The New York Islanders will not be trading the No. 1 pick at the 2025 Upper Deck NHL Draft, general manager Mathieu Darche said Tuesday.

“Matthew Schaefer is the No. 1 defense prospect in this Draft Class,” Vice President of NHL Central Scouting Dan Marr said. ” He is the complete package playing a dynamic style that generates results and influences the outcome of games. Schaefer easily projects as a future All-Star in the NHL.”

Now that the Florida Panthers have hoisted the Stanley Cup for the second, consecutive season, the eyes of the hockey world turn to the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles for the 2025 NHL Draft.