The New York Islanders' prospect pool vaulted to ninth overall in the 2025 pipeline rankings after years near the bottom. The turnaround centers on Matthew Schaefer, the first-overall pick whose skating, skill and compete project him as a future No. 1 defenseman. Victor Eklund offers top-line speed and fearless play, while Kashawn Aitcheson brings physical edge from the back end. Calum Ritchie adds center depth with top-six upside, and Danny Nelson and Cole Eiserman supply high-end scoring potential. Marcus Gidlöf and Burke Hood provide promising goaltending depth behind Ilya Sorokin. The system now contains tangible NHL-impact assets.
The surge is headlined by Matthew Schaefer, the first-overall pick in June's NHL Draft, who Pronman places in the NHL All-Star tier. Schaefer's blend of skating, skill, and compete level makes him the centerpiece of the Islanders' rebuild-from-within strategy. "He's a powerful, effortless skater... a great talent who has already overcome tremendous personal adversity," Pronman wrote, projecting Schaefer as a future No. 1 defenseman.
But Schaefer isn't alone in reshaping the Isles' pipeline. Fellow 2025 first-rounder Victor Eklund lands in Pronman's "top of the lineup player" tier, praised for his dynamic skating and fearless play despite his smaller frame. Alongside him is rugged blueliner Kashawn Aitcheson, another 2025 first-rounder who plays with edge and bite, and was described as "a menace to play against." Meanwhile, 2023 first-rounder Calum Ritchie, acquired in the Brock Nelson trade, provides depth down the middle with top-six upside if he finds consistency.
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