With the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft, the Islanders selected Erie Otters (OHL) defenseman Matthew Schaefer to help stabilize their back end for years to come. Schaefer registered seven goals and 15 assists to go along with a +21 rating in just 17 games this past season after dealing with a collarbone injury.

NHL Draft concluded, we end our coverage of this draft by way of draft grades. These grades are based on how I think the clubs did, based on my knowledge of the players selected. The only way I can fairly and reasonably go about this exercise is to assign grades based on which team added the most by way of draft picks to the organization.

The Colorado Avalanche may have found a third-round gem, but their 2025 NHL Draft class quality suffers from lack of certainty and depth.