Can the NY Islanders possibly land Matthew Schaefer and James Hagens?

The biggest question surrounding the NY Islanders since they were awarded the first overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft is whether they will go with the top prospect, Matthew Schaefer, or former top prospect and Long Island native James Hagens.

It’s looking more like Schaefer will be the selection when the Islanders' pick is announced, but do they have a chance to land Hagens as well?

Can the Isles draft Hagens and Schaefer?

Hagens, who completed his freshman season at Boston College this year, was the consensus top prospect before the start of the season. After finishing with a point-per-game in his first NCAA season, he found himself dropping in many scouts' rankings, and continues to fall months after the season concluded. Craig Button, insider for TSN, has Hagens ranked eighth overall in his final rankings.

It appears that the Chicago Blackhawks and the Utah Mammoth, picking third and fourth, respectively, may be willing to move down in the draft in order to acquire NHL-ready players.

The Islanders have the first overall pick and don’t select again until pick 42. Mathieu Darche would likely need to acquire another first-round pick, perhaps from a team like the Philadelphia Flyers or Montreal Canadiens, who have multiple first-round picks, and dangle that along with more in order to make that jump potentially back into the top five. 

Another option could be if Hagens falls to six, making just one trade with Flyers GM Daniel Briere, and selecting Hagens there. Darche could dangle next year's first-round pick, but will be hesitant to do so, as it would be a massive risk in the Gavin McKenna sweepstakes.

It will take some franchise-altering decisions in order to select both Hagens and Schaefer, but if Hagens is a player the Islanders really like, it’s a move Darche should strongly pursue.