Islanders first-round pick Malte Gustafsson signs entry-level deal
The Islanders' Malte Gustafsson participates in drills on the first day of prospect camp on June 29 in East Meadow. Credit: Newsday/Howard Schnapp
The groundwork is set for Malte Gustafsson to bring his talents to North America. But don’t expect the Islanders’ first-round pick to join the organization just yet.
Gustafsson, selected 13th overall in the NHL Draft last month, signed a three-entry level deal, the Islanders announced on Tuesday. However, the left-shot defenseman also agreed to a one-year contract extension with HV71 of the Swedish Hockey League in May.
Gustafsson said at both Islanders’ development camp, which ran from June 28-July 2 at Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow, and during the NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo the first week of June that he intended to play one more season in Sweden before coming to North America.
The 6-4, 203-pound Gustafsson, a defensive-minded blue-liner, had three assists in 27 games for HV71 Jonkoping in Sweden’s top league as a 17-year-old. He also had four goals and eight assists in 19 games for HV71 Jr.
By agreeing to a three-year, $3.23 million NHL entry-level deal now, Gustafsson could join the Islanders’ organization later this season after the Swedish league’s campaign ends. That’s what right wing Victor Eklund, the 16th overall pick in 2025, did last season as he notched six goals and 18 assists in 43 games for Djurgardens IF in the Swedish league before coming to North America and compiling three goals and seven assists in nine games for the Islanders’ AHL affiliate (then based in Bridgeport, Connecticut) and one assist in the Islanders’ season finale.
Gustafsson’s entry-level deal would “slide” if he plays fewer than 10 NHL games, meaning the first season of the contract would not be triggered until 2027-28.
Gustafsson seemed comfortable with that potential timeline when speaking with Newsday during development camp.
“One year in Sweden then the plan is to come over and fight for a spot,” Gustafsson said. “I had some idea of the range I was going [to be drafted] in. Of course, I was hoping for a high spot in the draft. It feels great.”
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.
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