F Kenta Isogai - Wenatchee Wild, WHL (2022 undrafted)

[Artorius Horus T]

Islanders draft pick, calling it.

They take chances and go off the board in rounds 6 and 7.

It would be strange for me, if he would end up 6th or 7th rounder.

19 year old very skilled, very fast, 6 feet tall forward, yes he is Japanese but
i think he goes late 3rd to early 5th

 

[Albatros]

It would be strange for me, if he would end up 6th or 7th rounder.

19 year old very skilled, very fast, 6 feet tall forward, yes he is Japanese but
i think he goes late 3rd to early 5th

A double-overage undersized winger with his level of production isn't going to even get a sniff in that range regardless of where he's from.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Another 1+2 game, goal streak extended to 5 games.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

A double-overage undersized winger with his level of production isn't going to even get a sniff in that range regardless of where he's from.

Actually not true. Islanders drafted a player from China a few years ago who was playing prep hockey. And Coyotes drafted a player from England just to say they drafted a player from England.

Not unheard of. From the posts on here Isogai sounds like a far more legitimate prospect at this point. And I'd imagine would draw fan interest in some of the Pacific coast markets.

 

[Albatros]

Actually not true. Islanders drafted a player from China a few years ago who was playing prep hockey. And Coyotes drafted a player from England just to say they drafted a player from England.

Not unheard of. From the posts on here Isogai sounds like a far more legitimate prospect at this point. And I'd imagine would draw fan interest in some of the Pacific coast markets.

Andong Song was drafted in the sixth round in his first year of eligibility. Liam Kirk was drafted in the seventh round in his first year of eligibility, besides he was a legit prospect.

 

[SoundAndFury]

And Coyotes drafted a player from England just to say they drafted a player from England.

Like Albatros said, Kirk was a legit prospect and developed into a B-grade European pro which is a great career for the 7th rounder. And that's while dealing with pretty major injury issues at times. If anything, him being drafted in the 7th just reinforces the statement Isogai has little chance to be drafted until very late in the draft.

 

[wetcoast]

A double-overage undersized winger with his level of production isn't going to even get a sniff in that range regardless of where he's from.

Came here to say this.

At this point he might get a training camp look somewhere but no one is drafting him.

He is also a very slight player so the jump to the next level will be very hard for him.

That being said I hope he gets a shot and makes the most of it.

 

[SoundAndFury]

At this point he might get a training camp look somewhere but no one is drafting him.

Many teams think 7th-rounders are basically useless - Islanders drafted the Chinese player for publicity, Devils drafted Brodeur's son for no real reason, So it isn't impossible. It is almost impossible anybody throws a pick of any real value for him though.

 

[wetcoast]

Many teams think 7th-rounders are basically useless - Islanders drafted the Chinese player for publicity, Devils drafted Brodeur's son for no real reason, So it isn't impossible. It is almost impossible anybody throws a pick of any real value for him though.

Sure nothing is impossible but teams still are more likely to draft a player 2 years younger and hope.

 

[Bubbles]

3A in his WHL playoffs debut.

1G and 3A actually.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

one of his 3 primary apples

 

[Hockeyville USA]

UFA eligible now. He was on people's radar back in the USHL, fell off a cliff, and then re-emerged this year with a big year in the Dub. I know Will Scouch has always been a huge Isogai supporter, even when he wasn't produced, since he was still doing little things pretty well while with the Youngstown Phantoms.

 

[Smirnov2Chistov]

UFA eligible now. He was on people's radar back in the USHL, fell off a cliff, and then re-emerged this year with a big year in the Dub. I know Will Scouch has always been a huge Isogai supporter, even when he wasn't produced, since he was still doing little things pretty well while with the Youngstown Phantoms.

Probably because he is ‘skilled’ and undersized.

He would rather take a flyer on this type of player versus someone who is more well known. That’s why I hardly pay attention to scouch

 

[BKarchitect]

I imagine he will get some looks for an ELC if he has a huge OA year in the WHL. Wenatchee got rid of Bukarts and only drafted one import slot so it appears Isogai will almost assuredly be filling an OA + import slot for the Wild.

Whether he remains there all year is probably questionable as that roster looks like it is in for a huge rebuild with no drafted NHL prospects and not a lot of returning talent.

 

[wetcoast]

I imagine he will get some looks for an ELC if he has a huge OA year in the WHL. Wenatchee got rid of Bukarts and only drafted one import slot so it appears Isogai will almost assuredly be filling an OA + import slot for the Wild.

Whether he remains there all year is probably questionable as that roster looks like it is in for a huge rebuild with no drafted NHL prospects and not a lot of returning talent.

The bottom line though is that he is really slight and there are other OG guys who in general might translate better to the NHL if they make it and the chances for this kid are extremely small.

Honestly I think that he would have problems in the AHL nevermind the NHL.

 

[MS]

Did Isogai receive a development camp invite anywhere? Surprising if not.

 

[Gordon Graham]

Did Isogai receive a development camp invite anywhere? Surprising if not.

Yes, with the Florida Panthers

 

[Bubbles]

Traded to Victoria.

 

[Bubbles]

2G, 1A tonight. I think he'll do well in minor pro, not necessarily the NHL. Still a good sign for Japanese hockey.

 

[Penncakes]

Does anyone know where this guy is playing next year? Is college in his future or more likely pro?

 

[pgfan66]

Does anyone know where this guy is playing next year? Is college in his future or more likely pro?

I believe he originally went to Youngstown with a plan to go to school after his junior career, but he moved to the dub before the rule change, so it seems like he’d given up on that. Still possible he could end up going to school anyway with the new possibilities, of course.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

I believe he originally went to Youngstown with a plan to go to school after his junior career, but he moved to the dub before the rule change, so it seems like he’d given up on that. Still possible he could end up going to school anyway with the new possibilities, of course.

Interested to see if he tries to sign a pro contract in North America or in Europe & grind it out (with a realistic possibility he doesn't make much money on the annual) or if he goes to the NCAA & increase his stock before turning pro.

 

[Penncakes]

Thank you for this information. Very curious to see how this plays out, especially considering his brother Sota has played the last 3 years in the Asia League.

 

[SoundAndFury]

I think Europe is kinda unlikely, I doubt someone of Isogai's stature would want to move to the kind of leagues in Europe that would sign guys out of junior. Usually, ECHL clubs are a better stepping stone for that kind of player. So I think that's the most likely destination for him at this point, or even an AHL contract with an ECHL option.