What happened: The agreement was completed less than three weeks after the draft following the 18-year-old defenseman's performance at summer development camp. Gustafsson plans to remain overseas for the upcoming 2026-27 season to compete with HV71 in the Swedish Hockey League. If he plays fewer than 10 NHL games next season, the contract will slide without burning its initial year.

Why it matters: This overseas pathway mirrors the route taken by 2025 first-round selection Victor Eklund, who played for Djurgårdens IF before making his NHL debut in Game 82 last season. Preserving entry-level contract slides creates valuable cap management options as the Islanders pivot to a transition season. Building physical maturity against professional competition in Sweden prepares Gustafsson to eventually emerge as a core contributor on New York's blue line.

What to watch: Gustafsson will bypass New York's autumn training camps to focus on the start of the SHL regular season with HV71. Islanders evaluators will track his performance overseas before deciding whether he transitions to North America at the conclusion of his Swedish campaign.