The Islanders Could Solve Two Problems At Once With No. 13 Pick At 2026 NHL Draft

The Islanders could maximize the value of the No. 13 pick by trading back, adding a second-round selection, and still landing a player like Ryan Lin. Plus, our full NHL Combine interview.

BUFFALO, NY — It’s a mere guess as to who the New York Islanders are looking to draft with the 13th overall pick at the 2026 NHL Draft.

Mathieu Darche, Matt Martin, and Co. spoke with more than 20 prospects at the NHL Combine, and while the organization certainly has a need for a right-shot defenseman, drafting for positional need isn’t always the right approach.

As I’ve mentioned in previous columns, “best player available” is subjective.

If the Islanders believe one of their preferred targets will still be available later in the first round, trading back could make a lot of sense.

Not only would they still have a chance to draft a player they value, but they could also add a much-needed second-round pick. Right now, the Islanders don’t own another selection until the fourth round (No. 109).