New York Islanders: If Isles win one of the 2 lottery spots, then who would you like them to select?

[SI]

Matthew Scahefer, LHD, 6'2 183
Links -

Matthew Schaefer Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

Statistics of Matthew Schaefer, a hockey player from Stoney Creek, ONT born Sep 5 2007 who was active from 2023 to 2025.

www.hockeydb.com

Matthew Schaefer - 2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile - The Hockey Writers NHL Entry Draft Latest News, Analysis & More

Although there isn't a consensus first-overall pick this year, Matthew Schaefer has quickly become an early favourite as the top choice.

thehockeywriters.com

Matthew Schaefer | Matthew Schaefer Profile | Matthew Schaefer Scouting Report 2025

Matthew Schaefer scouting report for NHL Draft. Profile contains Matthew Schaefer stats, videos and written bios

www.mynhldraft.com

STATS
24-25 17 GP 7 G 15 A 22 P
23-24 56 GP 3 G 14 A 17 P

Comparables - Noah Hanifin, Bowen Byram, ZacK Werenski, Luke Hughes

My concern - those stats are very underwhelming, maybe it is different if he is healthy this year, but less than 85 CHL games in his career.

Michael Misa, C/LW, 6'1 185
Links -

Michael Misa - 2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile - The Hockey Writers Latest News, Analysis & More

Michael Misa is ripping up the Ontario Hockey League this season and will be in the conversation for first overall in the 2025 NHL Draft.

thehockeywriters.com

Michael Misa Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

Statistics of Michael Misa, a hockey player from Oakville, ONT born Feb 16 2007 who was active from 2022 to 2025.

www.hockeydb.com

Michael Misa | Michael Misa Profile | Michael Misa Scouting Report 2025

Michael Misa scouting report for NHL Draft. Profile contains Michael Misa stats, videos and written bios

www.mynhldraft.com

The case for Michael Misa as the top forward prospect in 2025

Michael Misa is a projected top-five pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, but there's an argument he deserves to go even higher.

nhlentrydraft.com

Comparables - Stamkos, Marner, Point

My concern - Not making Team Canada for this winter's World Junior Championship is a red flag for me. What did the coaches see in his game that gave them pause? He may end up playing LW in the NHL.

The Goods - Could be a sure-fire top-line LH shot the Isles need... a sniper. If he can stick at C, this very well could be the most talented and most skilled player Mathew Barzal will have ever played with in the NHL. That 1 -2 punch could be dynamite.

James Hagens, C, 5'101/2" 176
Links -

James Hagens – 2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile - The Hockey Writers NHL Entry Draft Latest News, Analysis & More

A point per game player as a freshman, James Hagens continues to dazzle and showcase his skillset as a top prospect in the 2025 NHL Draft.

thehockeywriters.com

James Hagens | James Hagens Profile | James Hagens Scouting Report 2025

James Hagens scouting report for NHL Draft. Profile contains James Hagens stats, videos and written bios

www.mynhldraft.com

James Hagens Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

Statistics of James Hagens, a hockey player from Hauppauge, NY born Nov 3 2006 who was active from 2022 to 2025.

www.hockeydb.com

James Hagens Scouting Report: 2025 NHL Draft #3

For our next scouting report of top NHL prospects at Last Word on Hockey, a top 2025 prospect, James Hagen is the next for us to bring you.

lastwordonsports.com

My concern - Although he was a PPG player at Boston and was a gem for the US at WJC - I wanted to see more production even in year 1 of the NCAA. On the smaller side.

The Goods - He turned 18 in mid-November - NCAA is a much tougher league than the CHL - I can just imagine what Hagens would do in the OHL, 100 points easy. Does that change people's minds? When you watch him play, he already has the poise of an NHL player, it's like watching Quinn Hughes when he was in the NCAA. Long Island kid narrative is too exciting a prospect. Hagens could be ready after one more year of NCAA, Frozen Four done, and directly to the NHL.

Comparables - Jack Hughes, Clayton Keller, and Zegras

Anton Frondell, C, 6'1 196
Links -

Anton Frondell – 2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile - The Hockey Writers NHL Entry Draft Latest News, Analysis & More

Anton Frondell's strength lies in his ability to combine his strong awareness, drive and hockey IQ with his 200-foot game.

thehockeywriters.com

Anton Frondell and what we learned on Day 7 at the U18 Worlds

Anton Frondell, a projected top-10 pick in the 2025 NHL draft, is leaning on his pro experience, plus other day 7 standouts.

nhlentrydraft.com

Anton Frondell Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

Statistics of Anton Frondell, a hockey player born May 7 2007 who was active from 2023 to 2025.

www.hockeydb.com

Anton Frondell | Anton Frondell Profile | Anton Frondell Scouting Report 2025

Anton Frondell scouting report for NHL Draft. Profile contains Anton Frondell stats, videos and written bios

www.mynhldraft.com

NHL comparables - Anton Lundell, JEE, Nick Suzuki

Porter Martone, RW, 6'3 207
Links -

Porter Martone – 2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile - The Hockey Writers NHL Entry Draft Latest News, Analysis & More

Brampton Steelheads forward Porter Martone brings a great balance of skill, a winning mindset and a high-level of intensity on the ice.

thehockeywriters.com

Porter Martone Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

Statistics of Porter Martone, a hockey player from Peterborough, ONT born Oct 26 2006 who was active from 2022 to 2025.

www.hockeydb.com

Porter Martone | Porter Martone Profile | Porter Martone Scouting Report 2025

Porter Martone scouting report for NHL Draft. Profile contains Porter Martone stats, videos and written bios

www.mynhldraft.com

NHL comparables - Tkachuk Brothers, Josh Anderson, Tom Wilson, Corey Perry

 

[PhysicalGraffiti]

I like Hagens. The local factor plays a small role, but I've been high on him for a while. I think he will transition well to the pros and could help us sooner than later.

 

[xECK29x]

I’d trade down from 1OA a few spots if we can secure Hagens. I don’t really get the hype with Schaefer

 

[JJ18Sniper]

If the scouts unanimously agree that Schaefer is a true #1D, not just top pairing, it will be hard to pass up. These type of players are hard to get. If his comparable ends up falling more towards Noah Hanafin/Byram as mentioned above, I'd be more interested in trading back.

Slots 2-4 seem to have players rated on similar tiers, so it opens some options. I'd imagine the Sharks will be very interested in the defenseman and may be willing to pay for it.

The center/wing debate on Hagens and Misa is something they need to sort out.

 

[miscs75]

If they go #1, Schaefer is the consensus here based on all reports. If they wind up #2, Hagens honestly. Once they start putting sniper in scouting reports, I’m getting flashbacks of Walterson and Bellows. Not interested in the repeat of that again. Same with Eiserman coming up too early because they coax him out of college and the kid just wrecks his development.

 

[leeroggy]

Anton Frondell, C, 6'1 196

NHL comparables - Anton Lundell, JEE, Nick Suzuki

I'll gladly take the next Nick Suzuki!

 

[PK Cronin]

Defenseman first if the BPA is a close race, it takes them longer to figure it out than it does forwards. You grab the defenseman you need, the team will still be as bad the next year and get another top pick which can be used for a top forward if they're close to the BPA.

 

[saintunspecified]

What's really too bad is that Misa wasn't at U20, and Schaefer got hurt early.

Does anyone know anything about Schaefer's health? Can't seem to find out much about it. It's been a long time since the WJC.

Still, I fully understand the hype with Schaefer - he's puck dominant. Players like Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes control games in the current NHL, and it imo he has that skillset. How he projects seems obvious to me.

idk why - maybe it's just the way he looks - Misa reminds me of Stephane Richer.

Hagens I've seen the most of. He had some confidence issues with his shot, but i think he'll solve it. But... that confidence issue never interfered with his overall game. And that's what I like about him - he just always gives you what you expect from him. I guess the question for him is will he be Hischier, Nugent-Hopkins, or more? But he won't be less - he's super safe.

If it's #1 overall I go Schaefer. If it's #2 and Schaefer is gone, I go Hagens.

 

[SCMURRAY]

On a team that needs a boost on offense, speed, and a better PP then I think its a toss up of Hagens vs Misa. They project to be the players the Isles need. I lean toward Hagens. Yes he's smaller (same size as Hughes BTW) but I think the NCAA has better competition to transition into the NHL. He's an Islander fan too so that helps.

 

[MJF]

I'd take Misa with the first pick. You can't coach a shot like his. This team has very little in the way of skilled hands. Misa is bigger than Hagens and not filled out yet so I'm hopeful he'll add some upper body strength. We need finishers. That's Misa.

 

[miscs75]

I'll gladly take the next Nick Suzuki!

Ryan Suzuki is a career minor leaguer. He screams future Islanders player along the likes of Brett Lindros, David Toews and Blake Kessel.

 

[leeroggy]

Ryan Suzuki is a career minor leaguer. He screams future Islanders player along the likes of Brett Lindros, David Toews and Blake Kessel.

What are you talking about?
I was responding to Frondell's NHL comparison being Nick Suzuki.

 

[mm11]

love the hypothetical question. Since we pick #2, I'm going Hagens because I never saw these 17 year old skinny kids play, and I'm just super smart and great at what I do . LGI

 

[Throttle]

Drafting a player for a PR move is never a good idea.

 

[doublechili]

I won't vote yet because I haven't researched enough, but based on what I've seen/read I'd lean towards Martone or Hagens. When I watch their videos I see guys making what would be really nice NHL plays, and they drive play. I need to look into Schaefer and Frondell more to give an opinion on them.

I want to like Misa, but when I watch his video I get MDC vibes. I'm not seeing a guy drive play. I'm seeing him convert on great opportunities, which is nice, but I'd aim higher with a top 2 pick. Scoring from the slot in the OHL is very different from starring in the NHL (and you want a star with a 2nd overall pick).

 

[MJF]

Don’t overthink this folks. Whoever it is, draft the best finisher. The Islanders need skilled hands.

 

[doublechili]

MDC displayed great hands in the OHL. Unfortunately, he couldn't get those same chances in the NHL because the rest of his game wasn't there. I'd rather draft a guy who you see making NHL plays.

 

[miscs75]

Don’t overthink this folks. Whoever it is, draft the best finisher. The Islanders need skilled hands.

Please for the sake of this franchise, no more snipers with NHL ready shots. Too much PTSD with Bellows and Wahlstrom. Just take the best player no matter the position at this point and develop accordingly.

 

[MJF]

Please for the sake of this franchise, no more snipers with NHL ready shots. Too much PTSD with Bellows and Wahlstrom. Just take the best player no matter the position at this point and develop accordingly.

Another indicator of just how damaged Isles fans are.

 

[miscs75]

Another indicator of just how damaged Isles fans are.

Well MDC, Bellows and Wahlstrom all have skating issues and it showed. JHS is just a quack. All 4 were drafted with 1st round picks.

 

[SI90]

If we got 1st overall I’d see if team at #3 wanted to move up for Schaefer and then take whoever is left over at 3 between Misa or Hagens.

Some people think Hagens and drop with Martone and/or Frondell potentially going ahead of him.

I still really like Hangens although Misa would be hard to pass up.

 

[MJF]

Well MDC, Bellows and Wahlstrom all have skating issues and it showed. JHS is just a quack. All 4 were drafted with 1st round picks.

Dal Colle was BPA at a time that the game was changing to an even more speed-skill based game. Bellows and Wahlstrom also had skating issues and shots that work in the AHL because they skate well enough to get to prime scoring areas in the minor leagues. Ho-Sang was Snow’s home run swing that went PFFT as expected by many scouts.

I don’t see the NHL game shifting away from speed/skill, so I wouldn’t be scared of taking a sniper like Misa with a pick that ended up in the top 3.

 

[miscs75]

Dal Colle was BPA at a time that the game was changing to an even more speed-skill based game. Bellows and Wahlstrom also had skating issues and shots that work in the AHL because they skate well enough to get to prime scoring areas in the minor leagues. Ho-Sang was Snow’s home run swing that went PFFT as expected by many scouts.

I don’t see the NHL game shifting away from speed/skill, so I wouldn’t be scared of taking a sniper like Misa with a pick that ended up in the top 3.

With the player comparisons, I’d personally rather go Hagens if he’ll develop into a Jack Hughes. Ideally you take him and let him play 2 more if not all 3 in BC to get stronger and develop his game even more. There’s no real fear of him not signing an ELC at the end unless they shaft him with the contract but I doubt that. I don’t think any of the top 5 are even NHL ready to begin with but besides that point, this team needs to do what they did with Devon Toews after drafting him instead of Josh Bailey/Tim Connolly.

 

[MJF]

With the player comparisons, I’d personally rather go Hagens if he’ll develop into a Jack Hughes. Ideally you take him and let him play 2 more if not all 3 in BC to get stronger and develop his game even more. There’s no real fear of him not signing an ELC at the end unless they shaft him with the contract but I doubt that. I don’t think any of the top 5 are even NHL ready to begin with but besides that point, this team needs to do what they did with Devon Toews after drafting him instead of Josh Bailey/Tim Connolly.

The thing about Hagens is his build is also like Jack Hughes. Hughes is made of glass. Misa is bigger. If these 2 are similar offensively I’d opt for the guy who is a little bigger.

 

[miscs75]

The thing about Hagens is his build is also like Jack Hughes. Hughes is made of glass. Misa is bigger. If these 2 are similar offensively I’d opt for the guy who is a little bigger.

I agree based on that but it also depends on playstyle. If one is the safe pick who will be similar to MDC and the other has more of an upside, I’d rather go with the upside. Still will be interesting come Monday to see where this team winds up for the draft. We could luck out finally but I doubt it one bit. I feel Iike if they win the lottery, the magic mystery balls will make the Rags move up too just because.