With the New York Islanders in possession of their first-round decide for the primary time since 2019 after they took Simon Holmstrom, it’s a nice time to replicate on their draft historical past. There have been some nice choices and disappointing busts, so who have been one of the best and worst within the staff’s latest historical past?
10. Michael Dal Colle, Left Wing, 2014, fifth General
Beginning off the record is likely one of the best draft busts in NHL historical past. Michael Dal Colle performed simply 112 video games throughout 5 NHL seasons, scoring eight objectives and 21 factors. The difficulty for him stemmed from his time with the Islanders. After getting drafted, he scored 42 objectives and 93 factors in 56 video games for the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).
Dal Colle plateaued with Oshawa the next season, scoring seven fewer objectives and 15 fewer whole factors. He proceeded to affix the Bridgeport Islanders for a season or two earlier than becoming a member of the NHL membership in New York. Nevertheless, he was by no means capable of translate his offensive manufacturing to skilled hockey for a full season, and he now performs in Germany for the Iserlohn Roosters.
9. Griffin Reinhart, Left Protection, 2012, 4th General
The one purpose Griffin Reinhart just isn’t on the backside of the record is due to what he was traded for. In hindsight, it’s arduous to see what groups noticed in Reinhart. He was a consensus top-10 prospect, however neither his offense nor protection was worthy of being a first-round choice. He performed simply 37 common season NHL video games, scoring two assists in whole. Nevertheless, he was traded to the Edmonton Oilers for first and second-round picks that become Mat Barzal and Anthony Beauvillier, so the Islanders redeemed the choice.
Associated: New York Islanders’ Prime 10 Prospects
One other redeeming concern from the 2012 Draft was the extremely weak top-four draft picks. The primary three choices have been Nail Yakupov, Ryan Murray, and Alex Galchenyuk, so it’s not precisely just like the groups forward of the Islanders did significantly better. Additionally, outdoors of some choices, it was a disappointing first-round draft class.
8. Josh Ho-Sang, Proper Wing, 2014, twenty eighth General
Persevering with with the disappointing draft choices is Josh Ho-Sang. The distinction between Ho-Sang and Dal Colle is that he offered some offensive manufacturing in his Islanders tenure. He completed his 53-game stint with seven objectives and 24 factors however struggled to remain within the lineup as a result of off-ice points. Trying again, his struggles are probably a mixture of Ho-Sang’s perspective and poor teaching, however that doesn’t change the very fact he was a disappointing draft choice.
7. Kieffer Bellows, Left Wing/Heart, 2016, nineteenth General
Kieffer Bellows introduced a variety of hope to the Islanders prospect pool. After drafting Dal Colle and Ho-Sang within the latest drafts, Bellows was seen as a safer prospect. Nevertheless, he nonetheless struggled, enjoying simply 68 common season video games for the Islanders, scoring 11 objectives and 25 factors. He was a bodily presence within the backside six who did not earn alternatives within the prime six or powerplay, so it’s clear there was untapped potential. On the finish of his Islanders tenure it grew to become clear he was not going to search out success on Lengthy Island, so the staff determined to put him on waivers the place the Philadelphia Flyers snagged him. Since getting claimed, he has struggled to remain within the NHL, primarily enjoying with the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League.
6. Oliver Wahlstrom, Proper Wing, 2018, eleventh General
Beginning to flip the nook on draft choices is Oliver Wahlstrom. The one distinction between Wahlstrom and Bellows is his upside was even greater, and he had one sturdy season within the NHL. In his rookie season, he scored 12 objectives and 21 factors in 44 video games. Nevertheless, he has simply 22 objectives and 46 factors in 140 video games since then, failing to earn an everyday spot within the lineup. Heading into the offseason, it has turn into unimaginable to see him return to the Islanders subsequent season.
5. Simon Holmstrom, Left Wing/Proper Wing, 2019, twenty third General
Simon Holmstrom remains to be initially of his NHL journey however he has offered one thing few different Islanders prospects have. He’s a robust two-way winger and he’s nice on the penalty kill. Since he doesn’t dominate in anyone facet of the sport, it’s arduous to venture his upside, however he ought to proceed his growth and turn into a lineup common within the Islanders’ backside six shifting ahead.
4. Anthony Beauvillier, Proper Wing/Left Wing, 2015, twenty eighth General
Anthony Beauvillier embodied what it meant to be an Islander in his tenure with the Blue and Orange. He’s a hard-working winger who makes use of his velocity and agility to energy the offense. He was repeatedly unfold all through the lineup however shined in his restricted alternatives within the prime six. His departure was emotional however obligatory as he was included within the Bo Horvat acquisition. Transferring ahead, Beauvillier is a free agent this offseason and it’s not out of the query to see him return to the Islanders as a depth ahead.
3. Ryan Pulock, Proper Protection, 2013, fifteenth General
An incredible draft choice by the Islanders was Ryan Pulock within the 2013 Draft. On the time, the staff wanted a bodily defenseman who may assist energy the offense. Pulock offered simply that, changing into a dominant top-pairing defenseman alongside Adam Pelech for a lot of seasons.
Pulock was a key a part of the Islanders’ deep playoff runs in 2020 and 2021 however has since struggled with accidents. Nevertheless, he’s going to be absolutely wholesome to start out the 2024-25 season and may look to construct on the offensive success he had late within the 2023-24 season. He’s additionally set to stay with the Islanders for some time since he has six seasons left on his contract, so any offensive enhance can be very useful.
2. Noah Dobson, Proper Protection, 2018, twelfth General
Noah Dobson has developed into one of many NHL’s greatest right-handed defensemen. At simply 24 years previous, the 6-foot-4 defenseman scored 10 objectives and 70 factors, retaining the Islanders’ powerplay from being one of many worst within the league. He is a superb skater with elite imaginative and prescient and a robust shot, offering offense wherever he can. His protection is a weak spot, however it has improved. With extra time, he has the potential to win the James Norris Memorial Trophy in some unspecified time in the future in his profession.
1. Mat Barzal, Heart, 2015, sixteenth General
Mat Barzal is a straightforward alternative for the first-place spot. As a rookie, he received the Calder Memorial Trophy after scoring 22 objectives and 85 factors. As soon as John Tavares left, Barzal was compelled to prematurely turn into the face of the franchise, and he has not disenchanted. The 2023-24 season introduced a career-high in objectives (23) and 80 factors. Each NHL fan is aware of him and with seven extra seasons below contract with the Islanders, anticipate Barzal to rise within the ranks among the many franchise’s prime level producers.
The Islanders will likely be choosing twentieth on the NHL Draft this Friday (June 28). This would be the 62nd Entry Draft in league historical past, the primary happening in Las Vegas, and the primary with the Utah Hockey Membership.
