Prospect Info: Isles Prospect Talk 2019-20 | Part II

[SI]

Bellows with 2 more goals tonight.

And two more tonight 21 and 22 on the season.

 

[BelovedIsles]

I was looking for 25 from Bellows this year, looks like he’ll get there.

Think he deserves another trial.

 

[CREW99AW]

I was looking for 25 from Bellows this year, looks like he’ll get there.

Think he deserves another trial.

Very impressive considering his slow start.

 

[PK Cronin]

I was looking for 25 from Bellows this year, looks like he’ll get there.

Think he deserves another trial.

Don't think he'll get there. The AHL will suspend their season like the NHL.

 

[xECK29x]

Don't think he'll get there. The AHL will suspend their season like the NHL.

Yup it will cascade all the way down, ECHL, SPHL as well I bet.

USA Hockey announced cancellations for all their tournaments yesterday, I'd imagine the junior leagues will soon as well.

 

[GrandmaSlices51631]

I was looking for 25 from Bellows this year, looks like he’ll get there.

Think he deserves another trial.

25 is what I wanted to see from Bellows as well. Definitely impressive given his dreadful start. Not unfair to say if he didn't start off slow he'd have a shot at 35 goals.

Bellows is in prime position to compete for a roster spot. He's gotta work his tail off this summer and supplant MDC. We need a guy or two on ELC's to start contributing as we've overcommitted to older players.

 

[leeroggy]

I was looking for 25 from Bellows this year, looks like he’ll get there.

Think he deserves another trial.

Yes, but when he fails to cover the right person the first time in the D-Zone he'll be back on the Metro-North . . .

 

[xECK29x]

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

I've been wondering what, if any, kind of a future Aho, Wotherspoon, Vande Sompel, and even Koivula have here?

The first three are RFAs this summer, although the situation with Vande Sompel might be muddy due to the injury he had. I dunno if I see this team keeping all three - or even two of the three.

As for Koivula, will he be moved back to the LW side? I can see why the team may make that move in light of Barzal, Nelson, Pageau, and Cizikas up the middle.

But if he is, where does he fit in exactly when taking Lee, Beauvillier, and likely Bellows into account?

It's interesting, because we don't exactly have a very strong prospect system right now and both Aho and Koivula are already "bubble" players, but I'm not really seeing a future for either here. And I just don't know if Wotherspoon is seen as a future NHLer whatsoever. I hear, for example, that his propensity for turnovers is still quite high.

Could these guys be trade bait?

 

[leeroggy]

Neither Wotherspoon nor Vande Sompel will be kept in my opinion. They've had a chance to prove themselves in the AHL but nothing stands out. Hutton has likely passed both of them. Aho and Koivula are going nowhere and will be re-signed I still expect Cizikas to be dealt and Koivula to take over there at a cheaper price. Schmaltz should be ahead of those two also. And Wilde needs a full-time spot in Bridgeport to develop.

Can anyone provide a scouting report on how Bolduc's season went?

 

[MJF]

I've been wondering what, if any, kind of a future Aho, Wotherspoon, Vande Sompel, and even Koivula have here?

The first three are RFAs this summer, although the situation with Vande Sompel might be muddy due to the injury he had. I dunno if I see this team keeping all three - or even two of the three.

As for Koivula, will he be moved back to the LW side? I can see why the team may make that move in light of Barzal, Nelson, Pageau, and Cizikas up the middle.

But if he is, where does he fit in exactly when taking Lee, Beauvillier, and likely Bellows into account?

It's interesting, because we don't exactly have a very strong prospect system right now and both Aho and Koivula are already "bubble" players, but I'm not really seeing a future for either here. And I just don't know if Wotherspoon is seen as a future NHLer whatsoever. I hear, for example, that his propensity for turnovers is still quite high.

Could these guys be trade bait?

Aho strikes me as too small to be an NHL defenseman. Wotherspoon I've seen play in person numerous times over the last 2 seasons and he doesn't strike me as being ready for the NHL. I don't get what the people here who keep pumping him up as an NHL prospect are seeing. He handles the puck like it's a live grenade and he's a turnover machine.

I think Mitch Vande Sompel had the best upside of all of those guys. He had a really nice wrist shot, skates well and was solid enough last season to be partnered with Grant Hutton when he arrived last March. Unfortunately injuries have cost him the equivalent of a season and a half. Not sure how far back this sets his development.

I doubt anyone with the exception of Aho has any trade value.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

Aho strikes me as too small to be an NHL defenseman.

Him and guys like him will continue to maintain hope as long as Victor Mete is given ice time in the NHL.

Wotherspoon I've seen play in person numerous times over the last 2 seasons and he doesn't strike me as being ready for the NHL. I don't get what the people here who keep pumping him up as an NHL prospect are seeing. He handles the puck like it's a live grenade and he's a turnover machine.

So, he's the type of guy the Isles might just walk away from this summer?

I think Mitch Vande Sompel had the best upside of all of those guys. He had a really nice wrist shot, skates well and was solid enough last season to be partnered with Grant Hutton when he arrived last March. Unfortunately injuries have cost him the equivalent of a season and a half. Not sure how far back this sets his development.

I'm thinking the team will want to keep him around and see if there's something here if and when he's healthy.

I doubt anyone with the exception of Aho has any trade value.

Including Koivula?

 

[MJF]

Him and guys like him will continue to maintain hope as long as Victor Mete is given ice time in the NHL.



So, he's the type of guy the Isles might just walk away from this summer?



I'm thinking the team will want to keep him around and see if there's something here if and when he's healthy.



Including Koivula?

I forgot to mention Koivula. I’d like to keep him around. Remember this is only his 2nd year as a center. Koivula is big and skates well enough-doesn’t have a burst of speed but is smooth and protects the puck. Was a decent faceoff man and was a good puck distributor at Bridgeport. Down there his linemates were Wahlstrom and Bellows last season and that line helped propel them to the playoffs. I’d like to see what Koivula can do here when his linemates aren’t Matt Martin and Ross Johnston.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

Neither Wotherspoon nor Vande Sompel will be kept in my opinion. They've had a chance to prove themselves in the AHL but nothing stands out.

Then again, Dmen often take a good bit of time to develop. Are they at the end of their development, particularly Vande Sompel after all of his injury woes?

Hutton has likely passed both of them.

Agreed. And he's the oldest in the group.

Aho and Koivula are going nowhere and will be re-signed .

Well, Koivula has another year on his contract. And there's no arguing that he's a commodity/asset.

But I'm not sure Aho would be willing to resign. I mean seriously, the kid has been playing pro hockey since he was 16. He had 4 full seasons of SHL play before coming over and has now had 3 more seasons of AHL play. I think he and his agent have plenty of reasons to think there's no future for him in this organization.

Sure, he's an RFA, so as far as his North American prospects are concerned, he's stuck with this organization. He could ask for a trade, if that's the path his camp would choose to take. But there's NOTHING stopping him from going back to the SHL, much less to the KHL, where he'd likely get better money anyways.

My point with respect to all these guys, particularly Aho and Koivula (because they're the closest to the show), is that they may just not have a future here. Just looks like there's no real opening for them over the long run.

I still expect Cizikas to be dealt and Koivula to take over there at a cheaper price.

Oh, that's, uh, radical.

Casey is really one of those guys I cannot see this team wanting to part with. And I can't see Lamoriello ever wanting to let him go unless/until he becomes a free agent and perhaps outprices himself.

Schmaltz should be ahead of those two also. And Wilde needs a full-time spot in Bridgeport to develop.

It will be interesting to see what was up with acquiring Schmaltz. He's a Group 6 UFA this summer. We've seen very little of him thus far.

As for Wilde, he'll be in Bridgeport next season and he'll be getting a regular shift. It will be very interesting to see how he adjusts. I don't think he's all that far behind Dobson in the grand scheme of things, but between the ankle and now the corona virus, this is practically a lost season.

Can anyone provide a scouting report on how Bolduc's season went?

After a modest start with his lousy team, he was traded and really started excelling. But then he slowed down a bit and hasn't seen the same sort of offensive responsibilities. His offensive stats have been considerably better with his new club, but his +/- is slightly lower. Still, he had a +7 with his first team and a +6 with his second team. That +13 is considerably better than the -32 he had last season.

All in all, can't complain about the 11-32-43 and +13 he's had in 61 games this year.

One more season of juniors and then he's ready to go pro. Definitely one of the better defensive prospects we have.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

I forgot to mention Koivula. I’d like to keep him around. Remember this is only his 2nd year as a center. Koivula is big and skates well enough-doesn’t have a burst of speed but is smooth and protects the puck. Was a decent faceoff man and was a good puck distributor at Bridgeport. Down there his linemates were Wahlstrom and Bellows last season and that line helped propel them to the playoffs. I’d like to see what Koivula can do here when his linemates aren’t Matt Martin and Ross Johnston.

Yes, but where does he fit in on the Isles in the future?

On the left wing?

The size and development have been great, but should we not be assuming that Barzal, Nelson, Pageua, and Cizikas are the centers moving forward?

 

[MJF]

Yes, but where does he fit in on the Isles in the future?

On the left wing?

The size and development have been great, but should we not be assuming that Barzal, Nelson, Pageua, and Cizikas are the centers moving forward?

Koivula can go back to wing in the NHL. He can also go back to Bridgeport for another season as a center. This is probably what would happen to Koivula next year. Cizkias' contract has 1 more year to run before his walk year and his injuries have show us that an organization can't have too much center depth. Otto is still young, turns 22 in September, and he's given me enough reasons to want to see more out of him, so he's not a player I'm looking to include in a trade at this time.

 

[BelovedIsles]

How has Sorokin been doing?

Are there any streams of the KHL playoffs, need my hockey fix.

Edit: Nevermind.

 

[SI]

Then again, Dmen often take a good bit of time to develop. Are they at the end of their development, particularly Vande Sompel after all of his injury woes?
Agreed. And he's the oldest in the group.

Well, Koivula has another year on his contract. And there's no arguing that he's a commodity/asset.

But I'm not sure Aho would be willing to resign. I mean seriously, the kid has been playing pro hockey since he was 16. He had 4 full seasons of SHL play before coming over and has now had 3 more seasons of AHL play. I think he and his agent have plenty of reasons to think there's no future for him in this organization.

Sure, he's an RFA, so as far as his North American prospects are concerned, he's stuck with this organization. He could ask for a trade, if that's the path his camp would choose to take. But there's NOTHING stopping him from going back to the SHL, much less to the KHL, where he'd likely get better money anyways.

My point with respect to all these guys, particularly Aho and Koivula (because they're the closest to the show), is that they may just not have a future here. Just looks like there's no real opening for them over the long run.

Oh, that's, uh, radical.

Casey is really one of those guys I cannot see this team wanting to part with. And I can't see Lamoriello ever wanting to let him go unless/until he becomes a free agent and perhaps outprices himself.

It will be interesting to see what was up with acquiring Schmaltz. He's a Group 6 UFA this summer. We've seen very little of him thus far.

As for Wilde, he'll be in Bridgeport next season and he'll be getting a regular shift. It will be very interesting to see how he adjusts. I don't think he's all that far behind Dobson in the grand scheme of things, but between the ankle and now the corona virus, this is practically a lost season.

I don't understand NOT qualifying Wotherspoon and Vande Sompel. They are RFAs and can simply be qualified to provide depth and experience at the AHL level. I actually like Vande Sompel quite a bit, it is unfortunate that he has been injured all season. With Wilde, Hutton, Burroughs, and most likely Dobson that RH side of the AHL D should be solid moving into next season. No need for someone like Schmaltz.

Trading Cizikas is crazy talk - Koivula playing C right now makes him more valuable and who knows where he eventually lines up in the NHL - he is also only 21.

I would resign AHO - he must pass thru waivers next season, so my guess would be that he is the team's 7th D man. Signing a one way deal for the league minimum for a season or 2 is a good move by the Isles.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

I don't understand NOT qualifying Wotherspoon and Vande Sompel. They are RFAs and can simply be qualified to provide depth and experience at the AHL level. I actually like Vande Sompel quite a bit, it is unfortunate that he has been injured all season. With Wilde, Hutton, Burroughs, and most likely Dobson that RH side of the AHL D should be solid moving into next season. No need for someone like Schmaltz.

A few things...

- The reason not to qualify someone is in order to free up contracts, if desired.
- I believe Burroughs is an RFA as well this summer.
- Schmaltz was just traded for and is a former first rounder. Then the team got to see less than 10 games out of him. Dunno how they'll proceed here.

Trading Cizikas is crazy talk - Koivula playing C right now makes him more valuable and who knows where he eventually lines up in the NHL - he is also only 21.

Definitely a commodity. But in the position of being a sweetener in the right deal (maybe together with Leddy).

I would resign AHO - he must pass thru waivers next season, so my guess would be that he is the team's 7th D man. Signing a one way deal for the league minimum for a season or 2 is a good move by the Isles.

Of course, it's in the Islanders' interest to up him so as to maintain him as an asset.

As mentioned in the post above, I'm not thinking Aho's camp is ready to hang around under the current circumstances, but who knows. Maybe the factor you mention is the one saving grace his camp may see.

 

[SI]

A few things...

- The reason not to qualify someone is in order to free up contracts, if desired.
- I believe Burroughs is an RFA as well this summer.
- Schmaltz was just traded for and is a former first rounder. Then the team got to see less than 10 games out of him. Dunno how they'll proceed here.



Definitely a commodity. But in the position of being a sweetener in the right deal (maybe together with Leddy).



Of course, it's in the Islanders' interest to up him so as to maintain him as an asset.

As mentioned in the post above, I'm not thinking Aho's camp is ready to hang around under the current circumstances, but who knows. Maybe the factor you mention is the one saving grace his camp may see.

I understand that the number of contracts should be monitored, but there are more likely candidates to see the exit than Vande Sompel and Wotherspoon. I gather we hold the same opinion on MVS, the former 2nd rounder, who I think still has great potential to be an NHLer. His lost season is unfortunate.

It is likely Wotherspoon simply takes a similar path as Kyle Burroughs, providing leadership and depth at the AHL level than a path that Mayfield took, who played over 200 games at the AHL level before finally cracking the roster. Wotherspoon is still only 22 and has logged almost 200 pro games. The Isles organization on the RH side is deeper than the left (especially at the pro level), a central reason to qualify Wotherspoon.

Hutton, Wilde, and Dobson should be your starting RHD at Bport next season. And you are correct about Burroughs, who I thought was signed for one more season, but who I'd bring back.

Back to the left side - Bolduc will return to juniors, Salo re-signed with his Euro club (would have been nice to see him come over), and Krygier and Mirageas likely return to their respective schools.

Signing an NCAA free agent d man, like Alec Rauhauser, can be a solid and quality move.

I would also look long and hard at Nikita Nesterov and Artom Zub, hell signing both would open (and ease the tension) up the possibilities of trading players like Mayfield and Leddy for help upfront.

About Koivula, he was one of the youngest players in the AHL last season and moved to a new position. He is still only 21 and maybe next season takes another leap forward, either at C or the W.

With regards to Leddy - I truly believe moving him this offseason is imperative to replenishing picks and alleviating the cap pressure.
I truly believe he can certainly return a late #1 and no need for a sweetener like Koivula.

I have eyes on New Jersey, who currently hold 3 2020 #1's and desperately need help on the LH side of the blueline. I am looking at a deal that Toronto made for Muzzin, who returned a late #1, and two former 2nd round prospects. My hope is a 2020 #1 (Vancouver pick right now would be 20 or 21) and the Isles 2021 2nd round pick that we gave up for Greene would be an ideal move. If that is truly reaching for the stars, then certainly multiple 2nd round picks + can work... even if those picks are used for currency next deadline

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

I understand that the number of contracts should be monitored, but there are more likely candidates to see the exit than Vande Sompel and Wotherspoon. I gather we hold the same opinion on MVS, the former 2nd rounder, who I think still has great potential to be an NHLer. His lost season is unfortunate.

Yes, there are a number of candidates with respect to freeing up contracts.

I also think the organization is filled with bodies who are not going to be aiding the big team moving forward. Unfortunately, a handful of those guys are harder to get rid of than others.

I expect MVS to be re-upped despite injures and there's certainly nothing wrong with holding onto Wotherspoon. But according to CapFriendly, we currently have 49 contracted players. That MUST change and it'd be best if Lou has a good 12 contract slots or so to work with next summer. It is time to move on from a few people.

Just for protocol, MVS was a 3rd rounder.

It is likely Wotherspoon simply takes a similar path as Kyle Burroughs, providing leadership and depth at the AHL level than a path that Mayfield took, who played over 200 games at the AHL level before finally cracking the roster. Wotherspoon is still only 22 and has logged almost 200 pro games. The Isles organization on the RH side is deeper than the left (especially at the pro level), a central reason to qualify Wotherspoon.

I just don't know if he's good enough to one day be an NHLer. I wonder if management has determined that?

Hutton, Wilde, and Dobson should be your starting RHD at Bport next season. And you are correct about Burroughs, who I thought was signed for one more season, but who I'd bring back.

I think Dobson's role on the Island is going to get bigger next season. Unless someone considerate is added to that blueline, I can't see him in the AHL.

Back to the left side - Bolduc will return to juniors, Salo re-signed with his Euro club (would have been nice to see him come over), and Krygier and Mirageas likely return to their respective schools.

Salo is playing for Orebro in the SHL and has one more year on his contract, but with an out clause.

Krygier is one to keep an eye on moving forward, but Mirageas kind of fell off the planet. After 19 points as a freshman and a drop as a sophomore, he just put up 3(!) in 26 games as a junior.

Signing an NCAA free agent d man, like Alec Rauhauser, can be a solid and quality move.

He'd be an interesting addition. Size and a two-way game.

I would also look long and hard at Nikita Nesterov and Artom Zub, hell signing both would open (and ease the tension) up the possibilities of trading players like Mayfield and Leddy for help upfront.

The problem here is that I think both will be signed BEFORE we get to free agency. I don't know if we're allowed to sign more than one player before July 1st (when some current contracts run out)?

About Koivula, he was one of the youngest players in the AHL last season and moved to a new position. He is still only 21 and maybe next season takes another leap forward, either at C or the W.

At the moment, he's got 4 NHL centers ahead of him up the middle and no less than Lee, Beauvillier, Bellows, and Johnston/Martin to contend with on the left. I know, Martin will soon be a UFA, but I think they're keeping him around.

I'm trying to project his long-term possibilities here.

With regards to Leddy - I truly believe moving him this offseason is imperative to replenishing picks and alleviating the cap pressure. I truly believe he can certainly return a late #1 and no need for a sweetener like Koivula.

Leddy should, on his own, be very marketable. And several teams are entering this draft with a plethora of picks this summer.

I have eyes on New Jersey, who currently hold 3 2020 #1's and desperately need help on the LH side of the blueline. I am looking at a deal that Toronto made for Muzzin, who returned a late #1, and two former 2nd round prospects. My hope is a 2020 #1 (Vancouver pick right now would be 20 or 21) and the Isles 2021 2nd round pick that we gave up for Greene would be an ideal move. If that is truly reaching for the stars, then certainly multiple 2nd round picks + can work... even if those picks are used for currency next deadline

This is a pretty cool idea and one would have to think that NJD remains a strong dialog partner for Lamoriello. I usually can't envision division rivals making deals, but I think Lou's connection overrides that. They don't have any seconds this year and only ours next year.

The Red Wings have a ton of picks.
Ottawa currently has 13, including 9 in the first three rounds.
Heck, Montreal even has 14 picks this summer.

And I can see all four of these teams having interest in Leddy.

It'll be exciting to see how they go about sculpting things this summer.

 

[SI90]

From Lou’s recent Q&A

 

[PWJunior]

From Lou’s recent Q&A

But I thought he wanted to be traded... dur hur.

 

[SI90]

But I thought he wanted to be traded... dur hur.

no, he was traded to Chicago. Dredger said so!!!! I guess they’re just waiting to file the paper Work lol

 

[mm11]

From Lou’s recent Q&A

would be a nice shot in the arm if he was the real deal