Things will be different at this year’s two-day NHL Draft in Los Angeles, and not because the Islanders hold the first overall pick.

The NHL is experimenting with a decentralized draft, meaning team personnel will remain at their respective facilities’ while the top prospects, their families and fans will fill the Peacock Theater. So there will be no intrigue of watching general managers chat on the draft floor about potential deals.

The first round will be Friday night, June 27, while rounds 2-7 are Saturday.

The Islanders won the NHL Draft Lottery on May 5 despite just a 3.5% chance to do so and are expected to select Ontario Hockey League defenseman Matthew Schaefer.

The Rangers, who currently have the 12th overall pick, have until 48 hours before the draft to decide whether to keep it or cede it to the Penguins. The Rangers must give up either this year’s first-rounder or their 2026 first-round selection to the Penguins, who acquired the conditional pick the Rangers used as part of the trade package to the Canucks for J.T. Miller on Jan. 31.

Here is how Newsday projects the first round:

Schaefer’s elite skating skills – he’s likely the best skater in the draft regardless of position – playmaking ability and defensive acumen that allow him to stand out on both the power play and penalty kill rocketed the 17-year-old to the top of the NHL Central Scouting Bureau’s rankings for North American skaters despite illness and a broken collarbone limiting him to 17 OHL games. He’s fully healthy now.

An elite skater with superb on-ice vision is strong with the puck on the stick and excelled after moving back to center this season with 62 goals and 72 assists in 65 games. His defensive game is still developing but he projects as a strong two-way player with a chance to be a gamebreaker.

NHL Central Scouting Bureau’s top-ranked European skater has an NHL-sized body and perhaps the best shot in the draft. He’s also a strong forechecker who does not mind physical play. Frondell, who had 11 goals and 14 assists in 29 games in Sweden’s second-tier league, is expected to play one more season in his home country.

The Hauppauge product dropped to No. 3 in NHL Scouting Bureau’s final rankings for North American skaters after compiling 11 goals and 26 assists in 37 games as a freshman. But he’s still considered the draft’s best playmaker as his top-notch skating and passing abilities allow him to find holes in the defense.

His size allows him to play an effective power forward role – physical on the walls and in going to the net – but Martone also has the soft hands of an elite shooter. He compiled 37 goals and 61 assists in 57 OHL games and he’s also been noted for his leadership skills.

A high hockey IQ and an ability to initiate and create off the rush stand out even if Desnoyers’ raw talent isn’t at the same level of some of the other prospects. He works well in support of teammates rather than being able to dominate one-on-one, though he notched 35 goals and 49 assists in 56 QMJHL games.

The strength of Martin’s game is in his physical play despite his size. He’s strong around the net and is able to make an impact in all three zones, compiling 33 goals and 39 assists in 57 OHL games.

The extremely mobile, right-handed shot had three goals and 32 assists in 43 WHL games in his first season in North America after coming from his native Czechia. He’s strong on the rush and also uses his size to his best advantage defensively.

A back injury initially suffered during the 2023-24 season limited McQueen to 17 WHL games (10 goals, 10 assists). Otherwise, he might have been a top five pick. He has intriguing size and good skating ability and is very strong with the puck.

A strong two-way player who compiled 32 goals and 66 assists in 66 OHL games. His high hockey IQ and strong passing abilities allow O’Brien to control play with his reads and anticipation.

The Penguins may move the pick but a defenseman makes sense for them. The left-handed Smith is a smooth skater who had 11 goals and 43 assists in 68 WHL games and is headed to Penn State.

Assuming they keep the pick, the Rangers’ biggest organizational need is quality young defensemen. Aitcheson’s 26 goals were third-most among OHL defensemen last season and his 59 points were seventh, plus he added six goals and six assists in 16 playoff games. He plays a physical game and patterns his style after the Bruins’ Charlie McAvoy of Long Beach.

The younger brother of Sharks forward William Eklund, his 31 points (19 goals, 12 assists) were the most by an 18-year-old in the Swedish pro league’s second division since Elias Pettersson’s 41 points in 2016-17. NHL Central Scouting ranked him No. 2 among European skaters.

Bear had 40 goals and 42 assists in 56 WHL games before suffering a season-ending Achilles’ tendon laceration. He could be a bargain here.

A former football player, Carbonneau is a power forward who finished as the second-leading scorer in the QMJHL with 46 goals and 43 assists in 62 games.

A two-way center who rose from No. 34 at midseason to 25 in the final NHL Central Scouting rankings for North American skaters. He had 26 goals and 92 points in 62 WHL games and is committed to North Dakota.

Critics hoped the right-handed shot and strong skater would have produced more than just two goals and 10 assists in 32 games as a freshman. But he did win a gold with Team USA at the World Juniors.

Strong skater and solid penalty killer who projects as a middle-six center. Cootes had 26 goals and 37 assists in 60 WHL games as Seattle’s captain.

Skilled passer with a hard shot who likens himself to Sabres’ star Tage Thompson. He missed seven weeks with an injury but still led Moose Jaw with 27 goals, 31 assists and 58 points.

He’s small but an excellent skater with solid two-way skills and high hockey IQ. His draft stock rose after notching 14 goals and 40 assists in 67 OHL games.

A Texas native whose father, Vernon, played for the Stars. The defense-first, right-handed shot chipped in with 10 goals and 23 assists in 64 WHL games.

The Flyers can never seem to get it right in net so they take a shot on the NHL’s top-ranked North American goalie, who catches right and has an NHL-sized frame.

Strong defensive forward who had 25 goals and 39 assists in 63 OHL games, plus five points in six games for Canada at the World U18s.

Two-way center whose 18 goals and 24 assists in 40 games in Sweden’s junior league earned him an eight-game call-up to the senior circuit. NHL Central Scouting ranked him third among European skaters.

Longtime Arizona State coach Greg Powers called the son of Hockey Hall of Famer and Olympic Gold medalist Jenny Potter, “the best player that’s ever played here.”

Ivankovic may be short but he was the first 17-year-old goalie to start a game for Canada at the World Juniors and backstopped Canada to the gold medal at the U18s, going 6-0-0 with two shutouts and a 1.05 GAA.

A strong skater who can play a simple, gritty game and notched 32 goals and 41 assists in 65 OHL games.

The son of Shawn Horcoff, who played 15 NHL seasons for the Oilers, Stars and Ducks, uses his size very effectively, especially on the forecheck.

An above-average skater who had three goals and 10 assists in 40 games as a freshman and may be able to contribute at both ends of the ice in the NHL.

A slick skater with a strong wrist shot who compiled 10 goals and 32 assists in 67 OHL games.

A raw talent who can effectively use his size and has a shoot-first, shoot-often mentality.

A potential steal with strong offensive upside – he had 35 goals and 64 assists in 65 OHL games – who may wind up playing wing.