Overview

• The New York Islanders are widely expected to use their No. 1 overall pick on Matthew Schaefer, who topped TSN’s unanimous final mock ranking despite playing just 21 games this season due to illness and injury.
• Michael Misa secured nine of ten second-place votes to lock in his status as the near-unanimous No. 2 prospect after a 62-goal, 134-point campaign with the Saginaw Spirit.
• Scouts describe significant volatility among the next seven prospects, noting that players ranked third through ninth are separated by minimal differences in talent and projection.
• Brandon Wheat Kings centre Roger McQueen’s back injury and limited season appearances have raised concerns that could push him outside the top 10 on draft day.
• Analysts praise the draft’s above-average goaltender depth and identify multiple players outside the top 32 who could receive first-round consideration.