Islanders secure No. 1 pick in 2025 NHL draft lottery, jumping 9 positions
The New York Islanders pulled off a surprising win in the NHL draft lottery, securing the coveted No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft. Despite having just a 3.5 percent chance of winning, the Islanders managed to leapfrog over nine other teams, including the last-place San Jose Sharks.
This marks the fifth time in team history that the Islanders will have the first overall pick, with their last top selection being John Tavares in 2009. The Sharks, who had the best odds of winning the lottery, will now pick second, while the Chicago Blackhawks will pick third.
Utah also made a significant jump in the draft order, moving from 14th to fourth after winning the second lottery drawing. The rules limiting teams from moving up more than 10 spots in the draft order played a role in these unexpected outcomes.
The prospect pool for this year’s draft is not considered as deep as in previous years, but there are still top talents to be had. Erie Otters defenseman Matthew Schaefer is NHL Central Scouting’s top-ranked North American prospect, despite missing the latter part of the season due to injury. Schaefer is touted as a future NHL All-Star, with a dynamic playing style that can influence game outcomes.
On the international front, center Anton Frondell and right wing Victor Eklund of Djurgarden in Sweden’s second division league are the top-ranked prospects. Frondell had an impressive season, posting the second-most points by a second-division player aged 17 or younger.
The draft itself will take place in Los Angeles, with the first round scheduled for June 27 and the remaining six rounds the following day. Top prospects will gather for a pre-draft combine in Buffalo next month.
Overall, the NHL draft lottery produced some unexpected results and set the stage for an exciting draft day. The Islanders’ triumph and the emergence of top prospects like Schaefer and Frondell add to the anticipation surrounding this year’s draft class.
