New York Islanders poised to make top pick in NHL draft, and they have several good options
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The New York Islanders are poised to make the top selection in an NHL draft that is packed with talent while missing a few staples of recent drafts.
For starters, there is no absolute lock of a No. 1 pick in this field, although the Isles are expected to take gifted defenseman Matthew Schaefer of the OHL's Erie Otters.
This draft also lacks the centralized structure that has long been a staple of this annual exercise. The 32 teams' various executives are mostly at home, not strewn across the draft floor at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles.
But the teenagers chosen in the first round Friday still will take the stage to cheers from their families and hockey fans before they begin their careers.
This draft could be more unpredictable than some in recent years, and many teams are openly contemplating a trade down from their top pick. Even the second and third picks contain intrigue: Michael Misa is thought by many to be a cut above the rest of the forward class, but Swedish prospect Anton Frondell has surged up draft boards in recent weeks.
San Jose has the No. 2 overall pick, while the Chicago Blackhawks are third. The Utah Mammoth and the Nashville Predators round out the top five.
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Winnipeg Free Press
17 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Red Wings pick is Peguis proud
Carter Bear couldn't hear or see the eruption of cheers and happy tears from family and friends back in Manitoba on Friday night — including a large gathering in his home community of Peguis First Nation. However, the 18-year-old could feel the love and support after he was selected 13th-overall by the Detroit Red Wings at the NHL draft in Los Angeles. 'That shows how proud they are. I'm proud of where I'm from — my community and my Indigenous background,' he told the Free Press via Zoom shortly after having his name called. Damian Dovarganes / The Associated Press Carter Bear (left) stands with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman Friday at the NHL Draft in Los Angeles. 'I'm proud of where I'm from — my community and my Indigenous background,' Bear said after being drafted. It takes a village, as the saying goes, and Bear was feeling especially thankful to everyone in his world who helped him get to this stage. He's the first Manitoba hockey player to be drafted in the opening round since Strathclair's Conor Geekie went 11th-overall to the Arizona Coyotes in 2022. 'My Mom and Dad, they've done so much for me,' said Bear, who was overcome with emotion at times. 'I'm out of words. This is just unreal.' The party was in full swing at the Peguis Multiplex, where community members gathered to watch one of their own under the bright lights in Hollywood. 'Everyone here knew about this evening and are super excited for him and proud of his accomplishment,' said Chief Stan Bird. 'Considering everything our community has gone through, and what we're still continuing to experience in terms of addictions and other negative things, I think this is a really positive event for our community. He's someone our young people look up to. It shows what hard work brings. It sets a really good example for our young people.' 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'We have watched Carter grow up to become an amazing hockey player and role model for First Nations kids and all Canadian kids across this country,' said Cindy Woodhouse, a close family friend who is also National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations. 'His mom and dad, Misty and Conrad Bear, have worked so hard everyday to give their kids a good life, grounded in ceremony, prayers and First Nation way of life. Thank you to Hockey Manitoba for giving Carter his grounding on his journey to the NHL. We wish Carter a good road ahead in his hockey career.' Bear is hoping to have a monster year with Everett, perhaps working his way on to the Canadian World Junior squad. 'I always want it more than other guys on the ice,' is how Bear described his on-ice approach. He wants to work on his skating and two-way game while also adding some muscle to his 6-foot, 179-pound frame. There will be plenty of people rooting for him every step of the way — and also investing in Red Wings jerseys. 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McQueen, who is from Saskatoon, had 20 points (10G, 10A) in 17 regular-season games with Brandon and scored once in three playoff contests. The 6-5, 197-pound centre projects as a true power forward and believes his back issues have been resolved. X and Bluesky: @mikemcintyrewpg Mike McIntyreReporter Mike McIntyre is a sports reporter whose primary role is covering the Winnipeg Jets. After graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College in 1995, he spent two years gaining experience at the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in 1997, where he served on the crime and justice beat until 2016. Read more about Mike. Every piece of reporting Mike produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Edmonton Journal
35 minutes ago
- Edmonton Journal
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Article content But how about playing alongside Sid Crosby, Ben? It's in the cards for the Calgary Hitmen forward after the Pittsburgh Penguins shocked many — including Kindel himself — by making him the 11th selection Friday night in the 2025 NHL Draft. 'Yeah … you always kind of dreamed about this day,' said Kindel, who was visibly surprised at being drafted so high — 10 picks better than his final rating of 21 among North American skaters in the NHL Draft Prospects Rankings.
CTV News
37 minutes ago
- CTV News
Hamilton-born Matthew Schaefer selected first overall at the 2025 NHL draft
Matthew Schaefer, left, stands with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman after being drafted by the New York Islanders during the NHL hockey draft Friday, June 27, 2025, in Los Angeles. Matthew Schaefer stood up after his name was called. The emotion of moment was too much. Thinking about the person he wished more than anything could be by his side overwhelmed the 17-year-old defenceman. His tears flowed soon after. The New York Islanders did the expected Friday, selecting Schaefer with the first pick at the 2025 NHL draft. His big moment just steps from Arena — home of the Los Angeles Kings — was also tinged with a level of sadness. The teenager's mother, Jennifer, died of breast cancer in February 2024. Schaefer, who spent two seasons with the Ontario Hockey League's Erie Otters, kissed the cancer awareness ribbon on his Islanders jersey after pulling it on, pointed to the sky and then broke down. 'I couldn't control the tears … thinking about my mom a little extra today,' said the Hamilton native. 'I know she'd be very proud. I'd love her to be here in person. But obviously cancer sucks, so she's with me in spirit. 'I know she's not suffering and she's happy, smiling down and always with me.' Schaefer had been viewed as the slam-dunk top selection for months despite not playing since December after suffering a broken collar bone while suiting up for Canada at the world junior hockey championship. His mother's passing came three months after his billet mom was struck and killed by a train in what was ruled death by suicide. Schaefer then was rocked during the world juniors when mentor and Otters owner Jim Waters died of a heart attack in December. The six-foot-two, 186-pound blueliner with elite skill at both ends of the rink joins an organization that was busy in the hours before calling his name first inside the Peacock Theater. The Islanders traded defenceman Noah Dobson to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for forward Emil Heineman and the 16th and 17th overall picks. The San Jose Sharks then took forward Michael Misa second overall. Once the hands-down presumptive first pick in 2025, the six-foot-one, 182-pound centre from Oakville, Ont., led the entire Canadian Hockey League in goals (62) and points (134) in 2024-25 playing for the OHL's Saginaw Spirit. 'It was awesome,' Misa said. 'Just a moment of relief, excitement, a little emotional with my family — they've meant so much to me and supported me.' The Chicago Blackhawks selected Swedish forward Anton Frondell at No. 3. The six-foot-one, 204-pound centre had 25 points in 29 regular-season games playing against men in Sweden's second division this season with Djurgardens. Caleb Desnoyers went fourth overall to the Utah Mammoth. The centre for Moncton of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League took home the circuit's playoff MVP honours after putting up nine goals and 21 assists in 19 games, helping the Wildcats reach the Memorial Cup. The St-Hyacinthe, Que., product also won the Mike Bossy Trophy as the league's top professional prospect. 'I had a great feeling with them,' Desnoyers said of the Mammoth. 'Heard a lot of great things.' The Nashville Predators then picked Brady Martin to round out the top-5. Instead of being in Los Angeles for the draft, the centre for the OHL's Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds was back home working on his family farm in Elora, Ont. The Philadelphia Flyers took forward Porter Martone of the OHL's Brampton Steelheads sixth overall before the Boston Bruins picked Boston College centre James Hagens at No. 7. Jake O'Brien of the OHL's Brantford Bulldogs landed eighth to the Seattle Kraken, Radim Mrtka of the Western Hockey League's Seattle Thunderbirds went ninth to the Buffalo Sabres and Roger McQueen of the WHL's Brandon Wheat Kings joined the Anaheim Ducks at No. 10. The 2025 showcase event marks the NHL's first decentralized draft in a non-pandemic environment — a format similar to the NFL and NBA where teams make selections remotely instead of all being in the same venue on-site. No decision has been made on how the draft will look next year, but deputy commissioner Bill Daly said earlier Friday the vote in favour of decentralization among teams this time around was 26-6. Celebrities and special guests named each pick after Schaefer, including actor Adam Sandler, who announced Hagens going to the Bruins. 'One of the coolest moments I've ever had,' Hagens said. 'It's something that doesn't feel real.' There were, however, some hiccups. Players entered the so-called 'NHL Draft Room' after getting picked to speak with their new general managers, but one example of things not going exactly according to plan came when Boston's video feed froze as Hagens was speaking to the team's brass. The Vancouver Canucks owned the highest selection among Canadian clubs at No. 15. The draft continues Saturday with rounds two through seven. The night, however, belonged to Schaefer. 'I don't usually cry as much as my dad and brother,' he said. 'My dad's like, 'Ah, you won't cry.' And then I'm kind of biting my tongue, and my name gets called, and then they start flowing. 'Happy tears … I just wish my mom could be here.' By Joshua Clipperton This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 27, 2025.
