Islanders Set for NHL Draft Lottery With 10th-Best Odds

The New York Islanders have officially missed the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, concluding their season with a 4-3 shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on April 12. With their postseason hopes dashed, the focus now shifts to the upcoming NHL Draft Lottery, where the Islanders hold the 10th-best odds to secure a top-two pick. 

Draft Lottery Odds Breakdown

As per the current standings, the Islanders have:

• A 3.5% chance of winning the No. 1 overall pick

• A 3.7% chance of securing the No. 2 overall pick

• A 73.3% chance of retaining their current position at No. 10

• An 18.4% chance of dropping to No. 11

• A 0.9% chance of falling to No. 12

These odds are determined by the NHL's draft lottery system, which allows teams to move up a maximum of 10 spots from their finishing position. 

Historical Context

The Islanders have not selected in the top 10 since 2014, when they chose Michael Dal Colle at No. 5 overall. A top-10 pick this year would provide a valuable opportunity to bolster their prospect pool and potentially accelerate their rebuilding efforts.

Looking Ahead

The NHL Draft Lottery is scheduled to take place in early May, with the exact date yet to be announced. The 2025 NHL Draft itself will be held in Los Angeles on June 27–28. Teams like the Islanders, who have missed the playoffs, will be vying for a chance to select top prospects such as defenseman Matthew Schaefer, who is widely regarded as the top available player. 

As the Islanders await the lottery results, the focus will be on how they can leverage their draft position to strengthen their roster and return to playoff contention in the near future.