The biggest talking point surrounding the NY Islanders this summer has been the improvement of the franchise’s prospect pool.
With a lot of luck involving the NHL Draft Lottery and some quality moves by Lou Lamoriello and Mathieu Darche to improve the team for the future, the Isles have gone from a bottom-dwelling prospect pool to the top half of the league in just a few months.
NY Islanders’ prospects recognized by top scouting outlet
Elite Prospects, one of the top scouting outlets in the world, recently dropped its top 100 drafted prospects, with the Islanders having five players named.
At the top of the list is, of course, Matthew Schaefer, the first overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, trailing only Ivan Demidov of the Montreal Canadiens.
A smooth-skating defenseman, Schaefer possesses the qualities both on and off the ice to become a superstar in this league, potentially giving the Isles their best defenseman in decades.
Despite being drafted 16th overall this summer, the team at Elite Prospects appreciates Victor Eklund’s game, ranking him 21st on their list.
🚨 The Elite Prospects Top 100 Affiliated Skater Prospects Ranking ahead of the 2025-26 season has dropped 🚨
✍️: @MitchLBrown, @DavidSt_Louis & @lassialanen
🔗: https://t.co/obBxzfJsf8 pic.twitter.com/OPc9bQbKd0
— Elite Prospects (@eliteprospects) August 20, 2025
While Eklund could put up an impressive point total in the NHL, he has a ‘B’ game, which should give him a long and prosperous career regardless of his point totals. A hound with and without the puck, Eklund is capable of making a long career for himself.
Coming in at No. 23 is Calum Ritchie, whom the Islanders acquired for Brock Nelson at last season’s trade deadline.
The most NHL-ready prospect in the organization, Ritchie will likely see plenty of time with the Islanders this season. A two-way forward who some feel can become a future Selke Trophy nominee could center one of the Islanders’ top two lines within the next few seasons.
The Islanders’ fourth prospect in the top 50, 17th overall pick this summer, Kashawn Aitcheson, comes in at No. 46.
A bone-crushing, throwback type of blue liner, Aitcheson should become a fan favorite on Long Island. With offensive upside, should his game transition to the next level, Aitcheson and Schaefer could become cornerstones for the Islanders over the next decade.
The last of the Islanders’ ranked prospects is Cole Eiserman at No. 74. With arguably the best shot of any player in the top 100, Cole Eiserman can become a star, but that will depend on whether he can round out his game. Returning for his sophomore season at Boston University, Eiserman will play a bigger role in his second season, preparing him to hopefully make the jump to the NHL in 2026-27