What I'm Hearing On Draft Day

Today is the day, draft day. Here's the latest. Happy Free Friday!

Stefen Rosner

David Kolb

, and

The Elmonters

Jun 27, 2025

LOS ANGELES — Today is the day. The New York Islanders will be drafting maybe more than one franchise-altering player.

Here’s everything I’m hearing. And happy Free Friday!

Unless something seriously goes wrong, Matthew Schaefer will be putting on an Isles sweater.
I do think it’s not just smoke when it comes to LI native James Hagens.
You can bet GM Mathieu Darche is monitoring the Hagens situation closely, and if the opportunity presents itself, he will make his move.
If the Islanders decide to trade back up into the first round for Hagens, don't be surprised if there are multiple layers involved.
There could be a trade for a lower pick before that pick gets flipped for a higher one.
If Noah Dobson is traded, it sounds like Montreal is where he wants to land, but I would keep my eyes on Columbus, St. Louis, and Nashville.
I believe D Logan Mailloux has been discussed as the prospect coming back.
In a deal with Columbus, I believe RFA LW Dmitri Voronkov is the player to watch.
I do think Jordan Kyrou would be in play in a deal with St. Louis.
Nashville has pick No. 5, probably the earliest spot Hagens would go.
While Dobson doesn’t have any no-trade clauses, he does have a say in a trade, as he would have to have an extension in place with his new team.
Elliotte Friedman said that Dobson prefers to stay in the Eastern Conference.
Defenseman Alexander Romanov is not being shopped and will get an extension.
I don’t believe Scott Mayfield, who has a full no-trade clause, will be on the move either.
Center Jean-Gabriel Pageau, who has one year left on his deal at $5 million annually, has many suitors if the Islanders elect to move him. Those teams include the Minnesota Wild, Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators, and Montreal Canadiens.
I still believe, unless Darche is blown away, that Pageau won’t get moved until at least the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline.
Forward Matthew Barzal is doing well and will be ready for training camp, which is clearly very important.
When it comes to Bridgeport assistant coaches, keep an eye on ECHL’s Cincinnati Cyclones' head coach Riley Weselowski.
We will get a Bridgeport assistant coach announcement over the next few days.
There have been preliminary talks with pending RFA Simon Holmstrom, but, like with Romanov, the expectation is that those will pick up after the draft.
If the Islanders are moving on from forward Pierre Engvall, who has five years left on his deal at $3 million annually, I still think Carolina is a strong landing spot.
I couldn’t get any info on Mike Reilly’s status in time for the piece — I will share when I do — but I believe it’s “wait and see” when it comes to Tony DeAngelo. Obviously, Dobson being moved could open the door for DeAngelo to return.
I believe RFA Marc Gatcomb will be back. I’m not so sure on UFA Hudson Fasching.