The New York Islanders have selected first overall four times in the NHL draft, taking Billy Harris in 1972, Denis Potvin in 1973, Rick DiPietro in 2000 and John Tavares in 2009. (David Kirouac-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/20153cb3-c7a8-49eb-8269-bf79ba0bf9de.jpeg] The New York Islanders have selected first overall four times in the NHL draft, taking Billy Harris in 1972, Denis Potvin in 1973, Rick DiPietro in 2000 and John Tavares in 2009. (David Kirouac-Imagn Images) The NHL draft lottery was broadcast live for all to see, and the balls fell in the New York Islanders’ favor. The Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders] had the winning combination that awards them the first overall pick [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/islanders-win-2025-nhl-draft-lottery] and the chance to improve their franchise moving forward. The Utah Hockey Club [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/utah] won the second draw to move up 10 spots to fourth overall. That means the San Jose Sharks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/san-jose-sharks] have the second overall pick. Who will be the first overall pick in 2025? Although most lists are beginning to put Matthew Schaefer at the top spot, there are a few, including my own [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/2025-nhl-draft-rankings-ferraris-mid-season-top-64], that have Michael Misa ranked first. Let this officially open the debate as we dig into which top prospect makes the most sense for the Islanders. Let’s start with the underdog in the race for first overall, Misa. MICHAEL MISA, C, SAGINAW (OHL) The Saginaw Spirit center was undeniably dominant in the OHL [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl] this past season. His 62 goals were second in the CHL, and his 134 points led the entire CHL in scoring. Misa showed himself to be one of the most intelligent players in the draft class throughout the year and continually grew his game. Not only was his offensive game a force to be reckoned with, but he was a positive defensive presence as well, even playing on the penalty kill. Misa’s ability to elevate those around him was evident all season. He was more than capable of playing any role asked of him on a line. The Spirit captain showed an amazing amount of maturity and mental toughness throughout the season, becoming a more well-rounded player as the season wore on. The big separator for Misa compared to most other high-end offensive scorers at the junior level was his attention to detail. From positioning himself on the right side of the puck to understanding his leverage in a board battle, Misa used his strengths in those situations. Misa can be a top-line center with a legitimate two-way impact. 2025 NHL Draft: Michael Misa's Historic Year Has Him Pushing For First Overall [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/bdb7f150-789d-421f-9d58-3941df62689d.jpeg] 2025 NHL Draft: Michael Misa's Historic Year Has Him Pushing For First Overall Top-level NHL draft prospect Michael Misa tore the OHL apart with a season that rewrote the history books. [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/2025-nhl-draft-michael-misas-historic-year-has-him-pushing-for-first-overall] MATTHEW SCHAEFER, D, ERIE (OHL) Matthew Schaefer is the front-runner in discussions about the first overall pick since at least the world juniors. Not only did he make Canada’s U-20 team, but he was its most effective defenseman before his season-ending injury. He pushed the pace, showed offensive prowess and controlled the flow of play as a 17-year-old. Unfortunately, the collarbone injury he suffered when he crashed into the net [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/canadas-tournament-just-went-from-bad-to-worse-matthew-schaefer-out-for-remainder-of-world-junior-championship] in Canada’s second game kept him out of the lineup for the second half of the season. What makes Schaefer special is his fluidity in all aspects of his game. His vision on the ice is incredible. He handles the puck with impressive control and is rarely in a situation where he loses the puck off his stick. His passing is crisp and precise, hitting targets in motion with ease. Defensively, Schaefer leverages his skating and play-reading ability to close on puck carriers in transition, and he wins battles in the tough areas by playing through opponents' hands. He doesn’t have the raw strength to throw guys around or blow players up, but he’s no slouch along the boards because he understands how to position his body. Instant Reaction: NHL Central Scouting Releases Final 2025 Draft Rankings [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/4d2b0e7c-bca8-42bf-abb1-ac2bf3560ec5.jpeg] Instant Reaction: NHL Central Scouting Releases Final 2025 Draft Rankings NHL Central Scouting released its final rankings for the 2025 NHL draft. [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/instant-reaction-nhl-central-scouting-releases-final-2025-draft-rankings] WHO’S THE BETTER FIT? The biggest question is how Schaefer and Misa would fit with the Islanders and where they would project in the lineup next year and down the line. It’s an interesting question because the Islanders are entering a new era without former GM Lou Lamoriello [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/islanders-lou-lamoriello-had-nothing-left-to-prove-but-its-time-for-a-rebuild-on-long-island] after parting ways. The search for a new GM continues. Looking at the current roster and their prospect pool, there are needs all over the lineup. Center prospect Cal Ritchie was acquired [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/nhl-trade-deadline-what-to-know-about-the-prospects-and-picks-dealt] from the Colorado Avalanche [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/colorado-avalanche] in the Brock Nelson trade at the deadline. Ritchie has been electric at times in the OHL, and his development as a two-way forward has been fantastic. He may not project as a true first-line center, but he has top-six talent. Cole Eiserman is a scoring left winger who was quite good for Boston University this year [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/what-a-freshman-season-it-was-for-islanders-prospect-cole-eiserman]. He is a one-shot lethal scorer who could look great alongside Ritchie down the line. Danny Nelson has shown some promise [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/danny-nelson-new-york-islanders-team-usa-world-junior-championships-2025-switzerland] in college, playing for the University of Notre Dame, but he projects as a bottom-six center. Outside of those few players, there is still quite a bit of work for the Islanders to do in rebuilding this team back to true contention. Notably, all of those players are forwards. Although Misa is a first overall worthy prospect, the logical pick for the Islanders is Schaefer, who would instantly become their top prospect. He would be the centerpiece of their blueline for years to come. A pairing of Schaefer and current No. 1 defender Noah Dobson would push the pace and create an offensive advantage that most teams would cause most teams a headache or they could opt to spread out the puck-moving ability and consistently have the best defenseman on the ice at any given time. There is plenty of work to do for the Islanders’ scouting staff, and things could change, or they could opt to load up down the middle. James Hagens [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/14-must-watch-prospects-at-ncaa-mens-hockey-tournament-leonard-hutson-hagens-and-more] grew up as an Islanders fan and started the year as the top-rated player, so there is always the chance that he comes in as the dark horse. There will be plenty of intrigue heading into the NHL draft in June. 2025 NHL Lottery Mock Draft: Where Schaefer, Misa, Hagens And More Could Fall [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/366cffbd-4d94-46cd-a736-084b215d2e0b.jpeg] 2025 NHL Lottery Mock Draft: Where Schaefer, Misa, Hagens And More Could Fall The NHL draft lottery went live this year, and the drama was real, with the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/new-york-islanders-win-nhl-draft-lottery-who-should-they-pick-first-overall">New York Islanders</a> moving all the way to No. 1 once the balls were read out. [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/2025-nhl-lottery-mock-draft-where-schaefer-misa-hagens-and-more-could-fall] SHARKS GET NO. 2 PICK Since a team can only move up a maximum of 10 spots if it wins the a lottery draw, Utah climbed from 14th to fourth. That means the Sharks get the second pick and the intriguing possibility of adding Misa to pair down the middle with last year’s first overall pick, Macklin Celebrini. Their fourth overall pick in 2023, Will Smith, played mainly on the right wing this season. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/san-jose-sharks/latest-news/sharks-will-smith-explains-his-move-to-the-wing] The one-two punch down the middle could make them a force out West for years to come. Two complete centers who have 30-goal, point-per-game potential is a prospect that almost no NHL team has and that could be the Sharks reality for the next decade. Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/i7OC4I]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.
