The hierarchy inside this 2025 NHL Draft, the place the Islanders vaulted into the highest general choose in surprising vogue on Monday night time, seems comparatively easy for the brand new president of hockey operations to navigate when one is employed.
The highest three, it’s typically agreed upon, are defenseman Matthew Schaefer adopted by forwards Michael Misa and James Hagens, with Schaefer holding prime billing in 13 of 17 rankings compiled by Elite Prospects.
At first look, that may be a tad complicated given Schaefer performed simply 17 video games this previous season within the Ontario Hockey League, lacking time first with mononucleosis after which with a damaged collarbone suffered at World Junior Championships.
It’s what he did in these video games, together with numerous worldwide competitions over the previous 12 months, mixed together with his age — Schaefer doesn’t flip 18 till September 5 and is without doubt one of the youngest gamers on this draft class — that has him on the prime of all these rankings proper now.
