For years, the New York Islanders were criticized for having one of the weakest prospect pools in the league. That narrative has shifted dramatically this summer. In Corey Pronman’s 2025 prospect pipeline rankings for The Athletic, the Islanders vaulted from 25th last year to No. 9 overall, one of the steepest climbs of any NHL franchise.
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.