Zach Schulz

January 2025 – The Islanders took a chance on a defensive defenseman in the sixth round in 2023, drafting Zach Schulz from the United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP). In his first two seasons with the Wisconsin Badgers, he has shown exactly what the Islanders expected from him. He hasn’t scored many goals, and he doesn’t draw fans out of their seats the way his teammate and fellow Islanders’ draft pick Quinn Finley might, but he has been an essential piece of the Badgers’ defense. His progression from his freshman year to his sophomore year has seen some steady growth. In 16 games this season, one less than half the games he played last year, Schulz has increased his offensive output from six total points in 2023-24 to now seven points so far in 2024-25 and a plus-minus of plus-3. Though you can expect that Schulz will not provide considerable numbers in any league, he does offer some decent defensive upside for the Islanders as a potential bottom-pair player or seventh defenseman. William Langstaff