Islanders Win Draft Lottery: Get To Know Top Three Prospects
The Islanders have won the Draft Lottery for the first time since 2009.
The New York Islanders entered the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery with a 3.5% chance of winning the first overall pick.
They came away victorious as they’ll now have their pick of the litter, which can change the course of the franchise in the short and long term.
Get to know the top three projected players:
Matthew Schaefer, LHD:
Defenseman Matthew Schaefer, 17, was hurt during the World Junior Championships but has earned recognition as the top prospect among many scouts.
He recorded 22 points (five goals, 17 assists) in 17 games with the Erie Otters of the OHL.
Misa also had two points (one goal, one assist) in two games before his injury in the WJC.
The Oakville, Ontario native was a member of the OHL First All-Rookie team in 2023-24 and won a gold medal at the U18 WJC with Canada.
He could be NHL-ready as soon as 2025-26.
NHL Comparisons: Miro Heiskanen, Rasmus Dahlin
Michael Misa, C:
The left-hand-shooting Michael Misa, 18, recorded 134 points (64 goals, 70 assists) in games for the Saginaw Spirit this season.
He led the Ontario Hockey League in points and finished second in goals and assists.
Misa has played the wing but said he would rather play center as it’s where he feels more comfortable.
He could be NHL-ready as soon as 2025-26.
NHL Comparisons: Marian Hossa, John Tavares
James Hagens, C:
A Hauppauge, Long Island native, forward James Hagens, 18, was the consensus top prospect heading into the 2024-25 season.
He joined Boston College a year early and scored 37 points (11 goals, 26 assists) in 37 games in 2024-25.
Hagens also scored nine points (five goals, four assists) in seven games at the World Junior Championship (WJC) en route to a gold medal alongside Islanders prospects Cole Eiserman and Danny Nelson.
In addition to his gold medal, Hagens was a member of the NCAA (Hockey East) All-Rookie Team in 2024-25.
Hagens was previously named the U18 WJC Most Valuable Player in 2024 for his performance on the United States’ silver-medal-winning team, where he scored 22 points (nine goals, 13 assists) in seven games, setting the single tournament points record.
One would expect Hagens to return to Boston College for his sophomore season.
NHL comparison: Jack Hughes
The 2025 NHL Draft takes place on Jun 27 & 28 in Los Angeles at L.A. Live's Peacock Theater.
Michael Ostrower contributed to this report.
SIGN YOUR CHILD UP FOR THE MATT MARTIN HOCKEY ACADEMY CAMP:
We don’t need no retreads ! I personally think Ownership loves Patrick. They didn’t want to embarrass Lou by immediately naming him as. GM. However I believe they already have their man. We most likely need a President would love to have a Morrow. Business Ops should be Collins.
Maybe this is the beginning of the End of the NHL marginal Islanders. Personally I think we already have our GM in Patrick. Maybe we should just build out the Cap/Contract person. Build out the organization around a Patrick and Kenny Morrow. Collins is a guy that should be involved in Contracts etc. Collins Morrow Roy with talented staff built around.