NHL Draft: Three things to know about Islanders draft pick Malte Gustafsson
Malte Gustafsson poses for a portrait after being selected 13th overall by Islanders during the 2026 NHL Draft on Friday in Buffalo. Credit: Getty Images/Joe Hrycych
Three things to know about Malte Gustafsson:
1. A shutdown defender. The 6-4, 203-pound Gustafsson’s forte is using his elite skating ability to defend against the rush as he’s able to match his opponents’ speed. His defensive ability stood out last season in Sweden’s top league even as he played as a 17-year-old. He’s adept at closing gaps and gaining possession of the puck.
2. Shades of Victor Hedman. Gustafsson compared his playing style to fellow Swede Victor Hedman, a former Norris Trophy winner as the NHL’s top defenseman and a two-time Stanley Cup winner with the Lightning. Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche, the former Lightning assistant GM, obviously is familiar with both. “We’d all agree if he becomes Victor Hedman, we’ll all be happy,” Darche said. “A lot of winning teams have big defensemen.”
3. International experience. Gustafsson earned a gold medal as Team Sweden’s alternate captain at the 2026 IIHF Under-18 World Junior Championship and was named to that tournament’s all-star team with one goal and four assists in six games. He also earned a silver with Team Sweden at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup with two goals and four assists in five games.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
