I don't even think it's a guarantee that Hagens goes in the top 5. I think he probably does, but I wouldn't be shocked if he fell outside of it.

It would be really cool to have the hometown kid who is an Isles fan play for us, but I think it absolutely has to be Schaefer or Misa, and I'm heavily leaning Schaefer...as much as I like Misa.
- Gabe Athaus

They probably pick Schaefer unless there’s some kind of trade back scenario like I stated earlier. Whoever is the next GM will more than likely make the safest pick and that’s Schaefer.

They probably pick Schaefer unless there’s some kind of trade back scenario like I stated earlier. Whoever is the next GM will more than likely make the safest pick and that’s Schaefer.
- Cptmjl

Schaefer fits a need for sure and seems to be the best player. Islanders need offense as well but seem to have help on offense on the way.

They probably pick Schaefer unless there’s some kind of trade back scenario like I stated earlier. Whoever is the next GM will more than likely make the safest pick and that’s Schaefer.
- Cptmjl

Here's a thread on the top draft experts thoughts on Schaefer
https://x.com/DynoDangle/.../1919572213381882277?s=19

They probably pick Schaefer unless there’s some kind of trade back scenario like I stated earlier. Whoever is the next GM will more than likely make the safest pick and that’s Schaefer.
- Cptmjl

I wonder if they couldn't move Dobson and another asset to get back into the top 5 and try to take Hagens. I don't know how I'd feel about that, but that's a strong package.

If they take Schaefer, I think he absolutely has to go back to the OHL next season though. He missed a lot of time this year with mono and the broken collarbone. And it's probably best for his development.

I wonder if they couldn't move Dobson and another asset to get back into the top 5 and try to take Hagens. I don't know how I'd feel about that, but that's a strong package.
- Gabe Athaus

Something to think about. Schaefer and if Dobson can improve his defensive game would be something as well.

Something to think about. Schaefer and if Dobson can improve his defensive game would be something as well.
- ses111

Nashville isn't, on paper, a "bottom 5 team". I wonder if Dobson and Colorado's 1st next year gets the Islanders back into the 1st round at #5.

They are severely lacking RHD:

Me, this morning:


- Gabe Athaus

I wonder if they couldn't move Dobson and another asset to get back into the top 5 and try to take Hagens. I don't know how I'd feel about that, but that's a strong package.
- Gabe Athaus

As I said before I’m not too big on moving Dobson unless he forces our hand with outrageous contract demands. In the scenario you’re talking about we go instantly from having a couple prospects to too many.

Still need to ice an NHL team though I’m all for calling next season a wash in a bid for next years 1st overall. Can’t see the nhl letting us get two consecutive 1st’s.

As I said before I’m not too big on moving Dobson unless he forces our hand with outrageous contract demands. In the scenario you’re talking about we go instantly from having a couple prospects to too many.

Still need to ice an NHL team though I’m all for calling next season a wash in a bid for next years 1st overall. Can’t see the nhl letting us get two consecutive 1st’s.
- Cptmjl

Just to reiterate, I'm not necessarily endorsing the idea yet...but if they could hypothetically move Dobson and the Colorado 1st in 2026, they could re-sign Tony D to take Dobson's spot and then take whoever at #5. Whether it's Hagens/Martone/Desnoyers/whoever

Nashville isn't, on paper, a "bottom 5 team". I wonder if Dobson and Colorado's 1st next year gets the Islanders back into the 1st round at #5.

They are severely lacking RHD:


- Gabe Athaus

Would be nice not to have to add the #1 for next year.

Would be nice not to have to add the #1 for next year.
- ses111

Maybe they wouldn't have to, I don't know. I don't really want to trade Dobson but being able to add two high-end pieces into the system that already has Ritchie and Eiserman would be massive. Plus we'd still have our own 1st next year which figures to be a high pick

Maybe they wouldn't have to, I don't know. I don't really want to trade Dobson but being able to add two high-end pieces into the system that already has Ritchie and Eiserman would be massive. Plus we'd still have our own 1st next year which figures to be a high pick
- Gabe Athaus

Everything needs to be on the table. You would love to keep a player like Dobson if possible.

Everything needs to be on the table. You would love to keep a player like Dobson if possible.
- ses111

My problem is that Dobson is going to be expensive and I don't think anyone really knows what direction he's heading. Is he the 70+ point defenseman we saw two years ago? Or is he a defensive liability with less offensive output? The defensive mistakes are more palatable if he's putting up close to a PPG from the blueline. They're not, for me, if he's way below that production.

Just to reiterate, I'm not necessarily endorsing the idea yet...but if they could hypothetically move Dobson and the Colorado 1st in 2026, they could re-sign Tony D to take Dobson's spot and then take whoever at #5. Whether it's Hagens/Martone/Desnoyers/whoever
- Gabe Athaus

This team lacks talent I can't see any scenario where they don't take the 1st pick other than San Jose if they offer something to take Schaefer and we get misa

They can't trade back unless it's with the sharks and they are happy with misa imo. They need talent in the worst way and Schaefer is elite and can jump up in the play to create. I'm OK with him or misa and I get the hagens thing but the other two have passed him. Schaefer has been a lock in the top spot since the rankings came out
- Upstate_isles

You take the best player available and that’s Schaefer at this point. It’s almost like do you take Tavares or Hedman

You take the best player available and that’s Schaefer at this point. It’s almost like do you take Tavares or Hedman
- nyisles7

Yea it's pretty close to that. Sucks hagens took a small step back this season but I think he's option 3

This team lacks talent I can't see any scenario where they don't take the 1st pick other than San Jose if they offer something to take Schaefer and we get misa
- Upstate_isles

I'm a huge "take the best player available" guy so I fully agree. It's Schaefer for sure. Not to mention a star top-pair defenseman is probably the hardest thing to find in the draft. But if they can find a way to get back into the top-5 to take a forward I'd certainly consider it. I don't know if that's possible, but it might be worth looking into.

What it really boils down to is how the new regime views Dobson moving forward, unless they're going to shock everyone and trade someone else.

Yea it's pretty close to that. Sucks hagens took a small step back this season but I think he's option 3
- Upstate_isles

Martone and Desnoyers are right there though. The book on Hagens is that he's a soft playmaker that stays on the perimeter. I really wouldn't be shocked if both of those players I mentioned are taken before him.

My problem is that Dobson is going to be expensive and I don't think anyone really knows what direction he's heading. Is he the 70+ point defenseman we saw two years ago? Or is he a defensive liability with less offensive output? The defensive mistakes are more palatable if he's putting up close to a PPG from the blueline. They're not, for me, if he's way below that production.
- Gabe Athaus

Dobson is a wildcard at this point. The contract is a huge issue.

Martone and Desnoyers are right there though. The book on Hagens is that he's a soft playmaker that stays on the perimeter. I really wouldn't be shocked if both of those players I mentioned are taken before him.
- Gabe Athaus

Hagens just does not seem like a strong #1 overall pick.

Hagens just does not seem like a strong #1 overall pick.
- ses111

If they take him at 1st overall they're making a huge mistake. If he was from anywhere but Long Island not one single person would be talking about the Islanders taking him first. I'd love to see the kid in an Isles jersey on draft day, but it's just not going to happen unless they trade back into the top five.

If they take him at 1st overall they're making a huge mistake. If he was from anywhere but Long Island not one single person would be talking about the Islanders taking him first. I'd love to see the kid in an Isles jersey on draft day, but it's just not going to happen unless they trade back into the top five.
- Gabe Athaus

I agree. Great story but you need more than that. Hagens at 4 or 5 I can see. Just not 1.

If they take him at 1st overall they're making a huge mistake. If he was from anywhere but Long Island not one single person would be talking about the Islanders taking him first. I'd love to see the kid in an Isles jersey on draft day, but it's just not going to happen unless they trade back into the top five.
- Gabe Athaus

How dare you talk about my buddy’s kid like that you bastard.

How dare you talk about my buddy’s kid like that you bastard.
- Cptmjl

Listen I'd love to see him become an Islander, I really would. Just not with the first overall pick. I'd strongly consider moving some serious assets to trade back up and take him.