Schaefer vs. Misa: Who Should The NY Islanders Take at No. 1?

For the first time since 2009, the New York Islanders own the first overall pick. In the past few drafts, the #1 selection has been fairly clear: Macklin Celebrini in 2024 and Conor Bedard in 2023. In 2026, Gavin McKenna has been the expected pick for what feels like 2 years now. Let's focus on tomorrow and what Mathieu Darche may do.

In most preseason polls, the top prospect was Long Island native and Boston College forward James Hagens. After his freshman year, his stock fell, and he slid down most mock drafts.

Matthew Schaefer, Defenseman, Eerie Otters

Since the midseason polls, left-handed defenseman Mathew Schaefer stormed to the top of most prospect lists. The 6'2, smooth-skating, and offensive-minded Schaefer was on pace for over a point-per-game season in the OHL. At the IIHF World Juniors, he assisted on a Gavin McKenna goal and scored the empty net goal in a 4-0 win over Finland.

In the next game, his season ended just under 5 minutes into the game. Schaefer led a rush, split through 3 Latvian players, received a pass, took a shot, then ran into the post. He broke his collarbone upon impact, resulting in season-ending surgery.

To Schaefer's character, he underwent surgery in Ottawa so he could stick around his Canadian teammates for the remainder of the tournament.

It's not the first hardship the 17-year-old has endured. It's public knowledge that Schaefer lost his billet mother to suicide in December of 2023, then his mother, Jennifer, in February of 2024, passed after a long battle with breast cancer. Schaefer has opened up to attending support groups on multiple occasions and speaking with others who have lost family members.

If the Islanders were to select Schaefer, they would have a stacked blue line consisting of Noah Dobson, Alexander Romanov, Ryan Pulock, Adam Pelech, Scott Mayfield, and Adam Boqvist; a good problem to have.

Michael Misa, C/LW, Saginaw Spirit

The other player in the discussion is the 2025 OHL Top Scorer, Most Outstanding Player, and Scholastic Player of the Year.

Misa turned many heads due to his production and over 2 points-per-game average this season. In 65 games, Misa scored 62 goals and 134 points. He was the 2nd fastest player in OHL history to hit the 50-goal mark, doing it in 50 games. The only player to do it faster was future Hall of Fame and 3-time Stanley Cup Champion, Patrick Kane. Ever heard of him?

On top of his scoring ability, let's look at his past achievements. In 2024, he won the Memorial Cup with the Saginaw Spirit. In 2023, he was the OHL Rookie of the Year after receiving the Exceptional Player Status in 2022.

On paper, Misa is a winner and a player who often exceeds expectations. On the ice, his offensive instincts are off the charts. He is a smart, speedy center who is versatile enough to play on he wing, if need be. Like Schaefer, he is a catalyst who tries to control the game.

Drafting Misa would, arguably, give the Islanders the best forward prospect pool in the NHL. Adding Misa to the list with Cole Eiserman, Cal Ritchie, Danny Nelson, Quinn Finley, and Kamil Bednarik is an enticing future.

Who Should the Islanders Pick?

As exciting as Misa's game is, I would still pick Matthew Schaefer. His small sample size of 17 OHL games and fewer than 2 World Juniors games concerns many fans. I think Schaefer is the stronger skater with the ability to control the pace and direction of a game. He can play all situations of the game, with the potential to be a superstar in the league.

Taking Schaefer loads up the Islanders' blue line. With two picks in the 2026 first round in a reportedly deeper draft, take another forward prospect then. Don't overthink it this year and select Schaefer.