The most anticipated NHL draft 2025 lottery, the New York Islanders’ unexpected jackpot, startled everyone. On Monday night, the Islanders secured the top pick with a 3.5% chance of winning, against all odds. When a team is in a state of transition with no permanent general manager, securing first place in the pick could be a game changer, as the last time they picked first was in 2009 and drafted John Tavares, a cornerstone of the team.

Other teams, like the San Jose Sharks, secured the 2nd pick with an 18.5% chance of joining the Islanders; the Chicago Blackhawks will pick third, the Utah Hockey Club will pick fourth after winning the second draw and moving up 10 spots, and the 5. Nashville Predators rounded out the top five picks. 

The rest of the top 16 teams’ draft orders are as follows:

1. Philadelphia Flyers
2. Boston Bruins
3. Seattle Kraken
4. Buffalo Sabres
5. Anaheim Ducks
6. Pittsburgh Penguins
7. New York Rangers
8. Detroit Red Wings
9. Columbus Blue Jackets
10. Vancouver Canucks
11. Montreal Canadiens (via Calgary Flames)

With all eyes on the Islander, who will they call on June 27? With unique talent that can shape the future of the team forever, let’s see the possibilities of the contender.

Who Will the Islanders Choose?

The New York Islanders have a chance to pick first in the draft; they have three considerable names, each of them talented and potentially strong power players. First solid pick, Defenseman Matthew Schaefer, an elite skater in a two-way game, makes him a promising player. Despite his injury and limited season, he still managed to score 22 points (seven goals, 15 assists) and achieved a plus-21 rating in just 17 games.

The second completing option is Michael Misa, the captain of the Saginaw Spirit, who is known for his high hockey IQ and offensive prowess. His maturity on the ice earned him the Eddie Power Trophy as the OHL’s leading scorer at the end of the season, with 134 points (62 goals, 72 assists) in 65 games. This makes him No. 2 on Central Scouting’s final ranking of North American skaters.

The last top pick contender is James Hagens (5-10, 177), who is No. 3 on Central Scouting’s final rankings of North American skaters. The student from Boston College is known for his speed, vision, and charm, which can instantly make fans cheer. In 37 games this season, he scored 37 points (11 goals and 26 assists). Drafting Hagen would be a smart move, as he can enhance the Islanders’ offensive capabilities and connect with fans emotionally through his unique style.

When will the First Round Happen?

The hockey’s future players will take the stage on Friday, June 27, with a start time of 7pm ET. The Upper Deck NHL draft will take place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, where fans can watch live. Fans can tune in to the Round 1 action on ESPN, ESPN+, Sportsnet, and TVA Sports. To add to the excitement, Round 2 will continue through Round 7 on Saturday, June 28, beginning at noon ET on NHL Network, ESPN+, SN, and SN1.

The benefit of this draft format is decentralization. However, the top contender will be present at the Peacock Theater, while fans can watch remotely from their home. This screening involves fans from the basic level, from the starting NHL Draft Lottery to the upcoming rounds 1 to 7. This makes the NHL more similar to the NFL and NBA methods.

In addition to the excitement of the NHL Draft lottery and drafting, some franchises mark milestones that define their future positions in the NHL. Utah Hockey Club secured fourth position “But we’ll never forget this moment. This is truly a great moment in the franchise.” Armstrong expresses his optimism about the team’s future and opportunity to spot talent in the draft.

And for some franchises, this draft marks a milestone that could define their future. After the Utah Hockey Club secured the No. 4 overall pick in the lottery, general manager Bill Armstrong captured the emotional weight of the moment: this drafting process gives hockey fans reason to connect with future hockey players from the ground level.