NHL Draft Lottery win ignites fervent debate among NY Islanders fans over top pick

Fans of the New York Islanders shared a beautiful moment on Monday night when the team stunningly won the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery, securing the No. 1 overall pick for the first time since 2009. They were euphoric. They were exhilarated. They were united.

That was a few days ago.

The Isles' good fortune has ignited a fervent debate among fans about who should be the top selection, and some of it is head versus heart. For many fans, the choice is James Hagens - the hometown prodigy. Born and raised on Long Island, Hagens and his family are part of the Isles Faithful. His connection to the team and community makes him a sentimental favorite, and many believe his elite playmaking and hockey IQ are enough to make him the future face of the franchise

"If I would have told you six months ago, the Islanders are going to have their opportunity to draft James Hagens ... you would have said, that's guy crazy," posted @mattyboychuk on X in an impassioned six-minute plus monologue on why Hagens should be the choice. "For the first time in the history of the National Hockey League, you're going to have a kid and his family, who, if they don't get drafted by the New York Islanders, they'll be crushed."

Earlier in the year, as the Islanders struggled in October and November, the unrealistic refrain from fans was "Tank for Hagens," as the Hauppauge, NY resident who played on the Long Island Royals was projected to be the No.1 pick by several prospect prognosticators. However, after his good but not spectacular freshman season at Boston College, during which he scored 11 goals and 26 assists in 37 games, he has dropped two, three, or four spots in most rankings.

For most of the months leading up to the Draft Lottery, the top of the 2025 class was viewed as one without a clear-cut No.1, with multiple players who could fit the spot. Since then, 17-year-old defenseman Mathew Schaefer of Erie in the Ontario Hockey League has emerged as the consensus favorite to be the No.1 selection. He played 17 games due to breaking his collarbone, but put up 22 points (seven goals, 15 assists) and displayed elite tools and attributes that offer cornerstone top-defenseman potential. Saginaw center Michael Misa put up absurd numbers (62 goals, 72 assists) and has game-breaking ability. His point total was the highest single-season total by an OHL player since Patrick Kane’s 145-point campaign with the London Knights in 2006-07.

In a way, the Islanders can't go wrong with any of these three prospects. Still, the fanbase is certainly divided by those who have been convinced that Hagens is a tier below Schaefer and Misa, and those who believe you don't turn down a chance to fulfill a fairytale moment when it feels like destiny.

These are good problems and yes, fun debates to have.

The 2025 NHL Draft will take place on June 27th from Los Angeles.