The season rides on contributions from Eiserman, Eklund, George, Ritchie, and Aitcheson. If they add these guys to the core group successfully they will be an exciting team, and a playoff team. If young guys dominate Camp they make the team or a quick call up. I don’t want Darche clogging up roster spots with our own UFA RFA or anyone else’s. Roll the Dice 🎲 on the kids! As far as the bottom third of our roster clear it out 1. By not resigning or dumping in Hamilton AHL (Enjoy Canada 🇨🇦 Boys). Darche knows Eklund is slotted on roster already. Eiserman in my mind showed well in Bridgeport, and has an excellent shot. Ritchie and George in lineup 💯. Nelson will be ready as soon as NCAA season ends. Aitcheson is the one with the most to prove in camp. He might not be ready, but he just might we will see. I assume this year we are going to go with our best six D-Man regardless of RHD or LHD. Darche is committed to try and win while integrating the young guys and I like it!
Gustafsson is a shutdown defender and a minutes eater. Slavin-esque, is what I’m told by a scout. QB’d SWE PP at U18.
If he is Slavic-esque we know why Darche took him!
How This Affects the Islanders’ Plans
This pick needed to be a defenseman, with four of their six defensemen signed to multi-year contracts being 30 years old or older, and the Islanders are getting another exciting one in Gustafsson. It adds to Matthew Schaefer and potentially Kashawn Aitcheson, the Islanders’ other first-round pick in 2025. All three of these guys are very versitaile, which should mitigate the concerns of the collection of left-handed defensemen.
A little surprise at Malte Gustafson, but he was the Best Player Available. Not concerned about the glut at LHD. I think they are comfortable with playing guys on their off side
Tony D signing is nothing to get excited about, but needed for a Stop Gap. Maybe 🤔 Romanov and Tony D can blend into a nice pairing. Personally, I’m not going to be happy until I see Schaefer George Romanov Aitcheson in the lineup every night. Yes I’m aware they are all LHD. I assume George will fine a permanent spot at RHD. George is tremendously underrated and expect him to have a breakthrough year.
This is complete nonsense assessment. The Islanders at lowest got an A on this kid. In fact he might very well might the best defenseman in the class. He played against men in the Swedish Top League like Victor Ekland, dominated at Junior International events. Easily the most NHL ready. He can be in the Islanders lineup at the end of next season. The islanders got a stud. The media gets enamored with the puck rush offensive players. We need Transition, Clean Zone Exits, top notch defensive capabilities, size, skating ability, a dash of physicality and offensive upside. We got it! It’s similar to a team in the NFL drafting the LT Offensive lineman it’s not sexy but it wins Super Bowls in the end. lol 😂 the kid turned 18 like twenty days ago he may top out at 6’6” 225
Potentially a great night tonight with Lucky 🍀 13!
The season rides on contributions from Eiserman, Eklund, George, Ritchie, and Aitcheson. If they add these guys to the core group successfully they will be an exciting team, and a playoff team. If young guys dominate Camp they make the team or a quick call up. I don’t want Darche clogging up roster spots with our own UFA RFA or anyone else’s. Roll the Dice 🎲 on the kids! As far as the bottom third of our roster clear it out 1. By not resigning or dumping in Hamilton AHL (Enjoy Canada 🇨🇦 Boys). Darche knows Eklund is slotted on roster already. Eiserman in my mind showed well in Bridgeport, and has an excellent shot. Ritchie and George in lineup 💯. Nelson will be ready as soon as NCAA season ends. Aitcheson is the one with the most to prove in camp. He might not be ready, but he just might we will see. I assume this year we are going to go with our best six D-Man regardless of RHD or LHD. Darche is committed to try and win while integrating the young guys and I like it!
https://x.com/stefen_rosner/status/2070672578218254418
https://x.com/stefen_rosner/status/2070672578218254418
·https://x.com/intent/follow?screen_name=stefen_rosner
Gustafsson is a shutdown defender and a minutes eater. Slavin-esque, is what I’m told by a scout. QB’d SWE PP at U18.
If he is Slavic-esque we know why Darche took him!
How This Affects the Islanders’ Plans
This pick needed to be a defenseman, with four of their six defensemen signed to multi-year contracts being 30 years old or older, and the Islanders are getting another exciting one in Gustafsson. It adds to Matthew Schaefer and potentially Kashawn Aitcheson, the Islanders’ other first-round pick in 2025. All three of these guys are very versitaile, which should mitigate the concerns of the collection of left-handed defensemen.
A little surprise at Malte Gustafson, but he was the Best Player Available. Not concerned about the glut at LHD. I think they are comfortable with playing guys on their off side
Tony D signing is nothing to get excited about, but needed for a Stop Gap. Maybe 🤔 Romanov and Tony D can blend into a nice pairing. Personally, I’m not going to be happy until I see Schaefer George Romanov Aitcheson in the lineup every night. Yes I’m aware they are all LHD. I assume George will fine a permanent spot at RHD. George is tremendously underrated and expect him to have a breakthrough year.
Tony D or Scott Mayfield it’s tough and certainly not ideal to carry two Seventh D-Man on roster. Hoping Aitcheson dazzles at Camp.
Schaefer - Pulock
Pelech. - George
Romanov. - Tony D
Mayfield
With Aitcheson in the Wings. Honestly George could be pivotal!
We need to stay Healthy !
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7377655/2026/06/26/islanders-nhl-draft-picks-grades-2026/
This is complete nonsense assessment. The Islanders at lowest got an A on this kid. In fact he might very well might the best defenseman in the class. He played against men in the Swedish Top League like Victor Ekland, dominated at Junior International events. Easily the most NHL ready. He can be in the Islanders lineup at the end of next season. The islanders got a stud. The media gets enamored with the puck rush offensive players. We need Transition, Clean Zone Exits, top notch defensive capabilities, size, skating ability, a dash of physicality and offensive upside. We got it! It’s similar to a team in the NFL drafting the LT Offensive lineman it’s not sexy but it wins Super Bowls in the end. lol 😂 the kid turned 18 like twenty days ago he may top out at 6’6” 225