st overall pick. Take the best player in the draft. I don’t want to hear “we need this or that”. We need elite young talent. Period. If the top guy is Schaefer, which appears to be the consensus, just take him. Don’t overcomplicate things.
Schaefer is worth the risk. 17 and can skate like that. You can build a whole team around him. Dishing to Barzy, Horvath and maybe Duc. And if he gets a slap shot, he could be even more dangerous.
Simple solution take either Schafer or Misa try and trade whom ever you can load up picks for next year that's the only way to get out of the mediocrity there in management needs to lower prices while we rebuild let the young guns play
Just draft the Islander, James Hagens.
I say the Islanders will keep the pick rather than trade it away.
They better bring Roy back
Ideally if we could trade and get the #2 or 3 pick as well
I would love the Islanders to pick Schaefer than see if u can make a trade with SJ or Chicago for their 1st rd pick .Send Dobson and picks if possible. Than draft Misa or Hagens . One can dream😊
Schaefer. We have goaltending we can complete the D with him improve the PP and OT with him so as much as id love Offense and we need it we can always trade for more offense.
OR … draft and trade. pick Schaefer and see where Hagans drops. is it No. 4 with Utah or No. 5 with Nashville. You have 2 picks next year. Make an offer and see if you can pry another top 5 pick to get Hagens. Just the thought of Hagens-Eiserman together is worth a roll of the dice, knowing you still end up with Schaefer as well.
If you trade back it can only be with sharks or hawks cause you can’t walk out of there without Hagens misa or Shaeffer and I still stand by the fact that a 1C is more pivot able then a D
If you are truly looking long run we have 2 first rounders next year, take the true 1st d that doesn't come around often. We have Cal coming up, Eiserman, maybe with this first overall pick and the possibility of Darche as gm you can get Howard as well, and then add 2 great pieces in a deep draft next year you are looking at a top5-8 prospect pool in the league
Frankly the Islanders should trade down with Chicago who probably draft Misa, The Sharks then jump on Schaffer and the Islanders get Hagens plus some other high end pieces from Chicago's pool.
If you determine that defense is the priority, you pick Shaeffer. If you see offense as the greatest need, you pick Misa…period.
It should be pointed out if you looking long terms, chances are you probably will get a better return on an forward in the first 5-6 years, defensemen generally mature later. Not sure how much that should fact or into the pick but it is something to be considered
I terms of trading the pick I would be open to trading down to 3 or 4 if we get like a combo of 3 or 4 late firsts or 2nd round picks. One scenario I see would be we trade down with San Jose for the leafs 2025 first, the with Chicago for our 2nd Round pick in 2026(that they got for Bailey) and a 2025 first. This assumes that San Jose wants Schaeffer, Chicago Misa and we get Hagens.
i think the last time a islanders scored 100 points in a season was pierre turgeon back in 1992-1993
Misa, no question.
-Sharks fans. 😂
Don't know much about them, but saw a stat showing the last few players to get 2+PPG in OHL…they were-McDavid, Kane, Spezza, Misa and Marner…GPG=Kane, Tavares, Misa, Stamkos and McDavid. Schaefer only really had 15+ great games to really show his stuff. Can the Isles minor league affiliate be trusted to get Schaefer to where he needs to be? Defensemen take longer to grow/mold then forwards.
Take the best foward 1st.
Schaefer should be the number 1 pick and if he’s not I’m going to be pissed. McKenzie talked to 10 scouts 9 said Schaefer is the best player. The other scout picked Misa based on positional value. McKenzie also mentioned multiple scouts told him they believe Schaefer has the potential to win multiple Norris trophies
Everyone wants Shadrer take him or trade him and get Long Island native by moving back
But San José wants Shaefer
Better be shaefer defence wins championships
You always pick the best or are we dumb
Schaefer and Dobson could form a strong pairing for the next decade. If they want Hagens, they should offer next year's first-round pick from the Avs along with Romonov and a second-round pick, to gain him additionally.
D Men w Schaefer’s skill set & upside are exceptionally rare,not even considering he’s only 17.
If they go this route, they need to have a long term plan on who they pair him with. He’s a unique skillset projecting as #1 D. Who will be the #2(Dobson aside)?
San Jose Sharks are very high on Matthew Schaefer for good reason. Either stay put at #1 and take Schaefer or trade #1 to San Jose for the #2 overall pick and Sam Dickinson then take Michael Misa.
Gil, In my opinion, I love great defensive teams, but wasting the very first pick of the draft on a defensemen is the BIGGEST waste of a high pick, and should be considered out of the question. The team can get a talented defensemen with a later pick, and that defensemen would still be our #1 defensemen. Please DEFINITELY do not trade this pick. We have to determine who the best forward is including speed, hockey IQ, and being able to put the puck in the net 35-45 times and assist another 40-50 times every season for the next ten years! Until next time.. Let's Go Islanders!!
What i would do is trade #8 to san jose and draft Schaefer 1st and get Misa 2nd….
Idk why duclair is injury prone but something is wrong maybe extra strength conditioning or a nutritionist will help
Trade: Hawks have tons of cap space and picks. We want Misa.
Ils have little cap space and RFAs to sign.
Ils trade to hawks Lee plus his 7mil hit and the No. 1 overall pick.
Hawks trade Ils both our 2025 1st Rd picks, for NY No 1 overall pick.
We pick Misa, and get 30 goal scorer Lee.
Ils trade Lee and save 7mil/sign RFA Holmstrom/Dobson/Tsyplakov
NY picks Hagens with 3rd overall plus another player 2025 1st Rd
Maybe Hawks add a 2026 2nd rd pick sweetner?
What does NY think?