If you want to understand what the No. 1 overall pick on Friday <a href="https://nypost.com/2025/06/25/sports/mathieu-darches-islanders-job-only-gets-harder-after-no-1-pick/">means to the Islanders</a>, there’s no better way than to look at the four times they’ve previously held the top pick.

The impact of all four decisions ended up having dramatic ramifications for years on end, from the best possible outcomes to something approaching the worst.

So, there’s no better way to get primed for Friday, when <a href="https://nypost.com/2025/06/07/sports/matthew-schaefer-fought-through-tragedies-before-becoming-likely-no-1-pick/">Matthew Schaefer is the favorite</a> to go to the Island after a miracle lottery win, than to look back.

There’s no better way to get primed for Friday, when Matthew Schaefer is the favorite to go to the Island after a miracle lottery win, than to look back.{ai:summary}<p>The Islanders' history with the No. 1 overall pick reveals significant long-term impacts from their past selections. Each of the four previous top picks has shaped the franchise, leading to both successful and challenging outcomes. As they prepare for the upcoming draft, the focus is on potential standout Matthew Schaefer. #sports</p>

The Islanders history that shows everything that’s at stake with No. 1 pick

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