Previewing every NHL team with 1 chart: New York Islanders

The New York Islanders won the 2025 NHL Draft lottery despite holding only a 3.5% chance, allowing them to select defenseman Matthew Schaefer with the first overall pick. Schaefer had missed most of his draft year due to injury and was not expected to be on the same level as recent top picks Macklin Celebrini and Connor Bedard. Despite the low expectations for an 18-year-old defenseman transitioning directly to the NHL, Schaefer has since become a transformative figure for the Islanders organization.