Michael Misa Could Prevent a Free Agency Setback for the Islanders
The New York Islanders have the opportunity to refresh their roster this season by drafting Michael Misa, rather than relying on the free-agent market for a top-six forward.
I’ve been a strong advocate for the Islanders selecting Michael Misa in the draft. He’s a future franchise cornerstone, capable of stepping into a top-six role as soon as he pulls on a blue and orange jersey.
While I’m not completely against drafting defenseman Matthew Schaefer, the CHL’s top prospect, Misa’s addition would raise the team’s game significantly during the 2025-26 season. And frankly, I’d prefer that to the alternative of drafting Schaefer and then scrambling to sign a top-six forward in free agency.
Why Misa Over Free Agency
One reason for this preference is straightforward: I’m not impressed with the available free agents this year. Mitch Marner is the standout, with John Tavares coming in second. However, Tavares is nearing the end of his career, and I doubt many fans on Long Island would want him back, even after seven years.
Misa Brings a Fresh, Young Element to the Islanders
Drafting Misa would inject youth into the Islanders’ forward group, while their young defensemen, like Noah Dobson and Alexander Romanov, would remain key parts of the core. The Islanders still need improvement on defense, but the free-agent forward market this year isn’t appealing. Most options are either too costly, too old, or past their prime.
Other than Brock Boeser, Sam Bennett, and possibly Nikolaj Ehlers, there’s really no one I’d consider a significant upgrade. This is another reason I’d prefer Misa over Schaefer, unless the Islanders were specifically targeting Boeser or Bennett. If the Isles draft Schaefer and plan to sign one of those two, I’d feel slightly better. But even then, I’d still be cautiously optimistic. Boeser and Bennett will be 28 and 29 years old by October 2025—how many more years will they be in their prime?
If the Islanders were closer to being a true playoff contender, I might feel more confident in this approach. But the truth is, they aren’t there yet. They need players who can consistently produce offensively, and they need more than just Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat.
The Best Scenario for the Islanders This Summer
The ideal move would be for the Islanders to draft Michael Misa with the first overall pick and let the San Jose Sharks take Schaefer. Re-sign Dobson and Romanov, keep Ryan Pulock and Adam Pelech, and reinforce the third pairing. This approach would significantly improve the team’s chances, especially if Dobson returns to his previous form.
Additionally, with prospects like Calum Ritchie and Cole Eiserman coming up through the ranks, the Islanders would have a trio of young, skilled forwards they didn’t have last season. Misa would be a key part of this year’s roster, while Ritchie should make the jump soon, and Eiserman could contribute in the near future.
This would set the stage for an Islanders team with the offensive firepower they’ve been missing for far too long. This offseason represents a real opportunity for the team to get things right.
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