The Islanders are continuing to build up their blue line.
Early on Friday, they re-signed Tony DeAngelo to a two-year deal, and later in the day, they used their first-round pick (13th overall) on Swede Malte Gustafsson.
The pick was introduced by last year’s No. 1 overall pick, Matthew Schaeffer, who won the Calder Trophy, given to the sport’s top rookie.
He’s a big defenseman, 6-foot-4 and 201 pounds.
The 18-year-old Gustafsson comes from HV71 of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL).
Gustafsson played for Sweden at the 2024 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, getting a bronze medal, and the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he received a silver medal.
NHL Scouting Combine on June 6. NHLI via Getty Images
The Islanders will next pick Saturday in the fourth round.
They don’t have a second- or third-round selection.