Isles’ Jaw-Dropping Draft Lottery Victory Sets Hockey World Abuzz—What’s Next for the Underdogs?
When the NHL commissioner announced that the highly anticipated All-Star Game at UBS Arena was being swapped out for a nebulous Olympic kickoff event, the Islanders faithful—and frankly, the entire organization—weren’t exactly thrilled. In fact, the irritation was palpable enough that New York Governor Kathy Hochul felt compelled to pen a pointed letter to Gary Bettman, voicing her displeasure. But here’s the kicker: any grumbling faded fast once Monday night’s draft lottery results shook the hockey world. Against the odds—a mere 3.5 percent chance—the Islanders snagged the No. 1 overall pick for the first time since 2009, flipping what was already shaping up to be a pivotal offseason into something truly momentous. This lucky break didn’t just rewrite their draft story; it turbocharged expectations for the franchise’s next chapter, presenting a tantalizing choice among top-tier prospects destined to bolster a budding core. It’s a fresh start that’s got the whole fan base buzzing—and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
The Islanders might have been a little miffed last week when NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said the All-Star Game at UBS Arena would be replaced by a vaguely defined Olympic kickoff event.
Up until a little after 7 p.m., the most notable thing to happen in Islanders-land on Monday was New York Gov. Kathy Hochul sending a displeased letter to Bettman over the situation.
Any animus the Islanders fan base, and for that matter, the Islanders organization, was feeling over losing the All-Star Game went away shortly thereafter.
What was already shaping up to be a transformational offseason for the Islanders is now even more so after the pingpong balls fell their way on Monday night, giving them the No. 1 overall pick for the first time since 2009.
A 3.5 percent chance converted in dramatic fashion when Ball No. 13 came up in the first-ever live drawing of the draft lottery. The winning combination — 7-11-12-13 — was one of just 35 that would have gotten the Islanders the top pick out of 1,001 total.
The Sharks, who finished with the league’s worst record, will draft second, followed by the Blackhawks. The Rangers — who finished a mere three points ahead of the Islanders in the standings after beating them four times — moved down a spot and will select 12th.
Had just one of those games been won by the Islanders — including a 9-2 home defeat late in the season in which Patrick Roy’s management of his goaltenders was roundly panned — their positions, and thus their lottery combinations, would have been swapped.
The last time they won the lottery, the Islanders drafted John Tavares, their future captain and a franchise cornerstone until he left Long Island for the Maple Leafs.
Their three other No. 1 overall picks were Rick DiPietro (2000), Denis Potvin (1973) and Billy Harris (1972).
This time, they are faced with a choice between what is a likely top four of defenseman Matthew Schaefer, center Michael Misa, center James Hagens or right-winger Porter Martone.
“It’s adding to the tradition that the Islanders have,” director of pro scouting Ken Morrow said on ESPN’s broadcast. “A great fan base, a new arena, terrific ownership. And better days are ahead here.”
Schaefer, a 6-foot-2 lefty defenseman, ranks first in the draft according to nearly every scouting service. He played just 17 games this season, dealing with mononucleosis and a broken collarbone, and will turn 18 in September.
Hagens, who just finished his freshman year at Boston College, is widely rated below Schaefer and Misa, but the Islanders will be sorely tempted to take him due to his upbringing in Hauppauge on Long Island. Hagens and his family are known to be Islanders fans.
Misa, who earned exceptional status to start playing in the OHL at age 15, captained the Saginaw Spirit this season and scored 134 points (62 goals, 72 assists) while moving from wing to center.
Martone, generally rated below the other three, just finished up a 98-point season with the OHL’s Brampton Steelheads and at 6-foot-2, 208 pounds has more size than any of the four.
If it is still consensus by late next month that Schaefer and Misa are ahead of Hagens, that might even open the door to the Islanders trading down.
Of course, given the club still needs to hire a general manager to replace Lou Lamoriello — who was fired two weeks ago — that is about as premature as it gets.
Having the No. 1 pick in hand, though, certainly makes the job far more attractive, as whoever the Islanders take will be added to a core that already includes Mathew Barzal, Ilya Sorokin, Noah Dobson, Cole Eiserman and Calum Ritchie as its anchors — the latter two having been added to the prospect group over the past year.
It also sets up what is a huge decision for the new general manager and/or president of hockey operations to make almost immediately after being hired, and one that could accelerate the Islanders rebuild by an order of magnitude.
“I know our amateur scouting staff is gonna be very excited and prepared to make this selection,” Morrow said. “I can tell you I’ve had a lot of thrills in my hockey life. This is up there.”
Post Comment