The New York Islanders made two selections in the first round of the draft, adding to an already deep crop of prospects including Kieffer Bellows.
With two first and second-round picks in Friday night’s draft, the New York Islanders retooled a farm system that was ranked fifteenth in the league at the start of last season.
Pete Blackburn of CBS Sports named the Islanders a “winner” at the draft. The organization decided to take both picks instead of turning one into a ready NHLer, which may just be a “blessing in disguise,” writes Blackburn.
While it will take years before analysts can solidly grade the Isles’ 2018 draft class, one thing is for certain: the pipeline is teeming with prospects right now.
Here’s a look at where things stand:
1 — Kieffer Bellows, LW
Team: Bridgeport (AHL) Age: 20 ETA: 2018 DOB: 08/10/1998 Shoots: L Height: 6’0” Weight: 198 lb. Drafted: 2016, 1st (19)
Prospect Talent Score: 7 | Probability of Success: B
When the Islanders picked Bellows in the first round of the 2016 Entry Level Draft, the forward was a one-dimensional player. He has since added a defensive element to his game, to compliment his howitzer of a shot and hard-nosed, gritty style of play. All-in-all, Bellows is a high-end offensive talent with a nose for the net and a mean streak. He projects to be a top-6 forward at the game’s highest level.
2017-18 Stats — Portland Winterhawks (WHL): 56 GP, 41 G, 33 A, 74 PTS, 63 PIM, 40 +/-
2 — Ilya Sorokin, G
Team: CSKA Moscow (KHL) Age: 22 ETA: 2020 DOB: 08/04/1995 Catches: L Height: 6’2” Weight: 188 lb. Drafted: 2014, 3rd (78)
Prospect Talent Score: 8 | Probability of Success: C
Sorokin exploded onto the scene in 2015-16, when he was named to the KHL First All-Star Team and set a number of goaltending records. Since then, he has done nothing but boost his stock. Sorokin is a great athlete who never gives up on a play, and has enough talent to recover from any mishap. The biggest obstacle to his future success is getting him overseas. He is under contract in Russia until 2020.
2017-18 Stats — CSKA Moscow (KHL): 37 GP, 1.59 GAA, .931 SV%
3 — Oliver Wahlstrom, C/RW
Team: Boston College (NCAA) Age: 18 ETA: 2019 DOB: 06/13/2000 Shoots: R Height: 6’1” Weight: 207 lb. Drafted: 2018, 1st (11)
Prospect Talent Score: 7 | Probability of Success: C
The Islanders had to be thrilled when Wahlstrom dropped to 11 in Friday night’s draft. He is a dual citizen of Sweden and the United States, spending the last two seasons playing for the latter’s national development team. Wahlstrom has a heavy shot and is already 6’1” and 207 pounds, good size for the next level. He has the potential to become an elite power forward for years to come.
2017-18 Stats — USU18NT (USDP): 62 GP, 48 G, 46 A, 94 PTS, 42 PIM
4 — Devon Toews, D
Team: Bridgeport (AHL) Age: 24 ETA: 2018 DOB: 02/21/1994 Shoots: L Height: 6’1” Weight: 192 lb. Drafted: 2014, 4th (108)
Prospect Talent Score: 6 | Probability of Success: C
Toews was well on his way to a midseason call-up before suffering a gruesome shoulder injury that sidelined him for the year. The 24-year-old is almost ready for the bright lights of Brooklyn. He is an excellent skater and a capable passer, with a skill set that matches what NHL teams are looking for.
2017-18 Stats — Bridgeport (AHL): 30 GP, 8 G, 14 A, 22 PTS, 8 PIM, 3 +/-
5 — Linus Söderström, G
Team: Bridgeport (AHL) Age: 21 ETA: 2019 DOB: 08/23/1996 Catches: L Height: 6’4” Weight: 196 lb. Drafted: 2014, 4th (95)
Prospect Talent Score: 6 | Probability of Success: D
Söderström had his worst career season with HV71 in 2017-18, but that shouldn’t diminish what he has accomplished over the past couple of years. Despite numerous reasons to quit, Söderström has persevered, winning a Swedish Hockey League championship and being named the U20 WJC Best Goaltender. He is a big-bodied netminder who can and should play 60-plus games once his fills out his frame.
2017-18 Stats — HV71 (SHL): 14 GP, 2.79 GAA, .894 SV%
6 — Noah Dobson, D
Team: Acadie-Bathurst Titan (QMJHL) Age: 18 ETA: 2020 DOB: 01/07/2000 Shoots: R Height: 6’3” Weight: 170 lb. Drafted: 2018, 1st (12)
Prospect Talent Score: 8 | Probability of Success: B
Dobson has all the makings of a top-pair blueliner. He can play in all situations and is a two-way threat. More impressively, Dobson won everything this year — gold at the Ivan Hlinka Tournament, Memorial Cup and QMJHL Championships. In addition, he can anchor both a penalty kill and power play — a recipe for NHL success.
2017-18 Stats — Acadie-Bathurst Titan (QMJHL): 67 GP, 17 G, 52 A, 69 PTS, 52 PIM, 33 +/-
7 — Michael Dal Colle, LW
Team: Bridgeport (AHL) Age: 22 ETA: 2018 DOB: 06/20/1996 Shoots: L Height: 6’3” Weight: 205 lb. Drafted: 2014, 1st (5)
Prospect Talent Score: 6 | Probability of Success: D
Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Dal Colle was once one of the top prospects in hockey, a fifth overall pick with championship pedigree. But he has struggled to work on the things that plagued him most in juniors — skating and defensive play. He is still a top offensive talent, though, able to do things with the puck that others can only dream about. But until he makes strides as a skater, he won’t be a regular.
2017-18 Stats — Bridgeport (AHL): 60 GP, 7 G, 17 A, 24 PTS, 26 PIM, -14 +/-
8 — Joshua Ho-Sang, RW
Team: Bridgeport (AHL) Age: 22 ETA: 2018 DOB: 01/22/1996 Shoots: R Height: 6’0” Weight: 172 lb. Drafted: 2014, 1st (28)
Prospect Talent Score: 7 | Probability of Success: C
Ho-Sang is an exceptionally gifted offensive player. The problem is that his defense is equally woeful, according to his coaches. Ho-Sang does things on offense that no player has any business doing. He dangles around people and controls the tempo of the game when the puck is on the blade of his stick. His game outside of the offensive zone needs work, and should be a top priority for him to improve on.
2017-18 Stats — Bridgeport (AHL): 50 GP, 8 G, 23 A, 31 PTS, 40 PTS, -2 +/-
9 — Bode Wilde, D
Team: Unknown (OHL) Age: 18 ETA: 2021 DOB: 01/24/2000 Shoots: Height: 6’4” Weight: 198 lb. Drafted: 2018, 2nd (41)
Prospect Talent Score: 8 | Probability of Success: C
Wilde’s slide in the 2018 Draft was likely precipitated by concerns about his decision-making ability, but his upside is just too high to ignore. Wilde reminds analysts of Scott Niedermayer, and for good reason: He is a big-bodied defender who can quarterback a power play or clear the crease on the penalty kill. He is one of the draft’s most polarizing prospects.
2017-18 Stats — USU18NT (USDP): 61 GP, 12 G, 29 A, 41 PTS, 65 PIM
10 — David Quenneville, D
Team: Bridgeport (AHL) Age: 20 ETA: 2019 DOB: 03/13/1998 Shoots: R Height: 5’8” Weight: 194 lb. Drafted: 2016, 7th (200)
Prospect Talent Score: 5 | Probability of Success: C
Quenneville reminds analysts of Jared Spurgeon, the former Islanders draft pick who ended up making it big elsewhere. Quenneville is only 5’8”, but makes up for it with his bloodlines (current Islanders blueliner Johnny Boychuk is his uncle) and hockey sense. He is a poised performer and an offensive powerhouse. Expect to see him in blue and orange sooner rather than later.
2017-18 Stats — Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL): 70 GP, 26 G, 54 A, 80 PTS, 58 PIM, 7 +/-
