New York Islanders General Manager and Executive Vice President Mathieu Darche addressed the media after the conclusion of Round One of the 2025 NHL Draft. He reiterated what he had emphasized before the draft: the team was not going to trade the first-overall pick—“someone would really have to knock my socks off” to even consider it. And as expected, they stayed put and selected Matthew Schaefer with the top pick.
The New York Islanders acquired the 16th and 17th overall picks in the 2025 NHL Draft, along with forward Emil Heineman from the Montreal Canadiens, in exchange for Noah Dobson.
With pick 16, the Islanders chose Swedish winger Victor Eklund.
With pick 17, they selected OHL defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson.
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7 Comments
He did a great job!!!
none of the genius reporters asked "do you need to move any other rfa? and now that you moved Dobson what are you looking to do to replace him??"
We'll send you guys in the next few years pictures of Dobson with the cup in Montreal! Merci Mathieu Darche habs legend forever 😉 and thanks you for this missing piece on our roster GO HABS GO 🔵⚪🔴
By the way Islanders fans are gonna fall in love with Heineman this guy is only gonna get better, he is a real stud already with good work ethic (bottom 6 winger for sure but amazing shot, very good speed and physical) good luck with Eklund and Aitcheson in their development. Good trade for both organization! Islanders are in good hands with DARCHE as the GM
They realize they have to get younger, faster, and have more compete. Dobson has proven to be very soft and a low compete. Confidence has always been a problem, going to Montreal could be a disaster. Maybe a clean start will help him.
Pelech should be on the trade block now. We are logjammed at LD. Schaefer, Romanov, Aicheson should be our future on the left side, with a ton of other options currently. Pelech needs to go.
31st on the Power Play and Shorthanded. You have to unload those players
beep…beep…beep! beep! beep!!!!!!!!!