Monday’s light practice offered few clues toward that end. It is rare, though, for a No. 1 pick not to start the season in the NHL, and going into the start of free agency Tuesday, the Islanders blue line looked ripe for Schaefer to grab a spot.

New Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche also was busy before the draft. The Islanders traded defenseman Noah Dobson to Montreal for forward Emil Heineman and the Canadiens' two first-round picks. The Islanders used the picks to draft Victor Eklund and Kashawn Aitcheson.

Matthew Schaefer lost his mother, Jennifer, to breast cancer. Now, he’s achieved the ultimate milestone – becoming an NHL player. The 17-year-old was selected by the New York Islanders with the first overall pick in the 2025 NHL draft on Friday in Los Angeles.

LOS ANGELES — The New York Islanders selected defenseman Matthew Schaefer with the No. 1 pick in the NHL draft Friday night. High-scoring forward Michael Misa went second overall to the San Jose Sharks, and the Chicago Blackhawks took Swedish forward Anton Frondell third at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles.

Matthew Schaefer is officially the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. The 17-year-old star was selected by the New York Islanders on June 27 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, despite missing half of last season due to a broken clavicle.

As Schaefer’s NHL prospects rose in 2023 while he was playing for the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League, his billet mom, Emily Matson, died by an apparent suicide. Months later, his mother, Jennifer, died following a two-year battle with breast cancer. The following December, Otters owner Jim Waters died unexpectedly of a heart attack.

He is the total package as a skater. He has a phenomenal top gear and will push the pace with the puck through open ice. He loves to activate on the rush, and he can afford to, as his straight-line speed affords him the ability to quickly rotate back to the points or catch up on the backcheck.

This mock draft has been updated to reflect a trade between Montreal and the Islanders on Friday. This is my final projection for the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft. This is my best guess as to what I think will happen tonight.

The New York Islanders selected defenseman Matthew Schaefer with the first overall pick at the 2025 NHL Draft on Friday afternoon in Los Angeles. Schaefer, who will turn 18 on Sept. 5, played for the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League the past two seasons.