Dealing with a ghastly prospect pool over the last seven years, the NY Islanders ' fortunes began to change at last year's trade deadline. Shipping Brock Nelson to the Colorado Avalanche in a deal that saw Calum Ritchie come to Long Island in return, it was the first step in an important off-season.
The Avs' top prospect and one of the NHL's top 20 prospects, Ritchie, brought life and hope to what was looking like a bleak future for the blue and orange.
Schaefer and Ritchie making a connection
Then the Islanders' fortunes and future were enhanced by winning the NHL Draft Lottery, despite only 3.