The New York Islanders’ season had a lot of highs and lows in 2025-2026. A season that had high hopes of a playoff spot came crashing down during a late-season collapse. Despite missing the playoffs, New York saw promise throughout the year. Rookie sensation Matthew Schaefer, along with vets like Bo Horvat and Matthew Barzal, provided high-level offense. Goaltender Ilya Sorokin played at a Vezina-caliber pace, and the Islanders as a whole laid the foundation for the future.
Even with the talent already on the roster, the young talent on the way is just as promising. The current roster saw Schaefer dominating as an 18-year-old defenseman, and rookie Cal Ritchie, who showcased elite vision and playmaking. Although these two alone have shown promise, the Islanders’ prospect pool is still among the top of the league. While some players have graduated from prospect status, many of their top prospects are yet to make their debuts.
Three of the Islanders’ top prospects have recently signed their ELCs and could be up with the team as early as next year.
1. RW Victor Eklund
The Islanders landed Victor Eklund with the 16th pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, the second of the three first-round picks from this draft. Brother of San Jose Sharks forward William Eklund, the Swedish prospect is listed at 5-foot-11, 170 pounds. Despite being smaller, Eklund plays bigger than his size.
Eklund’s play on the boards, along with his never-ending and relentless motor, helps him win puck battles at a high rate. To go with his motor, he also has great vision in the offensive zone. His ability to create plays offensively allows him to be plugged in anywhere and make an impact.
In his season with Djurgårdens IF in the SHL, Eklund had six goals and 18 assists for 24 points in 43 games. Since he signed his ELC before the season, Eklund was able to report to the Islanders’ AHL affiliate in Bridgeport right after his SHL season. In seven games, he scored 2 goals and 7 assists for 9 points, helping Bridgeport make the playoffs.
For the final game of the season, New York promoted Eklund to the NHL to make his debut.
In his debut, he was just as advertised with his high motor and board play. Playing on the first line and the top power-play unit, he was given big minutes and performed well. In the second period, Eklund made a beautiful saucer pass over to Barzal, who dished it to Horvat for a goal, giving Eklund his first career point.
Eklund played 15 minutes, with two shots on goal, two hits, and an assist. His strong play in his debut makes it very likely he will be a part of the Islanders full-time next season.
2. LHD Kashawn Aitcheson
One pick after selecting Eklund 16th overall, the Islanders used the 17th pick on defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson. Aitcheson is a 6-foot-2, 196-pound defenseman who has a strong two-way game. He plays a hard, physical game with a strong shot and has the potential to be a shutdown defender as well. His energy on the ice makes him an immediate fan favorite when he joins the team.
Currently playing for the Barrie Colts in the OHL, Aitcheson has 28 goals and 42 assists for 70 points in 56 games. For the Colts, he has become their all-time points leader among defensemen.
Aitcheson signed his ELC in March, allowing him to either join the NHL or AHL roster next season. Regardless of which roster he is a part of, Aitcheson’s style of play brings a new dynamic to the Islanders’ defense. His offensive abilities, combined with his physical play on defense, make him an intriguing prospect in the Islanders’ system.
3. LW Cole Eiserman
The Islanders drafted Cole Eiserman with the 20th pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. Eiserman was a projected top prospect due to his elite goal scoring, but with concerns about the rest of his game, he fell to the Islanders at 20.
When it comes to Eiserman, his release is automatic, allowing him to get shots off with ease. Going into his draft year, Eiserman set the all-time USNDTP goal-scoring record, with 127 goals within 2 seasons. Since being drafted, he has maintained his goal-scoring touch at Boston University with 43 goals in 71 games.
After his sophomore season with Boston, Eiserman signed his ELC and joined the AHL team in Bridgeport on an ATO. Since joining Bridgeport, Eiserman’s game proved to be more than one-dimensional. In 12 games, Eiserman had two goals and seven assists for nine points. His playmaking and defensive abilities with Bridgeport proved to fans that he is more than just a scoring threat.
Prospect Impact on Islanders Needs
Although the Islanders had a year above expectations, the team still had major flaws that needed to be addressed. With the team lacking true goal scorers, physicality, and play drivers, Eklund, Aitcheson, and Eiserman are players who can immediately fix that in the near future.
All three of these prospects bring elements desperately needed on the island. The New York Islanders’ roster already has some promising young talent and proven stars. Overall, with the addition of the new wave of prospects on the way, the Islanders are on the right path, showing promise for their future.
Leave a comment