​  
The Islanders have selected another defenseman with their first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Fitting that Matthew Schaefer, last year’s No. 1 overall pick, was in attendance to announce Malte Gustafsson was selected with the No. 13 overall pick on Friday night.

“I’m a big two-way defender,” Gustafsson told the media after being drafted. “I like to contribute all over the ice. I like to use my size, my length, play physical and compete. I have a pretty similar style to Victor Hedman.”
Gustafsson, 18, spent the majority of the 2025-26 season in Sweden’s top professional league, recording three assists in 27 regular-season games. Appearing in the club’s Under-20 team, Gustafsson recorded 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in 19 games.
Internationally, Gustafsson earned a gold medal as an alternate captain for Sweden at the 2026 IIHF Under-18 World Junior Championship, being named to the tournament’s All-Star Team after posting five points (one goal, four assists) in six games.
      ​Read More