Islanders take defenseman Malte Gustafsson with No. 13 pick in 2026 NHL Draft

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.  Sign up for Inside the Islanders by Ethan Sears, a weekly Sports+ exclusive.

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Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! The Islanders will next pick Saturday in the fourth round.They don’t have a second- or third-round selection. ...