New York adds defensive depth by snagging the versatile blueliner in the fourth round, bringing Kuehne’s physical presence and high-upside transition game to the surging prospect pipeline.
In the fourth round of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, the New York Islanders selected right-shot defenseman Lincoln Kuehne out of Arizona State University in the NCAA.
Kuehne scored one goal with one assist for two points in 30 games last season, logging limited minutes for the Arizona squad. The 6’2” defenseman previously played with the USNTDP.
The Fargo, North Dakota native is a steady, rangy blueliner with above-average skating and shutdown ability. His 205-pound frame enables him to play with physicality, and while he won’t produce many points, Kuehne can break the puck out and make the occasional play up ice.
Kuehne joins the shallowest area of the Islanders’ prospect pool: the right side. New York added yet another left-shot defenseman by drafting Malte Gustafsson yesterday, so the right-shot Kuehne will serve as a necessary supplement for the farm system.
The Islanders have only one other right-shot defensive prospect inTomas Machu out of Providence College. Now, general manager Mathieu Darche has bolstered this positional weakness — at least in part.
The Islanders are slated to select three more times, once each in rounds five, six, and seven. Day 2 of the NHL Draft is available to watch on NHL Network, Sportsnet, and ESPN+.
Kai Russell wrote this story.
