Overview

• The Islanders acquired picks No. 16 and No. 17 by trading defenseman Noah Dobson to the Montreal Canadiens on June 27.
• General manager Mathieu Darche explored deals to move into the top ten to select Long Island native James Hagens but could not secure a suitable trade.
• Boston used the seventh overall pick to draft Hagens, who expressed gratitude to remain in the Boston area and is likely to return to Boston College.
• With their mid-first-round selections intact, New York chose winger Victor Eklund at No. 16 and defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson at No. 17.
• Both Eklund and Aitcheson were rated highly on the Islanders’ draft board and are key pieces in the team’s long-term development strategy.