With coach Mike Sullivan gone, Kyle Dubas has alluded to the likelihood that the Penguins are going to enter a rebuild, whether it is a full tear-down or a retool, the Penguins will need prospects. Kyle Dubas has done a good job rebuilding the prospect pool, but the Penguins lack a stud blueline prospect.
Matthew Schaefer
There is a prospect in the 2025 draft who meets all the Penguins' needs, and that is Matthew Schaefer. Schaefer is likely going to be the first overall pick in June, and unfortunately, since the Penguins are picking 11th (and 12th probably), this means they will not be in position to take him.
Audentes Fortuna Iuvat
In his most famous work, The Aeneid, the Roman poet Virgil said Fortune favors the bold and I think Kyle Dubas should be bold and make a play to move up to 1st overall. The Penguins need a legitimate defense prospect, and Schaefer fits that mold. Also, picking 11th and 12th is not as valuable as selecting first overall.
The Trade
The Penguins in this trade would acquire the first overall selection, which they would then use on Matthew Schaefer; they would also take on Pierre Engvall's awful contract. He was sent down to the AHL this year and has a deal that pays him $3 million AAV until 2030, and who knows, maybe a change of scenery would help him.
What is the benefit for the Islanders? It depends on how much they value taking Schaefer or forward Michael Misa. The Islanders have a couple of younger defensemen, including Noah Dobson, as well as Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock, who are under contract until 2029 and 2030, respectively.
Also, the Islanders have a pretty poor prospect pool, except for Calum Ritchie and Cole Eiserman. The inclusion of Owen Pickering will give them a defense prospect, and the multiple selections in the first round will enable them to add additional prospect depth.
Final thought
I must note, this is the maximum I would give up for this pick. If I were the Pens, I would avoid trading the 2026 first-round pick at all costs, and if the Islanders ask for significantly more than what I have proposed here, I would not be unhappy. The Pens need to add as many young players as possible so selecting 11th and 12th is not the worst thing.