The NY Islanders take overage defenseman Sam Laurila with pick No. 138

The NY Islanders have tended to pick at least one overage player in the NHL Draft, and this year that player is defenseman Sam Luarila. Despite being 18 years old, Laurila was eligible last season, but re-enters in 2025 after not being selected.

After playing for the USNTDP, Laurila spent last season with the Fargo Force of the USHL. There, he finished with 41 points (8 G, 33 A) in 51 games, tying for fourth in the league in points among defensemen with Xavier Veilleux, Islanders' seventh-round pick in 2024.

The Isles select Sam Laurila 138th overall

In his draft season, Laurila was known as a defensive-defenseman, with not much offensive upside, finishing the 2023-24 season with 15 points (4 G, 11 A) in 95 games.

But this season, Laurila found his offensive game, jumping into the offensive own as often as possible. Though he's not the fastest skater, he often found himself leading the rush for Fargo.

One of the top D+1 prospects this year, Laurila's shot from the blue line isn't the strongest, but he's good at finding lanes. He creates those lanes through his lateral skating, which is better than his straight-line speed.

For what he lacks in speed and shooting, Laurila makes up for it with his hockey sense. An extremely cerebral player, Laurila can control the pace of the game from the blue line.

If things work out perfectly in Laurila's development, he could potentially be a second-pairing defenseman.

Laurila will begin his greatest test next season, attending the University of North Dakota, where he'll play against much stiffer competition.