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.

The selected players ranged from Matthew Schaefer, taken by the New York Islanders with the No. 1 pick and regarded as a future star, to Ygor Midlak, a goaltender who was the 224th and final selection by the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.

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.