Andrew Gross

1 week ago | newsday.com | Andrew Gross

The Islanders’ next boss must be NHL Draft savvy. Of course, that should be a requisite for any general manager. But it certainly moved up the list of required job skills after the Islanders improbably won Monday night’s Draft Lottery for the first pick this June. It’s been just over two weeks since the Islanders announced they would not renew the contract of president/general manager Lou Lamoriello. It’s believed the organization would like to make a hire within the next two weeks.

1 week ago | newsday.com | Andrew Gross

The Islanders won Monday night’s NHL Draft Lottery and have the first overall selection on June 27 in Los Angeles. Here are scouting reports on five of the top prospects:Caleb DesnoyersCenter, Moncton (Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League), 6-2, 178: The lefthanded playmaker had 35 goals and 49 assists in 56 regular-season games in his second QMJHL season. He’s not shy of shooting but his shot still needs development. He is a strong skater capable at both ends of the ice.

1 week ago | newsday.com | Andrew Gross

So the Islanders have the No. 1 pick in the NHL Draft in Los Angeles on June 27 thanks to their long shot win in Monday night’s Draft Lottery, which they entered with just a 3.5% chance of moving up from the 10th spot. Now what? It’s not like there’s a clear-cut Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid or even a Connor Bedard or Macklin Celebrini decision to be made here. There are options, perhaps three very enticing ones that whoever is hired as the Islanders’ new general manager will have to weigh.

1 week ago | newsday.com | Andrew Gross

The Islanders beat long odds in the NHL Draft Lottery, meaning the welcome gift for whoever they hire as their new general manager is the No. 1 pick this June. They entered Monday night’s draw in Secaucus, New Jersey with a 3.5% chance of moving up to the first pick from No. 10 and those odds increased to 18.2% after the first three ping pong balls were drawn. They needed either ball No. 5 or No. 13 to come to the top of the tube. They got the latter.

1 week ago | newsday.com | Andrew Gross

Gov. Kathy Hochul still wants an All-Star Weekend at UBS Arena. She sent an open letter to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on Monday expressing her disappointment in the league’s decision to turn the Long Island-hosted All-Star Weekend in February 2026 into what Bettman vaguely described last week as a “kickoff going to the Olympics.”Hochul urged the NHL to commit to bringing a major event of equal or greater value to All-Star Weekend to UBS Arena the following year.