While many hoped to hear about a trade for a top
goaltender, very few can find flaws in the choices the Islanders made this year
based on the players that were somehow available when it came time for the team
to make their selections.
According to NHL insiders, the Islanders did very well
with the 11th and 12th selection in this year’s NHL Entry
Draft. When I did my Draft Preview, I didn’t see the players they chose as
being available, both being ranked in the top 7 by Central Scouting. It seemed
to be the theme of the day. The Oilers selected my first choice for the
Islanders by taking D, Evan Bouchard. But the Isles did select RW, Oliver Wahlstrom at 11 and D, Noah Dobson with the 12th
pick. "They are outstanding prospects," Lamoriello said.
"The offensive player (Wahlstrom) is a prolific scorer, he has great
hands, very talented and the defenseman from Quebec, Dobson, has so much upside
as far as skill and offense." These selections could turn out to be
some of the best of the entire draft.
#11 Oliver Wahlstrom, RW, 6’1, 208#
Wahlstrom is a “big, strong
power forward” who idolizes and has been compared to Alex Ovechkin and Patrick Laine.
A lot of fans can’t wait to see him with Kieffer Bellows in the Blue &
White Scrimmage, and beyond. Wahlstrom, a product of the US National
Development Program (40 goals in 54 games) led all US born players with 7 goals
at the U18WJC. While he is set to return to Boston College next season,
Wahlstrom wants to get noticed by his NHL team. He lists some of his best on-ice
attributes as skill, creativity and a hard, heavy shot. He also said he has to
fine tune his skill set, but he’s more than confident when called upon to step
right in when he gets the chance. Many thought Wahlstrom was a top 5 offensive
talent in this year’s draft. He is a dual-citizen of the United States and
Sweden.
#12 Noah
Dobson, D, 6’3, 177#
Noah Dobson is a highly
skilled, puck-moving, offensive defensemen who is projected to be a top 4 D-Man
who could lead an NHL PP one day. With his speed, Dobson is well
suited for the modern NHL game for a blue liner. He said he models his game after the Blues, Alex Pietrangelo. Per Dobson, "The goal this summer is
to be able to get my body to a level and add some strength where I can go into
an NHL camp with the Islanders in September and compete against men and not be
out of place and make a decision tough on management to send me back to
junior," Dobson (2 & 5 for 7 pts) captured a QMJHL title with the
Acadie-Bathurst Titan and a Memorial Cup. "I bring a two-way,
puck-moving game. I think I’m a very reliable defenseman, able to play against
other team’s top players, but at the same time get up in the rush and create
offense and produce offensively." Dobson was proud to be selected
by New York, “Just to be at the NHL Draft and a chance to be selected is pretty
surreal itself," Dobson said "I was happy to join any NHL
organization here today, so to join the Islanders I'm very excited and happy to
join this team."
On Day two, the Islanders had the
opportunity to use the #41, #43, #72, #103, #134 and 196th
pick to add to their prospect pool. Here’s a breakdown on their selections.
Round 2
#41 Bode
Wilde, D, 6’4, 198#
Bode Wilde was ranked 18th in the draft. He is a Canadian
born player with US citizenship, playing with the U.S. national U18 squad.
Wilde has been called a two-way D with size & strength, good offensive instincts
& has a low hard, heavy shot. His tenaciousness and competitive nature
keeps him in pursuit of the puck. He has good awareness and positioning in all
three zones and limits the space available for the opposition, regularly forcing
them to the outside. On the rush, Wilde can start the transition or carry the
puck and use his skating to open up space in the offensive zone and has a
strong, accurate shot. He is known for a good hockey IQ and can makes good
decisions on the ice. His skill level had him in the first round, but much like
a Josh Ho-Sang, he is said to have some issues with coachability and
discipline. He was slated to play at Michigan, but wants to play in OHL next
season.
#43 Ruslan
Iskhakov, LW, 5’8, 152#
A smaller, highly skilled winger, Iskhakov showed what he
could do on the Russian National U18 team. While not as highly ranked as some
of the other quality players on the squad due to his size, his hands and playmaking
ability is said to be better than most. He is a strong, quick skater who creates
space, uses his agility to turn and slip away from defenders and the awareness
and mobility not to be positionally compromised by larger opposition players.
Iskhakov is a hard-working player who uses the forecheck well despite his size
and steals the puck, creating turnovers in all three zones. A very under-rated
player by many insiders.
Round 3
#72 Jakub
Skarek, G, 6’3, 196#
Skarek is a highly competitive, athletic goaltender who
has been a pro since the age of 16. While faltering in other WJCs, he was instrumental
in helping the Czech’s win gold at the 2016 Hlinka Tournament. He has size, positioning,
quickness and a refined ability to track the puck. A strong butterfly goalie who
moves the puck well, has a quick glove and isn’t afraid to challenge shooters. Per
Craig Balloch, InGoal Magazine, “To the naked eye, Skarek’s skating ability may
look suspect – but he makes up for it with excellent edgework while in the
butterfly. This works for his style, because he likes to seal the ice first,
and move from the butterfly position. His wonderful frame allows him to pre-set
in the reverse-VH position in sharp-angle situations, and his post-integration
is extremely advanced for his age. His talent ceiling is one of the highest in
the draft class, regardless of the type of year he has.”
Round 4
#103 Jacob Pivonka, C, 6’0, 201#
Pivonka is a quick two-way center with NHL bloodlines
(father, Michal Pivonka, WSH) who plays a fast-paced game and can score off the
rush with a quick, accurate shot. Known for his hard work ethic and positive
attitude, Pivonka is also known as a strong face-off specialist. It isn’t known
is Pivonka will go to OHL or stay with Notre Dame.
Round 4
#134 Blade Jenkins, C, 6’2, 194#
Blade
Jenkins is a U.S. born player who transitioned from the USHL to the OHL. He can
score, plays with intensity and an aggressive edge. Jenkins can move the puck
and is known to have the smarts to pick up new systems quickly.
Round 7
#196 Christian Krygier, D, 6’2, 192#
Christian Krygier
calls himself a hard-nosed, shut down defensemen who’s hard to play against. He’s
played for the U.S. National Team and set to play for Michigan State
University.
Several selections the Islanders capitalized
on today were higher projected players than many had anticipated being around
when their numbers were called. Even in the later picks, the prospects chosen,
seem to have a lot of upside once properly seasoned.
All-in-all, a great draft for New York.
On John Tavares:
Now we wait to hear about the choice
made by captain, John Tavares. Per Larry Brooks, “I am told (though not by
agent or NYI) that Tavares will meet with five teams during interview period
that opens tomorrow. Rangers are not among them.” Pat Brisson, JT’s
agent confirmed this to Pierre LeBrun. So, he will entertain proposals with a
short list of teams’ that will vie for his services prior to entering the July
1st opening to free agency. The five-day negotiating window starts
Monday.
Per Arthur Staple, the teams are Toronto
Maple Leafs, San Jose Sharks, Dallas Stars, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Los
Angeles Kings.
Aside from the Islanders, IMO, Toronto and the TBL are the
only young teams that gives JT a place to win. We were told negotiations are
going well, so we wait. Ownership has opened the future to the team starting
with Lamoriello, Trotz, Arena, Practice Facility, New House on Island, etc. It’s
not the same old Isles culture Tavares has dealt with before, but it’s his
choice. He’s also getting married this summer. If he does just walk away and
for nothing, it’s a real shame.
“Even with Tavares taking these meetings,
just about everyone around the league feels he's going back to Isles.”
-Staple
Isles Notes:
Per David
Pagnotta, “Told the Islanders have officially tabled Tavares a contract offer. It’s
an eight-year deal worth $88M. Also the first formal offer made to Tavares camp
from Isles.”
Per Andy Graziano,
“From what I'm hearing from those exiting Dallas, #isles goaltending
targets seem to be centering on Craig Anderson and Jimmy Howard. Thought is Cam
Talbot little too pricey for what seems a stopgap in a weaker market. #nhl.”
Isles have $32.8M
in cap space after new $79.5M limit.
F (RFA) Nelson,
Johnston, Quine, Prince (UFA) Tavares, Wagner D (RFA) Pulock, Davidson (UFA) de
Haan, Hickey, Seidenberg G (UFA) Halak.
Islanders
release 2018-19 schedule. Will play 11 of their final 15 home games at the
Coliseum. That’s 8 additional
games.
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