The 2025 NHL Draft is just five days away, and the New York Islanders are currently on the clock.

It is looking increasingly likely that the Islanders will select defenseman Matthew Schaefer with the No. 1 pick, but the rest of the weekend is filled with questions. 

As draft day looms, these questions should begin to be answered.

Stefen Rosner and Michael Ostrower wrote this story. 

Will the Islanders Acquire Another Top 10 Pick?

Heading into 2024-25, Hauppauge, Long Island native, James Hagens, was the presumptive No. 1 pick.

After a point-per-game season at Boston College, he has fallen to a likely top-five pick, although some have projected he could drop to sixth or seventh, to the Philadelphia Flyers and Boston Bruins, respectively. 

While general manag Mathieu Darche isn’t showing his cards as to who he will select, all signs point to 17-year-old Matthew Schaefer throwing on the Isles sweater at the podium this upomcing Friday. 

But that doesn’t mean that the Islanders won’t try to trade back into the first round to select Hagens. If Darche is high on Hagens – the belief is that he has spoken with every team that owns picks No. 2 through No. 7 – and a deal makes sense, don’t be shocked if the first-time general manager makes a splash. 

Opportunity For Darche To Make Waves Darche did speak with Utah GM Bill Armstrong at the 2025 NHL Combine.

Whether it’s the Utah Mammoth at No. 4, the Chicago Blackhawks at No. 3, Phialdelphia or Boston, these teams have all been rumored to be willing to move their first-round selections. 

However, rumors like this circulate every draft season, so whether the Islanders are serious about moving back into the top ten will become known Friday night – likely not before. 

What Is Up With Romanov, Dobson & Pageau?

With the Islanders reportedly eyeing a second top 10 pick, three names have been thrown around as potential trade chips: Alexander Romanov, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, and Noah Dobson.

The Islanders' surplus of left-handed defensemen reveals why Romanov, a restricted free agent (RFA), could be available. 

Stefen Rosner reported via RG Media that the Bruins and Flyers had inquired about Romanov. The belief is that Utah also showed interest. 

Bruins, Flyers Showing Interest in Islanders’ Alexander Romanov Boston and Philadelphia are monitoring Alexander Romanov as the Islanders weigh their next moves ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft

Romanov was acquired from the Montreal Canadiens at the 2022 NHL Draft in an attempt to find Dobson’s long-term partner, but the two are yet to take the leap together.

While the Islanders' lack of right-handed defenseman makes Dobson of high importance, both Ryan Pulock and Scott Mayfield are signed through 2030 and have full trade protection through 2027, meaning the only realistic way to cut costs on the right side is by avoiding a Dobson extension.

Pulock and Mayfield combine for just $9.65 million in salary, and Dobson, who is an RFA, could land close to $10 million annually on his next deal. 

This would result in the Islanders paying the right side of their defense nearly $20 million, around 21% of their 2025-26 payroll.

While drafting Schaefer No. 1 overall shouldn’t impact Dobson in terms of roster needs, given that they play different sides and there aren’t any RHD ready in the pipeline, the money that Dobson will command does make things interesting, 

The Islanders did re-sign Adam Boqvist to a one-year deal worth $850,000 and although he isn’t a top-pairing defenseman, he clearly earned the trust of head coach Patrick Roy and could play a middle-pairing role. 

Now let’s get to Pageau, who has one season left on his deal at $5 million annually with a 16-team modified no-trade clause. 

Moving Pageau would likely come down to two things: How do the Islanders view prospect Calum Ritchie and is Mathew Barzal staying at wing. 

Ritchie was acquired by the Colorado Avalanche in the Brock Nelson trade, and he comes with seven games of NHL experience.

He was one of the OHL’s top players in 2024-25 and is expected to compete for an NHL spot with the Islanders in 2025-26, although it is possible he will begin the season in Bridgeport.

If he makes the roster, it will likely be as the third-line center. If Barzal is going back to center – that’s his natural position and fits his skill set much better as a transitioner – that would create a logjam down the center of the ice with Ritchie, Pageau, Casey Cizikas, and Kyle MacLean fighting for two spots.  

Pageau has value with teams like the Boston Bruins, the Vegas Golden Knights, the Edmonton Oilers, the Montreal Canadiens, and the Ottawa Senators, all inquiring about his availability at one point or another. However, Pageau will have more value at the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline if he’s able to mimic his solid 2024-25 campaign. 

Pageau Gaining Trade Interest Leading Up To 2025 NHL Draft The Boston Bruins are the latest team to inquire about the Islanders forward, who has one year left on his deal.

While the Islanders do not have to make decisions on these players by the draft, they likely will, as whoever remains on the roster come free agency will likely be around at the start of the 2025-26 season.

The aforementioned players would not exclusively be moved for a top 10 pick in 2025, either, though that would be the most likely outcome.

How Will Health Of Roster Impact Draft?

If the Islanders are making trades at the draft, outside of trying to move up and select Hagens, it would be salary-cap clearing moves. 

However, there are injuries that need to be discussed.

The beleif is that forward Bo Horvat (lower body) and Mathew Barzal (lower body) will be ready to go for the start of training camp. 

But, what about goaltender Semyon Varlamov?

The 37-year-old has dealt with injuries the last few seasons and did not appear in a game following Nov. 29 due to a lower-body injury that ultimately required season-ending surgery. 

“I expect to be ready for next season,” Varlamov said at his end of the year media availability. “Everything is going well with rehab and physiotherapy.The main focus for me to finish the rehab, hopefully soon, and have a good summer of training, and then ready for September for training camp.”

“I want to make sure I'm ready 100% for the next season,” Varlamov added. “I want to show up for the training camp by feeling good without any issues. That's the main goal.”

But, if Varlamov is not going to be ready and the Islanders are aware of that, will they use any of their picks after the first round to trade for a younger backup?

Islanders Should Take Flyer On Goaltender Ilya Samsonov Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Ilya Samsonov will be testing the free agent market, according to Sportsnet’s Luke Fox.

Marcus Hogberg, who signed a two-year deal with the Islanders back in May of 2024, looked to be a serviceable backup once Varlamov went down. 

In seven games before the 4 Nations Face-Off Tournament, he went 2-2 with a 1.45 GAA and a .947 SV%. However, after the tournament, he struggled, going 0-6-3 with a 5.00 GAA and an .821 SV%, which raised uncertainty about his 2025-26 outlook.

If the Islanders don’t think Hogberg can be a reliable backup for starting netmidner Ilya Sorokin, they’ll need to bring in someone, whether at the draft or in free agency. 

Varlamov has two years left on his deal worth $2.75 million. 

Who Leads The Draft Process?

With a new general manager in town, it will be relevant to see which executives are most involved in the process.

Few changes have been made within the organization’s front office since Darche was hired on May 23, but that does not mean the executive staff is set.

Ryan Bowness was hired as Assistant General Manager and Director of Player Personnel, and other changes may be forthcoming, specifically among Darche’s assistants.

What Ryan Bowness's Job With Islanders Will Entail The Islanders have a new assistant GM.

The amateur scouting staff remains intact, but it will be important to follow how much, and to what extent, Darche relies on his inherited co-workers, especially assistant general managers Chris Lamoriello and Steve Pellegrini.

How Active Is GM Darche?

When hired by the Islanders, Darche affirmed his confidence in the Islanders' core as a playoff-caliber team, but that does not mean additional moves are not necessary to get back to the playoffs.

The Islanders have circulated in trade rumors both as buyers and sellers, and Darche’s activity will be an area of focus.

New York has a projected $20.94 million in available cap space prior to a Dobson or Romanov extension, and the upcoming free agent class is relatively weak.

However, many restricted free agents have surfaced in rumors, led by JJ Peterka, Gabriel Vilardi, Mason McTavish, and Marco Rossi.

Whether Darche would actually pull the trigger on such a move is unknown, but there is enough talent available to both get younger and faster, two areas he mentioned as a focus.

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