Good Morning, Islanders Country.
Draft night is approaching, and as fans, these are the nights we live for.
The draft. The No. 1 pick. The promise of a franchise-changing moment wrapped in a crisp jersey and a nervous 17/18-year-old’s handshake. Forget the cold days of February, back-to-backs, and the fourth-line dump-and-chase — this is hope.
This isn’t just a draft pick. It’s the reward for unwavering belief. It’s the hockey gods tipping their hat to a fanbase that has been through enough, long enough.
Islanders fans deserve the smiles that Friday night will bring.
The No. 1 pick belongs to you — the diehards in Section 329, the next generation in their first Barzal jersey, the ones who stayed up late on west coast swings and woke up early to argue line combos. The ones that renew their season tickets every year despite the cost, the parking, and the record.
It’s your patience. Your pain. Your passion. Your moment.
Enjoy.
📰 NEWS: Islanders fans, get ready — everything changes Friday night. With the #1 overall pick in the NHL Draft and a new GM at the helm, co-owner Jon Ledecky says the message is clear: “The future is now.”
Speaking to Newsday’s Andrew Gross, Ledecky couldn't stop praising Mathieu Darche, who’s just one month into the GM role but already turning heads. “Mathieu has done a fabulous job,” Ledecky said. “This is the first step in building a younger, faster, more exciting team.”
Who’s going first overall? League insiders still expect Matthew Schaefer, a dynamic OHL defenseman, but nothing’s set in stone. And the buzz around Long Island native James Hagens hasn’t died down either. Could Darche trade for another top-10 pick? Ledecky stayed tight-lipped: “That’s a hockey ops decision.”
One move everyone’s loving? Matt Martin is joining the front office as Special Assistant to the GM. “A fantastic move on so many levels,” Ledecky said. "Matt’s always wanted to stay in the game." Ownership is giving Darche full control — the same trust they gave Lou. And now, with a fresh voice, a top draft pick, and a clear direction, it finally feels like a new era is here.
A Long Island Family Affair
It’s been a long road from early-morning youth hockey practices in Hauppauge to the bright lights of Los Angeles, but this Friday night, James Hagens’ NHL dream becomes reality. When his name is called at the Peacock Theater, the 18-year-old will likely become the highest-drafted Long Islander in NHL history, surpassing Mike Komisarek’s 2001 seventh-overall slot.
“It’s pride,” said James’ father, Michael Hagens. “He’s worked his whole life for this.” Hagens grew up an Islanders fan, and says he tunes out the draft chatter. “The media has no effect on my life,” he told Newsday. “I just want to play hockey.”
With 60+ friends and family flying to L.A. to support him, the moment won’t just belong to James — it’ll belong to the entire Hagens family, and to every Long Islander who’s laced up skates with NHL dreams. Now, could the Isles trade up again to “Bring Hagens Home”? Stay tuned.
Party Time!
There is still time to get tickets for the 2025 New York Islanders Draft Party at UBS Arena on June 27. Tickets are available now for just $5 with proceeds benefiting the Islanders Children’s Foundation and can be purchased HERE.
Hear directly from New York Islanders GM Mathieu Darche at 5:30 PM before he heads into the War Room
A star-studded lineup of Isles players past and present making appearances throughout the event, including Ryan Pulock, Casey Cizikas, JG Pageau, Scott Mayfield, Butch Goring, John Tonelli, Shawn Bates, Eric Cairns, Steve Webb, Benoit Hogue and Dennis Seidenberg.
🎥 ISLES REWIND: On June 26, 2015, the Isles entered the NHL Draft without a first or second-round pick but traded Griffin Reinhart to Edmonton for the 16th and 33rd picks, using the 16th to select future franchise star Mathew Barzal. They then packaged the 33rd and 72nd picks to move up and grab Anthony Beauvillier at No. 28, turning a pickless start into a cornerstone draft.
🔗 The NY Islanders should be all in on acquiring Jordan Kyrou by Michael Stahurski, Eyes on Isles “Jordan Kyrou's name has been floated about in the rumor mill as a player the St. Louis Blues might be interested in moving on from, as they believe Jimmy Snuggerud could slide into Kyrou's role in the top-6.”
🔗 Mathieu Darche’s Islanders job only gets harder after making the No. 1 pick by Ethan Sears, New York Post “Even if the lottery balls numbered 7-11-12-13 had not fallen and the Islanders were going into Friday with the mid-first-round pick they were originally projected to have, this week would mark a critical test of Mathieu Darche as general manager.”
And we leave you with this…Isles AI is getting crazy.
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Two Possible Trade Options
1. The Utah Dobson Trade situation works for both teams. Getting Hagens at #4 and hopefully getting RHD Maveric Lamoureux prospect back is a great deal for Islanders. Islanders might have to add something to make this happen. Utah gets the tremendous potential in Dobson. Dobson might flourish in Utah surrounded by a group of big, tough, skilled teammates. When you leave the Island your offensive numbers get a boost automatically lol 😂 To me Utah needs this more than the Islanders do. You know Dobson will do well with a change of scenery. I don’t blame the Islanders on Dobson, they handled that kid wonderfully. Dobson never put his big boy pants on, and maned up. In Utah he doesn’t have to concern himself with that they have a big team. The Islanders and Patrick Roy may have come to terms with Dobson not having the mental and physical makeup to be that stud two way defender. Lamoureax has had some injuries, and is not a PP guy. Think Romanov but 6’7” and willing to fight. Another all around stud defender. Them playing together gives you a second shut down pair like Peleck and Pulock( yes they haven’t played like it but I think they still have the ability) Boqvist is going to get the opportunity of a lifetime playing the point on the PP. It will be interesting to see if he takes advantage. He is highly skilled but needs to commit himself. He is at the end of that 1st round label opportunities, so it’s either make it or head back overseas.
2. You know Barry sitting at number 5 would like to pick the Islanders pocket on Dobson. I’m sure he would dangle this pick to Darche. To me it’s not enough, maybe if they add Matthew Wood. He is a big prospect that may work out. Of course you make the deal only if you have unwavering faith in James Hagens being something special. If I’m the Islanders I make that deal. Hagens goes back to BC for another year, and Wood plugs into the Islanders lineup. He is a big body winger and will get ample opportunity to prove himself. Wood makes his living in and around the crease. Not a great skater, but he is big and can shoot and collect garbage around the goal. Might be a nice fit with Ritchie. He could be that elusive Power Forward at 6’5” that comes out of nowhere. Boom or Bust Player, but with enough intrigue!