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

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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.


Matthew Schaefer and Malte Gustafsson at the 2026 NHL Draft.
Malte Gustafsson is pictured alongside Matthew Schaefer after getting picked in the 2026 NHL Draft on June 26. Getty Images

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. 


Malte Gustafsson #50 performing the pro agility test at the 2026 NHL Scouting Combine.
Malte Gustafsson participates in the agility test for the
NHL Scouting Combine on June 6. NHLI via Getty Images

The Islanders will next pick Saturday in the fourth round.

They don’t have a second- or third-round selection. 

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