When the New York Islanders chosen teammates and Boston College-commits Cole Eiserman and Kamil Bednarik on the 2024 NHL Draft, followers’ reminiscences instantly returned to the 2015 NHL Draft. In 2015, the group selected finest associates Mat Barzal and Anthony Beauvillier with their first two picks earlier than they developed into robust NHL forwards. This isn’t to say Eiserman and Bednarik are assured to become what Barzal and Beauvillier grew to become, it’s enjoyable to check each “bromances” since they share many parallels.
Barzal and Beauvillier’s Friendship
In 2018, Barzal and Beauvillier sat down with NHL.com’s Cory Wright for an interview. The 2 focus on how they had been roommates at Crew Canada’s Below-18 improvement camp and Beauvillier helped pack Barzal’s suitcase following an damage. From there, they grew to become associates and rose the ranks within the Canadian Hockey League (CHL). Months later, each had been drafted by the Islanders within the first spherical of the 2015 NHL Draft and “jumped into one another’s arms once they met on the concourse in orange and blue” following Beauvillier’s choice at 28.
Barzal and Beauvillier each attended their first NHL camps collectively within the 2015 summer time and made Crew Canada as 18-year-olds for the 2016 World Juniors the following season. The 12 months after that, Beauvillier made the NHL roster whereas Barzal returned to the Seattle Thunderbirds. Nevertheless, their time aside didn’t final lengthy.
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Barzal made the NHL roster the next season, continuing to attain 22 targets and 85 factors en path to profitable the Calder Memorial Trophy. Alongside Beauvillier, the 2 spent the following 5 seasons on Lengthy Island, making two deep playoff runs within the 2020 and 2021 Playoffs. Whereas Beauvillier was traded for Bo Horvat on the 2023 Commerce Deadline, his friendship with Barzal performed a key position within the improvement of every of their NHL careers.
Eiserman and Bednarik’s Historical past Collectively
Since Eiserman and Bednarik have solely performed for america Developmental Program (NTDP) as an alternative of a significant CHL group, they’ve obtained much less media consideration. Nevertheless, from what we do know, they share a decent bond. Bednarik has centered Eiserman for the higher a part of their two seasons with the NTDP, and they’re each dedicated to Boston College for the 2024-25 season.
Whereas Eiserman was a Spherical 1 decide, when Bednarik heard his title on the finish of Spherical 2 the next day, Eiserman was one of many first to congratulate him. Caught on video by Islanders’ media personnel, the 2 acquired emotional whereas expressing how proud they had been of each other. The 2 have expressed their gratitude and pleasure to hitch the Islanders, and they’re now set to embark on their developmental journeys collectively. This was all in public, so one can solely think about how emotional they had been as soon as they noticed each other in individual for the primary time.
Projecting Eiserman and Bednarik’s Careers
Whereas Eiserman and Bednarik could share the bromance of Barzal and Beauvillier, they nonetheless have quite a lot of work to achieve their NHL caliber. Bednarik turned 18 years outdated a number of weeks in the past, and Eiserman remains to be simply 17 years outdated. The 2 are more likely to embark on a number of seasons at Boston College and want some work within the American Hockey League earlier than reaching the NHL. Nevertheless, if improvement goes proper, the 2 may surpass Barzal and Beauvillier as NHL stars.
Eiserman’s manufacturing speaks for itself. By setting the NTDP’s all-time targets file of 127 and ending second in factors with 193, he places himself in the identical dialog as NHL stars Jack Hughes, Cole Caufield, Clayton Keller, and Matthew Boldy. These are lofty expectations for a 17-year-old, however there isn’t a purpose to imagine Eiserman can’t attain them. If improvement goes effectively at Boston College, Eiserman may see the NHL as early as 2026, and he may peak as a 40+ purpose, 80+ level winger on the Islanders.
Bednarik’s upside just isn’t as excessive, however he may nonetheless fulfill a group want. As a left-handed heart, Bednarik shines within the defensive side of the sport. He’s a robust skater with a large attain, and he isn’t afraid to leverage his 6-foot body when wanted. He’s not a bodily participant, however he’s additionally not afraid to hit, both, so he can develop right into a participant like Casey Cizikas with extra offensive upside if he places on some weight.
Bednarik’s comparability to Cizikas is the position he performs, not essentially what you see on the ice. Cizikas throws the physique round so much and is a greater skater, however Bednarik possesses a better upside along with his shot and imaginative and prescient. I might consider Bednarik’s manufacturing is just like Cizikas’ 2018-19 season the place he scored 20 targets in 73 video games. Bednarik will develop right into a middle-six heart who performs on the penalty kill and infrequently powerplay whereas producing north of 15 targets and 40 factors per season.
Bednarik’s upside could also be nearer to twenty+ targets and 55+ factors, however his ground is what issues. In fact, followers need to see a participant with a excessive upside at any level within the draft, however getting a participant with Bednarik’s maturity {and professional} model of hockey on the finish of the second spherical was an incredible choice by the Islanders.
Whereas it’s enjoyable to place lofty expectations in your favourite group’s draft picks, you will need to keep reasonable. Eiserman and Bednarik have quite a lot of work left in the event that they need to attain NHL stardom, so Islanders followers mustn’t get too excited, but. Nevertheless, there’s a lot to be pleased about and it is going to be thrilling to observe their journey from school to skilled hockey.
