Recent history proves the No. 13 draft pick can be lucky for the NY Islanders

For the New York Islanders, luck came in an unexpected form in 2025 — the number 13.

It wasn’t a draft position or a jersey number. It was the final ping pong ball.

When the last ball dropped during the NHL Draft Lottery, it revealed No. 13, vaulting the Islanders to the top of the board and delivering them the No. 1 overall pick. With it came Matthew Schaefer, the franchise-altering defenseman they hope will anchor their blue line for the next decade.

Now, the organization is hoping that same number carries a different kind of fortune.

After this year’s lottery results, the Islanders find themselves once again tied to No. 13 — this time as a draft position rather than a stroke of lottery luck. And while it may lack the glamour of first overall, recent history suggests that pick can still deliver meaningful impact.

Over the past decade, the 13th selection has quietly produced a number of difference-makers across the league. Nick Suzuki has developed into a top-line center and captain. Seth Jarvis has become a dynamic offensive weapon. Spencer Knight, when healthy, has shown flashes of elite goaltending ability. Even younger names like Frank Nazar and Zach Benson are trending toward impactful NHL careers.

Nazar’s path, in particular, carries a direct Islanders connection. He was selected with the pick originally owned by New York, dealt to the Montreal Canadiens in the trade for Alexander Romanov before eventually landing with the Chicago Blackhawks, who used it to take him 13th overall in 2022. It’s a reminder that even when a team doesn’t make the selection themselves, the value of that slot can still ripple through their roster construction.

It’s also a broader reminder that while the spotlight shines brightest at the very top of the draft, value often lives just a few spots down.

For the Islanders, that matters. With Schaefer already in the fold thanks to last year’s lottery magic, the pressure to hit another home run is different — but no less important. The 13th pick represents a chance to deepen the pipeline, complement their future cornerstone, and continue shaping a roster that can contend in the years ahead.

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