The NY Islanders knew nearly two months ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft that they’d be making the first overall pick. The rest of their draft strategy changed the day of the first round, receiving two additional first-round picks from the Montreal Canadiens for Noah Dobson.
After taking the consensus top-ranked prospect in Matthew Schaefer first overall and failing to make a draft-day trade with the Boston Bruins to select James Hagens, the Isles owned the 16th and 17th overall picks.
With Mathieu in charge of his first draft, the first-year GM had Trent Klatt, Director of Amateur Scouting, at his side.