13 hours ago
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Breaking down the likely top three picks the Islanders, who have the No. 1 pick, will have to choose from in the 2025 NHL Draft:
Matthew Schaefer
Height: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 183 pounds
Position: Defense | Shoots: Left
Team: Erie Otters (OHL)
Stats: 7 goals, 15 assists (17 games played)
The skinny: Schaefer missed the start of the season with mononucleosis and then broke his collarbone at World Juniors, but rose to the top of draft boards anyway with an excellent season when he did play.
He made the cutoff for the 2025 draft by just 10 days, so is one of the youngest available prospects and can skate like the wind.
Schaefer is a two-way D who can move the puck at an elite level and make plays offensively.
Michael Misa
Height: 6-foot-1 | Weight: 185 pounds
Position: Center | Shoots: Left
Team: Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
Stats: 62 goals, 72 assists (65 games played)
The skinny: Misa, who gained exceptional status to join the OHL at age 15, rose up draft boards this season after moving from wing to center.
He’s an excellent skater and playmaker with the best shot of anyone in the top tier of this draft.
His two-way game also looks solid for a young player, with a strong checking game and hockey IQ.
James Hagens
Height: 5-foot-11 | Weight: 176 pounds
Position: Center | Shoots: Left
Team: Boston College (NCAA)
Stats: 11 goals, 26 assists, 37 games
The skinny: If the Islanders draft Hagens, it will be a homecoming story — the 18-year-old grew up in Hauppauge as a die-hard Islanders fan and would surely love nothing more than to make his debut at UBS Arena.
The industry, however, currently sees him as a step behind Schaefer and Misa in the race for No. 1.
Hagens might be the best passer and playmaker in the draft and can skate with anyone, but there are some questions about his scoring.
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