The Islanders are continuing to build up their blue line.
After re-signing Tony DeAngelo to a two-year deal Friday, they later used their first-round pick (13th overall) in the NHL draft on Swede Malte Gustafsson.
The pick was introduced by last year’s No. 1 overall pick, Matthew Schaefer, who won the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie.
“Most strong teams that draft well, the strategy is always to take the best player available,” general manager Mathieu Darche said. “Malte is a 6-4-½ if not 6-5, 200-pound defenseman. Very strong skater for his size, moves the puck, likes to play physical, hard to play against. You can never have enough defensemen, good defensemen. “
Malte Gustafsson is pictured alongside Matthew Schaefer after getting picked in the 2026 NHL Draft on June 26. Getty ImagesGustafsson, known for his physicality as a showdown blueliner, comes from HV71 of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), the country’s top professional league. As a 17-year-old, he spent most of last year in the SHL and notched three assists in 27 regular-season games. He also appeared for the club’s under-20 team and produced 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in 19 games.
Gustafsson recently signed a one-year extension to remain in Sweden, so he won’t be joining the Islanders next year. He plans to take part in their development camp for prospects.
Malte Gustafsson participates in the agility test for the
NHL Scouting Combine on June 6. NHLI via Getty Images“I’m a big two-way defender. I like to contribute all over the ice,” he said. “I like to use my size, my length, play physical and compete. I have a pretty similar style to Victor Hedman.”
Gustafsson said he is “annoying” on the ice. Asked what that means, he replied: “hitting people.”
Gustafsson, now 18, earned a gold medal as an alternate captain for Team Sweden at the 2026 IIHF Under-18 World Junior Championship. He was named to the tournament’s All-Star Team after tallying five points (one goal, four assists) in six games.
He also won a silver medal as an alternative captain for Sweden at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He had six points (two goals, four assists) in five games.
“I debated with a few of our scouts about the big forwards. They’re all saying, Malte is a guy that stops those guys,” Darche said. “We’re all happy with the pick.”
Darche said he spoke to teams about potentially moving up in the draft, but the right trade didn’t present itself. The Islanders will next pick tomorrow in the fourth round. They don’t have a second- or third-round selection.
