The NHL Draft, and the Islanders’ fifth first-overall pick in their history, is finally in sight. The consensus/echo chamber is getting louder and louder about Matthew Schafer being the logical and perhaps very special selection.
We’ll see. The kid’s backstory of tragedies (losing his billet mother and then his own mother in pretty quick succession) continues to get headlines, so thankfully he’s cool with talking about it and channeling it into a positive space. But you’re also seeing more prospect watchers and coaches say or perhaps talk themselves into how he’ll be something special, how he controls play, how he Drew Doughty’s this and [insert comparable] that.
We can only hope! (If the Isles draft him, I mean.)
Islanders/Draft News
- Schaeffer honors his late mother but does not let tragedy define him. (That’s the hockey media’s jop.) [Sportsnet | TSN]
- The Detroit Red Wings, now in Year 9 of their epic rebuild, have reportedly asked about Noah Dobson, which is cute. [THN]
- Another take on why Long Island’s own James Hagen fell from the top spot of the rankings. [Sportsnet]
- Five more Isles thoughts five days before the draft. [THN]
The Athletic’s current Isles coverage is all listicles, which…ah, yes:
Today’s my last day with The Athletic. Been a great few years.
Thanks for following along, #Isles, #NYR and #NHL fans — looking forward to what’s next!
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNHL) June 17, 2025
Elsewhere
- Oh, lo, the Mitch Marner chronicles: Horrible asset management by the Leafs [Spotsnet jukebox] The Leafs were “offered a meeting” with Marner but probably won’t take it. [Leafs Nation]
- 32 Thoughts: More on that drama, and the Connor McDavid free agency countdown that will dominate oxygen consumption until it doesn’t. [Sportsnet]
- The Oilers also need a goalie upgrade, which is much easier said than done at this time. [Sportsnet]
- The Kraken dumped Andre Burakovsky on the Blackhawks. [NHL]
- Jonathan Toews shall join his hometown Jets on a bonus-laden deal. [TSN]
- Will Brad Marchand re-sign in Florida? Give me a contract, he says. [TSN]
- Some tweet highlights and clips from the Panthers’ parading and partying. [Sportsnet]
- That includes Czech tennis great Martina Navratilova joining them again. [NHL]
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