The New York Islanders prospect pool surges in rankings. Is a bright future on the horizon for New York?
Host Gil Martin breaks down The Athletic’s top 100 drafted NHL prospects, highlighting the New York Islanders’ impressive leap. With five players in the top 34, including Matthew Schaefer at #1 overall, the team’s rebuild under GM Matthew Darche takes center stage. Martin analyzes Victor Eklund’s entry-level contract, provides a scouting report on third-round pick Luca Romano, and explores how prospects like Aitchison are training with veterans Bo Horvat and Adam Pelech.
Tune in for an in-depth look at the Islanders’ evolving prospect pipeline and what it means for the team’s future success.
All this and more on today’s Locked On Islanders Podcast with Gil Maritn.
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
IndeedNow, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to Indeed.com/LOCKEDON right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply.
GametimeToday’s episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNHL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.
Monarch MoneyTake control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNHL at monarchmoney.com/lockedonnhl for 50% off your first year.
FanDuelToday’s episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now, new FanDuel customers can get $150 in Bonus Bets if your first $5 bet wins!
FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)
Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOIslanders?sid=YouTube
Locked On NHL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Prospects & More
🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNHL
And follow the show and Gil Martin on Twitter where he’ll share the latest news on your New York Islanders and will talk with fans like you.
On Twitter: https://twitter.com/LockedOnIsles
and https://twitter.com/icewarsnyrvsnyi
#Islanders #NYIslanders #NHL
20 Comments
i'm not paying to read athletic. isles system has fluctuated-one has it 10 another 11. still not the best. sj who sat there and watched top scorer fall to them is no. one. all isle prospects are still 2-3 years away. and aitchenson will be the king of low iq penalties and bone head plays so lets not get ahead of things. no grade a guy or 30 g scorer is walking onto isles roster next season. And ritchie the closest to nhl will have to wait for injury or 44 to be moved to crack line-up.
As much as I would love to give all of the credit to Darche. He did only pick 3 out of 5 players so it wasent all him. Yes he just started, yes he changed the coaching staff, but when u talk prospects, it wasent just him
Lou had them in the muddy middle but sinking towards the lower third. PS – Bill Torrey never had a beard rule. That type of thing and the social media restrictions can cost you free agents if it is borderline with another team.
It''s an amazing start of a new era. Prospect pool heating up, Bridgeport getting much more deserved attention with hopefully a top notch development system. We have Shabanov and Heineman as younger additions too. Two firsts still in a deep draft next year. We still have trading material that could even land another first and/or top prospect. I do think Demidov is #1 over Schaefer though, but not complaining.
About time 👍🏼when was the last time lol, Exellent something we desperately needed, we all posted youth and speed LGI ⭐️thanks Gil 💪🏼🙌
Islanders farm system has been in shambles since the 90’s. Darche and team have done an incredible job to this point. It can only get better with the two firsts next draft with the hope we can off load some players at the deadline. I would rather pay the short term pain for long term success! Drive for 5 baby! A top 10 pick in next years draft would not suck. Listen if you watched during the Milbury years you can hold on for what’s coming.
Future definitely looking brighter, lets hope these kids develop well, nice to have a defined vision and a fresh approach.
Rebuilding Bridgeport will provide a base to develop young talent. Current situation there is a place careers go to die. There is hope on the horizon. And some of these picks were Lamoriello’s to be fair.
Schafer to college. No need for him to play in the NHL now. He’s only 17!!
Also, the Athletics Corey Pronman had 3 other NYI high in 25' Draft Ranking(not overall prospect ranking).
30th-D.Prokhorov(23rd in May ranking)… 59-Burke Hood(3rd ranked Goalie)…65-T.Poletin.
Good 🌄 , Gil. How are you? According to The Athletic, the Islanders have 5 players ranked, and they are Aitchisen Eisernman, Ritchie, Eklund , of course, Schaffer. Matheiu Darche is replenishing the prospect pool. He's also lifting the ban on Social Media. The future looks bright for the Islanders. Victor Eklund signed an ELC deal. He's only 5'11 and 175 lbs, but never underestimate the little guys. That's over $1M. 3rd round pick Luca Romano a great value. He's got the 🏒 smarts and he's got the speed. HAPPY 🎂, STEVE THOMAS. He scored 2 goals and 2 assists in a playoff win over the 🐧. Hear from you later Gil. It's time to ⌚️ Game of the Patrick Division Finals from 1982. NOW, LET'S GO, ISLANDERS
Lou had his issues, but we can’t give Darche the credit for Eiserman or Ritchie. And in reality Schaefer was a can’t miss at 1st overall. Eklund and Aitcheson from Dobson trade was great
Hi Gil! Hope your summer is a good one! To me, what Darshe has established is that he will not give out outrageous contracts and he won’t over pay. He is patient but aggressive. He opens the door for us to be an attractive spot because he’s is not Mr. Can’t do this and can’t do that. He is very transparent and has connected with the fans —We all know how awful it was to wait till September to find out we re-signed sone 5”8 kid from wherever. That other dude would have signed Fasching’s million dollar goal to 4/5 years. This guy is the goods. He won’t resign Lee and Pageau because he will free up that 12 million to “FINALLY” shop next summer. Plus I believe the cap is going up 10 million next 4 years—-please correct me if I’m inaccurate. I say help on the way in 2 years—-we will have to deal with growing pain series losses for a year or two—we will be ready to win come year 4 or 5 moving forward. We will need a Butchie move down the road but I feel Darshe will make it happen! I’m willing to wait because I feel we will be competitive this year and next. That should be the plan Gil—-draft wisely—-keep those pics and spend accordingly. Please get us an enforcer—please. Never Say Die!! Take care my Isles friend—
until Matthew is signed he is not an islander. He said NO WAY is he going to college. He thinks because of all the hype he should start with the NHL this September, I believe he is dreaming…Hey GM what if he says he is not going to college, assuming he does not make the big boy team, then what…Meanwhile Misa will be slotted as the number 2 line and he will be making an impact, while Matthew is playing,, well where will he be playing? You fans better hope he signs
That 93 team could have won the cup. If it were not for the cheap shot from Dale Hunter.
Oh the irony! I’ve watched the majority of our prospects. In my opinion, Cole Eiserman is by far and away our best prospect as of right now. He’s a pure goal scorer, It’s amazing how he scores goals! He’s not a dangler, he’s a shooter, the goalie has no chance. (It’s almost unfair) As a Freshman he
appeared in 39 games, missing just one while winning a gold medal with Team USA at the 2025 World Juniors. He led all NCAA rookies and all Terriers with 25 goals He’s 6 feet and 200 lbs. He plays a physical game and he uses all 200 lbs. He’ll be ready by next season if not by the end of this season. PS. Academically, a 4.0 GPA. If I weren’t SO superstitious? He shoots the puck just like a NY Islanders deity. However, I will not jinx an 18 year old kid! (He’ll turn 19 on August 29th) LGI
The NY Islanders are the epitome of class in the NHL. I really hope the owners are kept the regular season tradition of short hair and clean shaven. We don’t need any Joe Thornton or Brent Burns look a like. (It would be so weird seeing them unshaven on the bench) Brent Burns looks like a scrub! LGI
Good morning team! Gil, in all honesty. Our prospect pool remaining shallow wouldn't say very much for the organization. There is a cycle, and eventually, every team will be at the bottom. Our turn at or near the bottom, I'm thankful to say, is coming to an end. Kiss it goodbye, and we hope we're not there for many, many years to come. I like the direction the team is going, but I'm willing to give it a couple of years for us to be very dangerous. Gil, Thank you for yet another great episode and all the information you give us. Everyone, have a great day! See you all again tomorrow. Until then.. Let's Go Islanders!!
Isles farm system went from the bottom of the barrel to leading the pack. Love what Darche has done to stock our farm system and rebuild it for the future. Bright future on the Island. Haven't been this optimistic and hopeful for awhile now. Hope you are doing well too Gil, always appreciate the content sir!!
Really like what Darche has done so far. All the reason for great optimism. LGI