Islanders & Their Late-Round NHL Draft Picks

Since 2005, the NHL Draft has consisted of seven rounds.

But, it appears that the draft could be shortened in the near future once the CBA expires following the 2025-26 season:

The New York Islanders have not used their first-round pick since taking forward Simon Holmstrom 23rd overall in 2019, as later-round draft picks have been more of the norm under general manager Lou Lamoriello.

We have yet to see one of his late-rounders pan out at the NHL level, but there's still time for players like forward Matthew Maggio (who has played one year of pro hockey) and defenseman Isaiah George (who is turning pro), among others, to turn into everyday NHLers.

Sometimes, those late-round picks don't join the organization, like forward Alexander Ljungkrantz (2020, No. 90), who New York did not sign to an entry-level contract by June 1.

They also didn't sign Matias Rajaniemi (2020, No. 183), but the defenseman did sign a one-year AHL deal with Bridgeport.

In the nearly twenty years of this draft format, the Islanders have made many selections in rounds 4-7.

Some have made the NHL and have had an impact.

Two have been longtime Islanders.

Here's a look back at the Islanders' most notable late-round picks from 2005 to 2017:

Andrew MacDonald

Taken in the sixth round at the 2006 NHL Draft,  Andrew MacDonald played 581 games in the NHL.

He spent parts of six seasons with the Islanders and was sent to the Philadelphia Flyers near the 2014 NHL Trade Deadline for a third-round pick in 2014.

The Islanders used that pick on now No. 1 netminder Ilya Sorokin.

In 295 games with the Islanders, MacDonald recorded 17 goals with 72 assists.

Jared Spurgeon

Selecting in the sixth round of the 2008 Draft, Jared Spurgeon has gone on to have a successful NHL career...just not with the Islanders.

The Islanders opted not to sign Spurgeon to his entry-level contract, eventually signing with the Minnesota Wild.

He is currently Minnesota's captain and has 384 points (110 goals, 274 assists) in 867 games.

Matt Martin

A fan-favorite Islander, Matt Martin, was picked just one round before Spurgeon, going in the fifth round back in 2008.

All of Martin's career has been spent on Long Island except for two years from 2016 to 2018 when he played for his hometown Maple Leafs.

Related: Islanders Matt Martin Calls Father-In-Law, Rangers Die-Hard Boomer Esiason Out In Funny WFAN Interview

The 35-year-old winger, who is 45 games shy of reaching the 1,000-game milestone, has been a staple on the Islanders' fourth line for years and is a pending unrestricted free agent.

Anders Lee

The most notable Islanders late-round draft pick is Anders Lee.

Captain since 2018, Lee was drafted in the sixth round in 2009, the same year former Islanders captain John Tavares was selected first overall.

Lee was selected later in the draft because many teams were unsure if the power forward would commit to playing hockey or football.

The Islanders were granted good fortune, as Lee chose hockey, playing three seasons at Notre Dame before having a successful NHL career.

Related: Islanders Captain Anders Lee Wins King Clancy Memorial Trophy

Lee has scored 260 goals and tallied 193 assists for 453 points in 759 career games with the Orange and Blue.

Kyle Burroughs

Drafted in the seventh round back in 2013, defenseman Kyle Burroughs spent five seasons in Bridgeport (2015-20), never getting a chance with the big club.

He was traded to the Colorado Avalanche in 2020 for forward A.J. Greer.

Burroughs has played more NHL minutes in the past few years, spending time with the Vancouver Canucks and last season with the San Jose Sharks.

Alan Quine

Pcked in the sixth round of the 2013 Draft, Alan Quine only played 84 games with the Islanders, but one moment stands out.

His only career postseason goal was a double-overtime winner in Game 5 against the Florida Panthers in 2016:

That win put the Islanders up 3-2 in the first round and set up their first playoff series win in 23 years.

Andong Song

When the Islanders drafted Andong Song with their sixth-round pick in 2015, he became the first-ever player drafted who was born in China.

Song never appeared in the NHL, nor did he ever sign a contract with the Islanders.

He planned to play his college hockey at Cornell University but never got high on their depth charts.

Arnaud Durandeau

Back in 2017, the Islanders selected Arnaud Durandeau in the sixth round.

He played nine games with the Islanders toward the end of the 2022-23 season and had two assists.

But after not making the NHL squad in 2023-24 and barely playing for Bridgeport, Durandeau was traded to the New Jersey Devils organization for Tyce Thompson.

Related: Islanders Acquire Long Island Native Tyce Thompson from Devils for Durandeau

Durandeau never got a shot at the NHL level in New Jersey. He played 26 games with the Utica Comets before being shipped to the Montreal Canadiens, where he played 10 games for their AHL squad, the Laval Rockets.

Sebastian Aho

The Islanders' fifth-round pick in 2017, Sebastian has been an extra defenseman on the NHL squad since 2021-22.

Aho has 50 points in 190 career games players, appearing in 58 games for the Islanders during the 2023-24 season.

In six playoff games (all in 2023) Aho recorded one assist, coming in the Islanders' Game 3 win.

Aho is a pending unrestricted free agent.

Time will tell if the NHL cuts the draft short. The Islanders' late-round picks may never initially gain headlines, but they can become big names over time.

fI the draft is shortened, more undrafted free-agent contracts will be given out, creating more uncertainty.

In a separate article, we will highlight Lou Lamoriello's late-round selections since joining the Islanders front office in 2018.

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