What's typical is that Galloff is still a Richard. It was a nice fantasy, but I think most of us are over it already.
- JohnScammo

He seemed so happy to be drafted by Boston it made me wonder if he would have been as happy being drafted by the Islanders.

Why do these draftee/front office interviews seem so awkward?

Why do these draftee/front office interviews seem so awkward?
- PeteM

Like being brought before an inquisition

He seemed so happy to be drafted by Boston it made me wonder if he would have been as happy being drafted by the Islanders.
- PeteM

Every kid says they are happy to be drafted by whoever drafts them. Could you imagine if they said, "Hey, thanks, but I really wanted to play for Toronto?"

Well, this Eklund guy is still available.
- potvin05

By far the best remaining player

Like being brought before an inquisition
- keaner17

These are kids on national television for the first time. They're nervous, as I would be.

Eklund, it is!

Well…they picked him.

Well…they picked him.
- potvin05

Listed at 161 lbs. Hope he bulks up.

Cole or Carbonneau? Or, do you go with the d-man whose name I’m not ever trying to spell?

Cole or Carbonneau? Or, do you go with the d-man whose name I’m not ever trying to spell?
- potvin05

Aitcheson!

Listed as an LD. Looks like a big guy.

Thrilled they took Kashawn Aitcheson so if nothing else we get to hear Butch.'Butcher' his name

Thrilled they took Kashawn Aitcheson so if nothing else we get to hear Butch.'Butcher' his name
- keaner17

Butch has all summer to practice.

Of course, Isles twitter was freaking the (frank) out after we lost out on Hagens. Turns out we’ve probably had the best draft of any team plus we got that other guy in Dobson trade that everyone on Twitter already seems to have forgotten about. Not bad, Darche.

Of course, Isles twitter was freaking the (frank) out after we lost out on Hagens. Turns out we’ve probably had the best draft of any team plus we got that other guy in Dobson trade that everyone on Twitter already seems to have forgotten about. Not bad, Darche.
- potvin05

Schaefer, Eklund and Aitcheson. Plus Eiserman, Ritchie and Nelson. Not to mention two first rounders next year an cash to spare. This is the way

Of course, Isles twitter was freaking the (frank) out after we lost out on Hagens. Turns out we’ve probably had the best draft of any team plus we got that other guy in Dobson trade that everyone on Twitter already seems to have forgotten about. Not bad, Darche.
- potvin05

I think Darche did fine with that trade. There's always a big risk with draft picks, but there's also plenty of risk committing $76 million to Noah Dobson.

Bummer about Hagens, but I like the players they picked...Eklund seems like he might have a Cizikas-like tenacity to his game that we're going to love, and Aitcheson looks like a guy you don't want to play against. Add them to Schaefer...and the three of those guys to Eiserman, Ritchie, and Nelson...and it feels like a system that was unimpressive not that long ago is far stronger.

I think Darche did fine with that trade. There's always a big risk with draft picks, but there's also plenty of risk committing $76 million to Noah Dobson.
- JohnScammo

I think trading Dobson is a definite risk but I see all these comparisons to Toews, who we, and rightfully so at the time sacrificed to keep Pulock. Toews is a better defender than Dobson. Skating ability is similar but Dobson has the better offensive game. Hey Toews has turned into a great player but if you put me next to Cale Makar, I would be decent too.

You can’t commit 8 years to Dobson. It’s not even the money I care about. I would have loved to keep him if we could have, but at 9.5/8 years, you get 2 1st and a bottom 6 player, I’m sorry, you have to do it. You’re losing him in a season anyway.

If we’re prioritizing anything now, we need a puck moving defenseman. Preferably right handed and a sniper on the wing.

Bummer about Hagens, but I like the players they picked...Eklund seems like he might have a Cizikas-like tenacity to his game that we're going to love, and Aitcheson looks like a guy you don't want to play against. Add them to Schaefer...and the three of those guys to Eiserman, Ritchie, and Nelson...and it feels like a system that was unimpressive not that long ago is far stronger.
- UIF

I don’t know a lot about these guys admittedly but Eklund was a top-10 pick in almost every mock draft I saw so I hope he’s got Cizikas like tenacity with maybe some Alex Mogilny type skating.

I think trading Dobson is a definite risk but I see all these comparisons to Toews, who we, and rightfully so at the time sacrificed to keep Pulock. Toews is a better defender than Dobson. Skating ability is similar but Dobson has the better offensive game. Hey Toews has turned into a great player but if you put me next to Cale Makar, I would be decent too.

You can’t commit 8 years to Dobson. It’s not even the money I care about. I would have loved to keep him if we could have, but at 9.5/8 years, you get 2 1st and a bottom 6 player, I’m sorry, you have to do it. You’re losing him in a season anyway.

If we’re prioritizing anything now, we need a puck moving defenseman. Preferably right handed and a sniper on the wing.
- potvin05

I believe Schaefer fulfills that need, although he's likely a season away from the NHL, so maybe you're talking about this coming season?

I believe Schaefer fulfills that need, although he's likely a season away from the NHL, so maybe you're talking about this coming season?
- JohnScammo

Bring back Tony D!!!!

Chris Botta
@ChrisBottaNHL
·
26m
Ending today’s cameo return by sharing notes from NHL scouts. First, on #Isles Eklund & Aitcheson:

“Crazy luck for your team. Eklund lasting until 16 is stupid. (Aitcheson) is a stud. When media does the re-drafts in a year or two, both those kids will be top 10.”

And I asked 3 pro scouts who follow Montreal closely about Emil Heineman. Highlights:
“Roy will be happy”
“Excellent speed”
“The anti-Engvall. Goes to hard areas.”
“Probably NYI’s best forechecker now”
“Responsible in Dzone”
“Sneaky shot. Will get PP time.”
“Big upgrade to their bottom-six”

Post

See new posts
Conversation
Michael Ostrower
@michaelost13
Mathieu Darche confirmed the #Isles tried to trade up to select James Hagens

Also said the Islanders “never expected [Eklund & Aitcheson]” to be available at 16 and 17
10:21 PM · Jun 27, 2025
·
12.3K
Views

Andrew Gross
@AGrossNewsday
·
5h
Noah Dobson said on Zoom he started with the goal of staying with Isles and on Long Island. But sides could never find common ground in negotiations and eventually there was a mutual decision to seek a trade.
"It's special to be an Islander."
Getting married Monday. Busy time.

I believe Schaefer fulfills that need, although he's likely a season away from the NHL, so maybe you're talking about this coming season?
- JohnScammo

Yes. UFA