Islanders' Draft Combine Outreach Reveals Prospect List
The New York Islanders used the 2026 NHL Draft Combine in Buffalo as a chance to meet a handful of promising prospects, confirming conversations with a diverse group of players across all positions.
Among the centers who caught the team’s attention were Viggo Björck, Beckett Hamilton, Ilya Morozov, Tynan Lawrence and Oliver Suvanto, each of whom took the opportunity to showcase their abilities in front of the club’s scouting staff.
On the wing, left‑handed and right‑handed forwards, the Islanders also spoke with Ethan Belchetz, Wyatt Cullen, Ryan Roobroeck, Oscar Hemming, Adam Novotny and JP Hurlbert, while right wing Simas Ignatavicius added his name to the list of interviewees.
Defensive prospects included a mix of right‑handed blueliners such as Keaton Verhoeff, Ryan Lin, Thomas Bleyl, Daxon Rudolph and Juho Piiparinen, alongside left‑handed defensemen Malte Gustafsson, William Hakansson and Ben MacBeath, all of whom were part of the combine’s roster.
Between the pipes, goaltender Tobias Trejbal represented the Islanders in the interview process, rounding out a comprehensive list of talent evaluated during the event.
Beyond the on‑ice meetings, hockey analyst Tony Ferrari released his top 75 draft rankings, positioning Ivar Stenberg and Gavin McKenna at the very summit of his projections for the upcoming draft.
The 2026 NHL Draft itself is slated for June 26th and 27th at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, a venue that will host the Islanders’ combine activities and serve as the backdrop for the next wave of player selections.
With a blend of seasoned prospects and emerging talent, the Islanders’ combine underscores their proactive approach to building a competitive roster for the future.