This power forward could be the Islanders’ No. 1 pick no one saw coming

There are three players whom the Islanders will seriously consider to take with the top pick: James Hagens, Michael Misa, and Matthew Schaefer. Of the three, I’m a Misa fan, given his 134-point outburst that ended up with 62 goals and 72 assists in 65 games. He’s a player who can easily come into the NHL and put up modest numbers to kick things off.

As for Matthew Schaefer, if he didn’t suffer an injury that cut his season short, I’d be higher on him. But still, you don’t get many two-way players of his caliber in any draft, so the Isles would be smart to strongly consider him despite the injury. 

Then there’s the local product, James Hagens, whose play never impressed me. If the Isles took him No. 1, I’m calling it a reach. For now, anyway. But we’ll see what happens come 2030, and I may need to take back those words. Still, there’s one player I’d be more willing to talk about over Hagens. 

The Islanders need to give serious consideration to a winger with NHL-ready size

Porter Martone’s 6’3, 207 lb frame impresses me, and it was the first thing I noticed when I looked at the 2025 draft class not long after the 2024 draft ended. Martone didn’t have the same production as Michael Misa, but 98 points and 37 goals in 57 games is still a big deal, and Martone’s power forward potential could ultimately make him win out here. 

He brings more length than Misa and likely a stronger physique that can do more of the dirty work in front of and around the net. Martone could also boast just as much, if not more playmaker, potential, so there’s a legitimate case to be made here. 

And no, I’m not saying Martone is a better prospect than Misa, and if it were me, I’d still select Misa No. 1. At the moment, anyway, if I were to choose between the two forwards. All I’m saying is: The Isles need to give Martone some serious consideration, given his overall strengths. 

Selecting Porter Martone No. 1 overall could have a downside

If the Islanders selected Matthew Schaefer or Michael Misa, I can see them opting for something closer to a retool. So, the downside with drafting Martone would signal a rebuild, and I said the same would likely be the case if the Isles took James Hagens.

Just because I’m saying ‘downside,’ it doesn’t mean I’m opposed to a rebuild on Long Island. The term is more of the fact it’d be a downer in an immediate sense, since the Isles would be looking at a long three to five seasons should they go that route. It’s something that won’t likely be the case if they brought in Schaefer or Misa, two players who can contribute right away. 

Still, Martone’s potential is beyond limitless, and if he added another 15 to 20 pounds of muscle over the next few seasons and put on a couple of inches, he'd be way more than just a playmaking forward with more-than-ideal size. And that’s the kind of player just about any team in the NHL would love to build around.

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