Barely a month into his new role, first-time GM Mathieu Darche has the opportunity to add a young, NHL-ready cornerstone to a team that was just two points out of contention before collapsing down

New York Islanders co-owner Jon Ledecky is as energetic as he is honest about the importance of Friday night and the lasting impact this one moment could have on the franchise. "The future is now for the New York Islanders,

The Islanders have previously picked No. 1 four times, with John Tavares the most recent in 2009. The last time they took a defenseman atop the draft was 1973, and Denis Potvin helped them win the Stanley Cup four times in a row from 1980-83 on the way to the Hockey Hall of Fame.