MCKEEN’S 2026 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #14 New York Islanders – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Prospect System Ranking – 14th (Last Year - 11th)
GM: Mathieu Darche Hired: May 2025
COACH: Patrick Roy Hired: January 2024

It has been a roller coaster for the New York Islanders in our McKeens rankings. After climbing an impressive 10 spots last year, the organization slides back three positions to 14th. That volatility can be tied to one player: Matthew Schaefer. After winning the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery, the Islanders wasted no time selecting the dynamic Canadian defenceman first overall. Schaefer has exceeded even the highest expectations, making an immediate impact and graduating from prospect status the moment he took his rookie lap. In doing so, he has already begun to reshape the franchise's long-term outlook overnight.

With Schaefer no longer part of the “system”, the Islanders’ prospect pool is now headlined by two players selected shortly after him in the same draft: Victor Eklund (32nd) and Kashawn Aitcheson (35th). Eklund, taken 11th overall in 2025, has impressed during his rookie season in the SHL, showing strong offensive instincts against professional competition. Aitcheson, selected one pick later, led all OHL defencemen in scoring as captain of the Barrie Colts in 2025-26 and has since signed his entry-level contract. Cole Eiserman (45th), the Islanders’ first-round pick from 2024, has officially begun his professional journey. Following a 43-goals-in-71-game NCAA career, the sharpshooting winger has signed his papers and turned pro after his collegiate season concluded with a Hockey East quarterfinal exit.

With Schaefer accelerating the organization’s timeline, the Islanders have already begun to push their chips forward. The acquisition of veteran center Brayden Schenn — which cost the team its 2026 first-round and third-round picks — signals a clear commitment to competing now. As this new wave of young talent begins to integrate with the NHL roster, the Islanders appear to be transitioning into a new phase and one that could see a promising core quickly evolve into something far more impactful on Long Island.

1. Victor Eklund, RW, Djurgårdens IF (SHL) (Currently with Bridgeport Islanders, AHL)

   Eklund’s season so far has largely met expectations, and the New York Islanders organization is certainly pleased with his progress since the 2025 Draft. Eklund continues to trend upward this season, taking the next step in competition with Djurgården following their promotion from Allsvenskan to the SHL. He’s showing improved pace and growing confidence attacking high traffic areas. Playing against heavier competition, he has adjusted well, displaying stronger puck poise and an increased willingness to dictate play rather than play it safe. His offensive skillset remains his biggest asset, highlighted by quick decision making, soft hands in tight spaces, and a consistent ability to find space through coverage. Eklund elevated his stock further during the WJC, playing a meaningful role in Sweden’s gold-medal performance. He handled top line matchups effectively, showing composure in pressure moments while contributing steady offensive support. His play-driving habits and transitional awareness were noticeable throughout the tournament. His strengths are built around strong on-ice awareness, puck skill, and offensive anticipation. Eklund regularly identifies open space and supports possession sequences with quick, efficient decision making. Physical maturity remains the primary developmental challenge, as he can lose battles against bigger, stronger defenders. His projection leans toward a middle six scoring winger with power play value, with added strength potentially unlocking top six offensive upside.

2. Kashawn Aitcheson, D, Barrie Colts (OHL)

   Selected 17th overall in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft by the New York Islanders, Aitcheson is in his fourth season in the OHL and shares the captaincy with Utah Mammoth prospect Cole Beaudoin. He led all OHL defencemen with 28 goals and in points with 70. Aitcheson set the new franchise record for most career points by a defenceman in Barrie Colts history surpassing former Colt, Brandt Clarke’s record of 158 career points. Aitcheson has continued to take meaningful steps forward with his five-on-five offensive play. His physicality remains a strong suit, averaging roughly a hit per game while keeping his penalty minutes low. An area of improvement is limiting mistakes in the defensive zone; his skating has improved and moves well in all directions for his physique but recognizing when to close out quicker and making more consistent reads with the puck. Barrie has their sights on another deep playoff run so expect Aitcheson to log heavy minutes matched up against top heavy forwards.

3. Cole Eiserman, LW, Boston University (NCAA) (Currently with Bridgeport Islanders, AHL)

   The enigmatic goal scoring machine, Cole Eiserman continued firing on all cylinders with Boston U. this year, registering 18 goals in 32 games. He brings elite shooting tools and a nose for the net to the Islanders club. The sophomore’s shot is elite, and he possesses a release that can fool goalies from any area on the ice when in scoring range. He is also not averse to the physical component of the game and is willing to sacrifice his body to set himself up into prime scoring locations. A 20th overall selection in the 2024 NHL draft, Eiserman will always be known for scoring goals, but it would be nice to see him evolve his game into more of a playmaker and look for opportunities to dish the puck when the time is right. This would make him a dual threat and help elevate his game to the next level. Set up with a good playmaker, Eiserman could easily be a top scorer for the Islanders down the road.

4. Danny Nelson, C, University of Notre Dame (NCAA)

   A leader on Notre Dame, as is evidenced by the certification of team Captain, Nelson brings a hard nose and no-nonsense style game to the team. He also displayed his offensive chops by putting up 28 points in 35 games this past season. The third year player has increased his NCAA totals each of the season’s he’s played for the Fighting Irish, which is something you like to see in a prospect. What you get with Nelson is an endless motor with high compete and physicality in his game. He is always noticeable during games and is in the mix more times than not. The Islanders' second rounder is a reliable two-way forward with some offensive upside. He has a relatively high floor thanks to his size, skating, and high IQ combination. At the very least, he could develop into an excellent defensive forward and penalty killer. Expect him to make the jump to the pro ranks very soon and he could move quickly through the Islanders’ system.

5. Daniil Prokhorov, RW, Dynamo St. Petersburg (KHL)

   The 6-foot-6 second round draft pick had a chaotic start to this season, getting 1-5 shifts a game in the KHL before bouncing around between all three Russian leagues. He has finally settled into the VHL and has since played well, scoring 18 points in 25 games, some of those games with extremely limited ice time. The most consistent thing about Prokhorov is his inconsistency. Not even shift to shift, but moment to moment he can go from a high paced, physical, net driven monster to being completely checked out, not moving his feet and letting pucks go past him. At his best, he can take over possession. The size and skating combination is a beautiful thing to watch as he drives wide to blow by defenders before cutting to the crease. His shot is strong and can throw high danger passes to the slot through pressure. He is violent along the boards, always looking for big hits and to regain possession. But more often than you'd like, he floats around and is completely disengaged from play with negative awareness. He’s also quite poor defensively, out of position and looking to fly the zone for offence. There is potential to be special if he can work on his determination and decision making. A change of scenery could be the answer, as North American coaching could help round out the rest of his game and reach the heights of his full potential, but for now he looks like a bottom six heavy hitting instigator.

6. Tomas Poletin, LW, Kelowna Rockets (WHL)

   Tomas Poletin’s first season in North America has gone largely as expected. The Czech winger was selected by the New York Islanders with the 106th pick in the 2025 NHL Draft (not far off our ranking at McKeen’s, where we had him 103rd overall) following a strong season in Finland splitting time between the Lahti Pelicans’ junior and professional teams, which included 15 games in the Liiga, Finland’s top professional league. Poletin joined the Kelowna Rockets this season after the Memorial Cup hosts selected him first overall in the CHL Import Draft, and he has slotted into a top six role. He also captured silver with Czechia at the most recent World Junior Championship, recording four goals and two assists in seven games. His game remains largely unchanged from his draft-eligible season. Poletin is not known for flashy or highly creative plays, operating with a direct, north-south approach that can limit his offensive ceiling from a projection standpoint. What he lacks in dynamism, however, he makes up for with his motor and work ethic. He consistently attacks the hard areas, competes for pucks, and plays with energy. His approach is simple but effective. If he can add another gear to his skating and continue to build strength, he could become a more dangerous player at higher levels. For now, his play style fits the mould of an energetic, bottom six checking role.

7. Isaiah George, D, Bridgeport Islanders (AHL)

   After finding himself having surprisingly gotten into 33 NHL games in his rookie pro season, displaying plenty of potential as a future puck-moving defender with above average mobility, George has spent the bulk of this season in the AHL refining and improving his game all over the ice. A slight injury cost him roughly a month’s worth of action between November and December, but it didn’t take long to get to full speed before the holidays. And although his statistical output in the form of goals and assists has been fine and very akin to what he generated in his rookie AHL season, his +/- has improved drastically. He’s displayed a newfound calm in his game and confidence in his actions, both with and without the puck. By late January, he got a two-game call-up to the Island, where he averaged just over 13 minutes of ice time and collected an assist in a 4-1 win over the Flyers. Overall, he’s shown an ever-improving ability to outskate his opponents, regain lost space, and apply an active stick to his defensive play that allows for a higher propensity of transitional play. An NHL future is clearly in the cards and another stay on the Island this season would surprise no-one in the organization.

8. Dmitry Gamzin, G, CSKA Moscow (KHL)

   Gamzin has been on a tear this season. He currently leads the KHL in SV%, GAA, and second in shutouts, leading him to an all-star game appearance at 22 years old. He has all the tools you look for in goalies; 6-foot-3, athletic, strong skater, and effectively reads the ice in front of him. Rarely do you see opponents beat him when he has a clean look. His pads are strong; he controls rebounds and can track the puck through traffic. He recently signed an extension through the 2027-28 season, which gives him more time to dominate the KHL, and continues to develop his game. Despite the great success, he is still a bit raw. Some slight refinement to his technique, angles/positioning, and side to side mobility would bode well for him. It isn’t difficult to envision him as an NHL caliber goaltender. As of right now, there are no real elite standout traits, but he is an extremely well-rounded goalie playing at a very high level. If he takes another step over these next few years, he could very well be next in the line of elite Russian goalies that have taken over the NHL.

9. Xavier Veilleux, D, Cornell University (NCAA)

   An Islander defensive prospect with Cornell, Veilleux has shown some real promising point producing acumen, being one of the top-scoring rookie D in the NCAA with 26 points in 33 games. He has adapted well as a freshman and the progression in his game could reveal him to be a late round steal for Long Island who drafted him in the sixth round in 2024. Veilleux projects as a decent two-way, puck moving defenceman with some nice play-driving ability. He can manipulate oncoming pressure and has decent patience when the puck is on his stick. Based on his NCAA results this year, it would appear that repeating the USHL level was the correct decision as it helped a seamless transition to a higher level. Veilleux is best described as a high IQ player, with his defensive game showing great growth last year. Cornell is a great program for him to continue to develop defensively. A mobile defender, the question marks surrounding Veilleux would be around projection. Could he be a Calvin de Haan type for the Islanders in the future?

10. Marshall Warren, D, Bridgeport Islanders (AHL)

    It’s been a very positive year for Warren, who wasn’t seen as one of the Islanders’ top 15 prospects heading into the season. Signed to an ELC as an unrestricted free agent in 2024 after having gone unsigned by the Minnesota Wild, who drafted him in the sixth round of the 2019 draft, the Long Island native has since slowly but surely endeared himself to the fanbase and new management alike. He showed promise in his initial season with the organization, which was spent entirely with a very downtrodden Bridgeport Islanders outfit, but has seen his play jump in leaps and bounds in all three zones this season, having blown away last season’s statistical totals already by his 30th appearance of the season. This also led to him getting his first taste of NHL hockey, where he tallied three assists in eight games by the Olympic break, showing a strong ability to keep up with the pace of the NHL game while facing his challenges from a defensive standpoint. He’ll be an RFA this summer but it’s hard to imagine him not being re-upped as sound defensive depth for the organization.

11. Jacob Kvasnicka, RW, Penticton Vees (WHL)

    Talk about a breakout year. A depth piece on the NTDP last year, Kvasnicka joined Penticton of the WHL this year and has been one of the league’s best players. He plays at a blistering pace and is a prospect on the rise.

12. Alex Jefferies, LW, Bridgeport Islanders (AHL)

    A strong skating, playmaking winger, Jefferies has had a solid sophomore pro season with Bridgeport. He’s put himself in the conversation for an NHL opportunity and could end up a solid middle six, complementary piece.

13. Matthew Maggio, RW, Bridgeport Islanders (AHL)

    The former Red Tilson winner as the OHL’s top player was a disappointment through his first two pro seasons, but Maggio has been much better this year for Bridgeport. Much like Jefferies, he has likely put himself in the Islanders plans moving forward.

14. Quinn Finley, LW, University of Wisconsin (NCAA)

    Finley has some pro level attributes as a goal scoring winger. He can play with pace and shows good offensive instincts off the puck. Look for him to turn pro after his junior season with Wisconsin is over.

15. Luca Romano, C, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

    As the Kitchener Rangers have added to their lineup to push for a Western Conference championship, Romano has found himself further down the lineup this year in his draft plus one year. However, he’s still been effective in a depth role, showing greater consistency in all three zones. Expect a big offensive jump next year.