Prospect Info: 2023-24 Prospect Thread

[xECK29x]

This season I'll just update the first post each Monday instead of a copy/paste of a table each time.

+ = on IR or just hurt
# = season complete

PLAYER	POS	ACQUIRED	HFB RANK	TEAM	GP	G	A	PTS	PIM	+/-
William Dufour	RW	2020 round 5 #152	1	Bridgeport Islanders	52	15	10	25	29	-12
Samuel Bolduc	D	2019 round 2 #57	2	New York Islanders	33	1	2	3	6	-5
				Bridgeport Islanders	5	1	0	1	2	2
Matthew Maggio	RW	2022 round 5 #142	3	Bridgeport Islanders	58	16	9	25	20	-2
Simon Holmstrom	RW/LW	2019 round 1 #23	4	New York Islanders	72	14	9	23	14	-1
Danny Nelson #	C	2023 round 2 #49	5	Univ. of Notre Dame	30	9	14	23	32	5
				USA U20	7	1	1	2	0	4
Ruslan Iskhakov	C/LW	2018 round 2 #43	6	Bridgeport Islanders	67	17	31	48	30	-16
Tyce Thompson	RW	Trade		Utica Comets	15	0	5	5	12	4
				Bridgeport Islanders	47	3	10	13	54	-19
Calle Odelius	D	2022 round 2 #65	8	Djugardens IF	10	0	4	4	2	0
				Djugardens IF (Playoffs)	2	0	1	1	2	0
				Sweden U20	8	0	1	1	8	-
Robin Salo	D	2017 round 2 #46	9	Bridgeport Islanders	64	5	18	23	22	-12
Isaiah George	D	2022 round 4 #98	10	London Knights	68	6	24	30	54	26
				London (Playoffs)	4	1	2	3	0	5
Alex Jefferies	LW	2020 round 4 #121	11	Merrimack College	22	13	10	23	19	1
				Bridgeport Islanders	8	3	1	4	0	-1
Eetu Liukas	LW	2021 round 5 #157	12	Bridgeport Islanders	45	3	4	7	34	-13
Quinn Finley #	LW	2022 round 3 #78	13	Univ. of Wisconsin	35	9	6	15	16	4
				USA U20	7	1	1	2	0	2
Jesse Nurmi #	LW	2023 round 4 #113	14	KooKoo	19	0	2	2	2	-7
				KooKoo U20	6	4	4	8	0	-2
				Finland U20	6	0	2	2	0	-
Aleksi Malinen #	D	2021 round 6 #189	15T	JYP	15	0	2	2	0	-3
Zach Schulz #	D	2023 round 6 #177	HM1	Univ. of Wisconsin	33	2	4	6	6	4
Cameron Berg #	C	2021 round 4 #125	HM2	Univ. of North Dakota	40	20	17	37	8	7
Daylan Kuefler	LW	2022 round 6 #174	HM3	Worcester Railers	17	5	3	8	9	-4
				Bridgeport Islanders	19	3	3	6	37	-1
Aidan Fulp	D	UFA		Bridgeport Islanders	47	1	4	5	14	-19
Justin Gill	C	2023 round 5 #145		Baie-Comeau Drakkar	65	40	58	98	66	57
				Baie-Comeau (Playoffs)	4	3	4	7	2	4
Dennis Good Bogg #	D	2023 round 7 #209		AIK J20	18	1	4	5	45	-5
				AIK	10	0	1	1	0	1
				Vallentuna Hockey	7	0	1	1	10	-1
				Brodernas/Vasby	4	0	0	0	2	-2
				Östersunds IK	8	0	1	1	6	-4
				Östersunds IK (Playoffs)	1	0	0	0	0	0
Alexander Ljungkrantz #	LW/RW	2020 round 3 #90		Almtuna IS	44	20	12	32	8	-7
				Farjestad BK	8	0	0	0	0	-1
Travis Mitchell	D	UFA		Bridgeport Islanders	34	1	3	4	36	-6
Reece Newkirk	C	2019 round 5 #147		Bridgeport Islanders	15	1	2	3	2	1
				Worcester Railers	10	5	4	9	2	4
Matias Rajaniemi	D	2020 round 6 #183		SaiPa	53	0	8	8	18	-24
				Bridgeport Islanders	0	0	0	0	0	0
GOALIES					GP	GAA	SV%	SO	W-L-T
Tristan Lennox	G	2021 round 3 #93	15T	Worcester Railers	13	2.94	.909	0	5-6-1
Jakub Skarek	G	2018 round 3 #72		Bridgeport Islanders	34	3.15	.890	0	7-21-5
Henrik Tikkanen	G	2020 round 7 #214	Currently UFA	Bridgeport Islanders	16	2.17	.927	0	7-5-2
				Worcester Railers	18	3.25	.890	0	10-6-1

Click to read more...

 

[Osakahaus]

Jefferies and George are way too low for my liking.

IMO I think that those two are higher up than Dufour and Berg

 

[MJF]

Isles have missed the playoff for three straight seasons, according to McKeens. Time to put some effort into proofreading, maybe?

I read that and thought I was seeing things.

I know the Islanders aren't a sexy team to follow but does anyone at McKeens proofread???

 

[Top Corner]

Jefferies and George are way too low for my liking.

The George assessment is bang on, dont see a lot of offensive flair in the games I’ve seen him play. Maybe a better skating Romanov if we are lucky

 

[Osakahaus]

The George assessment is bang on, dont see a lot of offensive flair in the games I’ve seen him play. Maybe a better skating Romanov if we are lucky

he's really just a defender, which is fine

 

[JTToilinginToronto]

Jefferies and George are way too low for my liking.

George just doesn't have the offensive instincts to be a really highly rated prospect.

His floor is AHL fodder. His ceiling is probably a very good third pairing and PK guy. Think Mayfield but one who can skate well.

 

[doublechili]

Maybe a better skating Romanov if we are lucky

I know George is considered to be a good skater, but if he's better than Romanov he would have to be really good.

 

[SI90]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1797261062770745556

 

[SI90]

Our boy ready to rock!

https://x.com/i/web/status/1797413116055077302

 

[Skip To My Lou]

George just doesn't have the offensive instincts to be a really highly rated prospect.

His floor is AHL fodder. His ceiling is probably a very good third pairing and PK guy. Think Mayfield but one who can skate well.

I may be biased, as I loved George in his draft year, but I think the sky is the limit for him.

His offense never blew up the way it was supposed to in his junior career, but there are flashes of brilliance there. Defensively, he's already NHL-caliber, but will need to spend time in Bridgeport to get adjusted to not only the pro game, but to find his offensive touch.

 

[JTToilinginToronto]

I may be biased, as I loved George in his draft year, but I think the sky is the limit for him.

His offense never blew up the way it was supposed to in his junior career, but there are flashes of brilliance there. Defensively, he's already NHL-caliber, but will need to spend time in Bridgeport to get adjusted to not only the pro game, but to find his offensive touch.

I mean, I hope you're right. But there isn't really much to say he has a high offensive potential. He's an overager in juniors and still couldn't put up 1/2 PPG this season. It's only going to get tougher in the AHL and hopefully for him (and us) the NHL.

Sure, anything could happen, but realistically, he's probably not going to be an offensive force from the blue line.

If he can turn into a Scott Mayfield type with good skating ability, I think most reasonable Islanders fans would take that as a W considering he was a 4th round pick.

 

[doublechili]

I may be biased, as I loved George in his draft year, but I think the sky is the limit for him.

His offense never blew up the way it was supposed to in his junior career, but there are flashes of brilliance there. Defensively, he's already NHL-caliber, but will need to spend time in Bridgeport to get adjusted to not only the pro game, but to find his offensive touch.

I mean, I hope you're right. But there isn't really much to say he has a high offensive potential. He's an overager in juniors and still couldn't put up 1/2 PPG this season. It's only going to get tougher in the AHL and hopefully for him (and us) the NHL.

Sure, anything could happen, but realistically, he's probably not going to be an offensive force from the blue line.

If he can turn into a Scott Mayfield type with good skating ability, I think most reasonable Islanders fans would take that as a W considering he was a 4th round pick.

High end skating and agility to be able to stick with shifty forwards and beat them to pucks entering the zone is very important. He doesn't need to be Makar. Look at FLA's D getting to pucks and just flipping it out to center ice. Moving forward, if you pair one PMD with a more defensive guy who can really skate and win races to pucks? That's the formula.

 

[JTToilinginToronto]

High end skating and agility to be able to stick with shifty forwards and beat them to pucks entering the zone is very important.

Sure, but he had that ability this season and couldn't produce too much in juniors despite being one of the oldest on the ice.

So why am I to expect a jump in offensive production against bigger, faster and more experienced competition?

 

[SI90]

Jon sims son Landon gets 5?-‘d a game in the first period. Elbow to the face of top 2024 draft prospect Parekah.

 

[doublechili]

Sure, but he had that ability this season and couldn't produce too much in juniors despite being one of the oldest on the ice.

So why am I to expect a jump in offensive production against bigger, faster and more experienced competition?

But I'm saying you don't need that jump in production if the expectation is that George will be a defensive guy that you pair with a PMD. But with his skating ability he's a new-NHL defensive defenseman, ie., with agility to stick with shifty forwards and speed to win races back to pucks.

 

[Skip To My Lou]

Sure, but he had that ability this season and couldn't produce too much in juniors despite being one of the oldest on the ice.

So why am I to expect a jump in offensive production against bigger, faster and more experienced competition?

I don't blame you for feeling the way you're feeling. His stat sheet is not sexy, and with no way to actually watch the games, that's the only conclusion to come to. I'd do the same thing.

I just think there's a lot more under the surface. He has a sneaky good skill set on the offensive end, he just doesn't use it. He's typically looking for the smart play, rather than being aggressive. It's hard for him to do so when you have guys like Sam Dickinson and Oliver Bonk ahead of you on the blueline.

What you'll usually get from him on the offensive end, is simple, but smart breakout passes (his first pass is exceptional), and he has really good instincts with the puck. Which is why I see something more from him. It's just a matter of him using those skills.

Obviously, it's just one play, but this is an example of George creating for himself, and using his elite skating to navigate through the o-zone.

You don't see defensive defensemen with that kind of confidence carrying the puck. If you can do that, I'll make a lot of time for you. The fact that he's already so solid on the defensive end, and uses the body the right way, I've been sold the second we drafted him.

 

[Top Corner]

I don't blame you for feeling the way you're feeling. His stat sheet is not sexy, and with no way to actually watch the games, that's the only conclusion to come to. I'd do the same thing.

I just think there's a lot more under the surface. He has a sneaky good skill set on the offensive end, he just doesn't use it. He's typically looking for the smart play, rather than being aggressive. It's hard for him to do so when you have guys like Sam Dickinson and Oliver Bonk ahead of you on the blueline.

What you'll usually get from him on the offensive end, is simple, but smart breakout passes (his first pass is exceptional), and he has really good instincts with the puck. Which is why I see something more from him. It's just a matter of him using those skills.

Obviously, it's just one play, but this is an example of George creating for himself, and using his elite skating to navigate through the o-zone.

You don't see defensive defensemen with that kind of confidence carrying the puck. If you can do that, I'll make a lot of time for you. The fact that he's already so solid on the defensive end, and uses the body the right way, I've been sold the second we drafted him.

Was this from a previous season or recent season? The tools are there but the toolbox isn’t in my opinion. The question is does he have the confidence to make these plays when the opportunity presents itself? Not sure he does

 

[saintunspecified]

Was this from a previous season or recent season? The tools are there but the toolbox isn’t in my opinion. The question is does he have the confidence to make these plays when the opportunity presents itself? Not sure he does

I don't think that's very fair. I don't think he really looks like a point producer, but he seems to anticipate the play, and be in the right place defensively - so not an overall hockey sense/judgment issue.

About the McKeens list... Hard to take it seriously. Why is Dufour at the top? Why is Maggio and Gill ahead of Jefferies and Finley? Why does George get the writeup he does, and yet be 10th?

McKeens is overrating jr level production, and underrating athleticism. Dufour, despite the size, appears fringe. Nelson otoh plays a game that matches his physical strengths as do Jefferies, Finley, and George. My personal list would be very different. I'm leaving Odelius off because I have no info. Same on Gill, and Berg. I would strongly suspect Odelius would slot in around 3-4.

1. Nelson (size, hockey sense, physicality, he's quick enough, good judgment)
2. Maggio (has hockey sense, and hands, and can do more than Dufour)
3. Finley - he's a really good athlete, and seems a bit of a late bloomer physically. The athleticism makes it far more likely he'll become an NHL player than other forwards in NYI system.
4. George - I think his floor is pretty high. Could be a de Haan type. I see a likely bottom pair defender with far better positional play than e.g. Bolduc, which is good to have on a cheap contract.
5. Jefferies - I don't think he's quite the athlete Finley is, but he's also got some acceleration.
6. Lennox - Played for bad teams with gambling offensive Ds. But appears to move very well at that size.

I don't see an NHL player in Iskhakov. He reminds me of Rakshani, but not quite as good. (Rakshani had a really good SHL career, which wasn't surprising. He's a great hockey player, but not a NHL hockey player. Iskkhakov isn't quite that.) I don't see it with Dufour.

 

[Top Corner]

I don't think that's very fair. I don't think he really looks like a point producer, but he seems to anticipate the play, and be in the right place defensively - so not an overall hockey sense/judgment issue.

About the McKeens list... Hard to take it seriously. Why is Dufour at the top? Why is Maggio and Gill ahead of Jefferies and Finley? Why does George get the writeup he does, and yet be 10th?

McKeens is overrating jr level production, and underrating athleticism. Dufour, despite the size, appears fringe. Nelson otoh plays a game that matches his physical strengths as do Jefferies, Finley, and George. My personal list would be very different. I'm leaving Odelius off because I have no info. Same on Gill, and Berg. I would strongly suspect Odelius would slot in around 3-4.

1. Nelson (size, hockey sense, physicality, he's quick enough, good judgment)
2. Maggio (has hockey sense, and hands, and can do more than Dufour)
3. Finley - he's a really good athlete, and seems a bit of a late bloomer physically. The athleticism makes it far more likely he'll become an NHL player than other forwards in NYI system.
4. George - I think his floor is pretty high. Could be a de Haan type. I see a likely bottom pair defender with far better positional play than e.g. Bolduc, which is good to have on a cheap contract.
5. Jefferies - I don't think he's quite the athlete Finley is, but he's also got some acceleration.
6. Lennox - Played for bad teams with gambling offensive Ds. But appears to move very well at that size.

I don't see an NHL player in Iskhakov. He reminds me of Rakshani, but not quite as good. (Rakshani had a really good SHL career, which wasn't surprising. He's a great hockey player, but not a NHL hockey player. Iskkhakov isn't quite that.) I don't see it with Dufour.

I felt the same way about Dufour, just did not see the footspeed and agility needed.
George from seeing him last year and this year, not seeing the advancement I thought would come with being older & a little stronger. I do like his skating when he's moving with & without the puck. Maybe getting out of Junior will help advance his game .

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

Robin Salo appears to have signed with Malmö:

 

[FoxYou727]

Robin Salo appears to have signed with Malmö:

View attachment 880052

I had so much hope for him, but I remember that post game interview vs the rangers were he said "I didn't expect that much speed" and I knew that was the end of him

 

[MJF]

Robin Salo appears to have signed with Malmö:

View attachment 880052

Bye Robin. We hardly knew ye.

Robin Salo appears to have signed with Malmö:

View attachment 880052

Bye Robin. We hardly knew

 

[Kevin27NYI]

I had so much hope for him, but I remember that post game interview vs the rangers were he said "I didn't expect that much speed" and I knew that was the end of him

Was that at MSG? Around Christmas?

His parents were there, I met them in the concourse. Nice folks !

 

[Osakahaus]

Was that at MSG? Around Christmas?

His parents were there, I met them in the concourse. Nice folks !

Yeah when Gauthier turned him inside out

 

[Kevin27NYI]

Yeah when Gauthier turned him inside out

Yep, he was bad. Don’t regret moving on from him

 

[crashthenet]

Yep, he was bad. Don’t regret moving on from him

I may not be remembering right but I think they pressboxed him for 2 months and rolled him out against the Rangers and Pens.