Zack22
Registered User
- Dec 6, 2016
- 136
- 102
Since the offseason of 2020, it became apparent that the Islanders were heading into a rebuild. It is safe to say that our prospect pool is much improved since our days as a contender. With the improved prospect pool and the recognition of the rebuild, we felt it was okay to take risks this draft in order to reap the benefits in the future.
1st Round, 6th Overall - C/RW Brad Lambert, Lahti
The first risky selection in this entry draft for the Islanders was deciding to take one of the most polarizing prospects in this years draft class in Brad Lambert. Let's start with the reason why I selected Lambert. At the 6th overall position I did not believe there was a player in this draft with more talent than Brad Lambert left on the board. The best aspect of Lambert's game is his skating ability, he has close to perfect skating posture and uses his large frame to get end-to-end in no time. On top of his skating ability, Lambert has one of the smoothest set of hands in this draft class, the way he is able to maneuver the puck while at top speed and in tight space is a large reason he peaked my interest. Now the reasons why he is considered such a risk at this spot in the draft. The biggest concern of the general public is his lack of production in Liiga this year. On top of that there are questions about his hockey IQ, not being able to read simple passing lanes and often opting for more creative and risker moves which result in turnovers. Lastly, there is concern with the fact that he bounced between two teams in his draft year this year. When looking at the first issue, I see his lack of production as a mixture of his somewhat poor hockey sense as well as a combination of playing on a team that did not play with a style that utilizes Lamber to the best of his ability. There were viewings I had of him where his team would breakout of the defensive end in a horizontal line making it impossible for Lambert to use his speed and skill to get by all five defenders of the opposite team. Overall, I believe a change of scenery will help Lambert and potentially mitigate the risk. I would be more than shocked to see Lambert play again for the Pelicans and in the Liiga in general. I believe next year he will go to North America, most likely the CHL playing for Saskatoon where he should be able to use his speed and skill to dominate. I would not be shocked to see Lambert fall in the NHL draft to somewhere between the 20-40 range. If all goes well, there is a chance Lambert ends up as a top-six centre for years to come.
2nd Round, 34th Overall - D Lane Hutson, USNTDP
Onto the next risky pick of mine this draft, the shifty, creative and offensively gifted Lane Hutson. The biggest concern about Lane Hutson is none other than the fact that he is only 5'8". I truly believe if Lane Hutson was at least two inches taller he would be a lock in the top-10 and that is due to his amazing skillset as a defenceman. Whenever I have watched a USNTDP game, whether if it was just for fun or to scout a specific player, Lane Hutson always seemed to stand out. His ability to read play off puck often leads to creating turnovers for his team. When Hutson does have the puck he uses his smooth skating to bring the puck up himself, using crossovers and stick fakes to confuse defenders on the direction Hutson is truly trying to attack. On top of his ability to skate the puck up himself, he is one of the best playmaking defenders I have watched all year. He has all types of passes in his arsenal from a stretch pass from his own end to the opponent's blue line to a one-time pass on the powerplay, he is able to scan the ice for open passing lanes and execute the pass. Hutson is the one player I selfishly hope makes it to the NHL, he is too talented not to make the NHL, but the lack of size is concerning and could lead to him having problems defending in the NHL. We project Hutson to be a top-four defenceman in the NHL with the floor as a top-six player and powerplay specialist.
2nd Round, 49th Overall - D Vladimir Grudinin, Krasnaya
Grudinin is a prospect that first intrigued me during my time scouting the Russian region for DobberProspects. While he is also another undersized defenceman at 5'10", Grudinin is one of the fastest players in this draft. Grudinin's best attribute is his mobility, he is one of the best four-way skater in the draft, being able to move quickly in all directions. He uses his strong skating to be a force in the transition game often transitioning the puck himself from end-to-end. When Grudinin is in the offensive zone he uses his lateral quickness to walk the blue line trying to find open shooting and passing lanes. At times Grudinin also likes to join the rush in the offensive zone, bringing the puck down low attracting attention from the opposition allowing his teammates to get open. When he does pinch, at times it leads to him turning over the puck, however many times when he does turnover the puck he is able to get back and break up play using his speed. While Grudinin definitely needs to add some muscle to his frame, he still does not shy away from physical play. Defensively he uses his speed and an active stick to close gaps, break up plays and create turnovers. Like Hutson, there is a gamble taking an undersized, offensively skilled defenceman, there is also an added risk with Grudinin due to the Russian factor, which will most likely see him fall in the NHL Draft.
3rd Round, 66th Overall - RW Devin Kaplan, USNTDP
As noted in the McKeen's draft guide, Kaplan is one of my favourite sleeper picks in this draft, and I was quite excited that he was still available at this pick. While his numbers may make Kaplan seem like one of the less impactful players on this strong USNTDP team, his play would indicate the opposite. In my viewings of Kaplan he is usually the play driver on his line, often getting into good position without the puck, transitioning the puck consistently, and showing strong ability passing the puck. Kaplan has been used in all situations for the NTDP this season, he is an outstanding forechecker and the best penalty killing forward on his team this season. In the offensive zone, Kaplan loves to use his large frame to protect and cycle the puck to his teammates. The biggest concerns I have seen with Kaplan's game is his skating, specifically his east/west movement and his ability to skate with the puck. He could also work on his shot to make that more of a weapon. If Kaplan reaches his potential he can be a swiss army knife kind of player who plays in the middle-six and on both special teams.
3rd Round, 77th Overall - C Jordan Gustafson, Seattle
While majority of my picks leading up have been risky, Jordan Gustafson seems to be more on the safer side. While Gustafson doesn't have any abilities that are flashy and exceptional, he plays an extremely solid two-way game. He plays a strong game in all three zones, often relying less on individually making plays and focusing more heavily on involving his teammates and positioning himself off puck. His hockey IQ is definitely his greatest strength, something noticeable when watching Gustafson play, he does it while defending in his own end, covering for a pinching defenceman or sliding into the soft areas of the ice. Gustafson projects to be an NHL bottom-six centre, who will specialize on the penalty kill. He could use some improvement in his skating to keep up with NHLers at the next level.
3rd Round, 88th Overall - C Topi Ronni, Tappara
Topi Ronni, like Jordan Gustafson is a two-way centre, who has established himself as a complementary player to his wingers. Ronni's hockey IQ is the best part of his game, constantly reading play and putting himself in position to advance the puck. He has been strong defensively this season as well making quality plays on the penalty kill. Offensively, he is known most for his ability to set teammates up, using dekes, fakes and hesitations to draw opponents in then finding his open teammate for a dangerous chance. If Ronni reaches his potential he can become a top-nine playmaking centre, who can find time on the penalty kill.
Ultimately there are a ton of risks in this draft for us, however considering our biggest weakness in the depth charts are at centre and defence, this draft should help bolster the future for the HF NYI.
1st Round, 6th Overall - C/RW Brad Lambert, Lahti
The first risky selection in this entry draft for the Islanders was deciding to take one of the most polarizing prospects in this years draft class in Brad Lambert. Let's start with the reason why I selected Lambert. At the 6th overall position I did not believe there was a player in this draft with more talent than Brad Lambert left on the board. The best aspect of Lambert's game is his skating ability, he has close to perfect skating posture and uses his large frame to get end-to-end in no time. On top of his skating ability, Lambert has one of the smoothest set of hands in this draft class, the way he is able to maneuver the puck while at top speed and in tight space is a large reason he peaked my interest. Now the reasons why he is considered such a risk at this spot in the draft. The biggest concern of the general public is his lack of production in Liiga this year. On top of that there are questions about his hockey IQ, not being able to read simple passing lanes and often opting for more creative and risker moves which result in turnovers. Lastly, there is concern with the fact that he bounced between two teams in his draft year this year. When looking at the first issue, I see his lack of production as a mixture of his somewhat poor hockey sense as well as a combination of playing on a team that did not play with a style that utilizes Lamber to the best of his ability. There were viewings I had of him where his team would breakout of the defensive end in a horizontal line making it impossible for Lambert to use his speed and skill to get by all five defenders of the opposite team. Overall, I believe a change of scenery will help Lambert and potentially mitigate the risk. I would be more than shocked to see Lambert play again for the Pelicans and in the Liiga in general. I believe next year he will go to North America, most likely the CHL playing for Saskatoon where he should be able to use his speed and skill to dominate. I would not be shocked to see Lambert fall in the NHL draft to somewhere between the 20-40 range. If all goes well, there is a chance Lambert ends up as a top-six centre for years to come.
2nd Round, 34th Overall - D Lane Hutson, USNTDP
Onto the next risky pick of mine this draft, the shifty, creative and offensively gifted Lane Hutson. The biggest concern about Lane Hutson is none other than the fact that he is only 5'8". I truly believe if Lane Hutson was at least two inches taller he would be a lock in the top-10 and that is due to his amazing skillset as a defenceman. Whenever I have watched a USNTDP game, whether if it was just for fun or to scout a specific player, Lane Hutson always seemed to stand out. His ability to read play off puck often leads to creating turnovers for his team. When Hutson does have the puck he uses his smooth skating to bring the puck up himself, using crossovers and stick fakes to confuse defenders on the direction Hutson is truly trying to attack. On top of his ability to skate the puck up himself, he is one of the best playmaking defenders I have watched all year. He has all types of passes in his arsenal from a stretch pass from his own end to the opponent's blue line to a one-time pass on the powerplay, he is able to scan the ice for open passing lanes and execute the pass. Hutson is the one player I selfishly hope makes it to the NHL, he is too talented not to make the NHL, but the lack of size is concerning and could lead to him having problems defending in the NHL. We project Hutson to be a top-four defenceman in the NHL with the floor as a top-six player and powerplay specialist.
2nd Round, 49th Overall - D Vladimir Grudinin, Krasnaya
Grudinin is a prospect that first intrigued me during my time scouting the Russian region for DobberProspects. While he is also another undersized defenceman at 5'10", Grudinin is one of the fastest players in this draft. Grudinin's best attribute is his mobility, he is one of the best four-way skater in the draft, being able to move quickly in all directions. He uses his strong skating to be a force in the transition game often transitioning the puck himself from end-to-end. When Grudinin is in the offensive zone he uses his lateral quickness to walk the blue line trying to find open shooting and passing lanes. At times Grudinin also likes to join the rush in the offensive zone, bringing the puck down low attracting attention from the opposition allowing his teammates to get open. When he does pinch, at times it leads to him turning over the puck, however many times when he does turnover the puck he is able to get back and break up play using his speed. While Grudinin definitely needs to add some muscle to his frame, he still does not shy away from physical play. Defensively he uses his speed and an active stick to close gaps, break up plays and create turnovers. Like Hutson, there is a gamble taking an undersized, offensively skilled defenceman, there is also an added risk with Grudinin due to the Russian factor, which will most likely see him fall in the NHL Draft.
3rd Round, 66th Overall - RW Devin Kaplan, USNTDP
As noted in the McKeen's draft guide, Kaplan is one of my favourite sleeper picks in this draft, and I was quite excited that he was still available at this pick. While his numbers may make Kaplan seem like one of the less impactful players on this strong USNTDP team, his play would indicate the opposite. In my viewings of Kaplan he is usually the play driver on his line, often getting into good position without the puck, transitioning the puck consistently, and showing strong ability passing the puck. Kaplan has been used in all situations for the NTDP this season, he is an outstanding forechecker and the best penalty killing forward on his team this season. In the offensive zone, Kaplan loves to use his large frame to protect and cycle the puck to his teammates. The biggest concerns I have seen with Kaplan's game is his skating, specifically his east/west movement and his ability to skate with the puck. He could also work on his shot to make that more of a weapon. If Kaplan reaches his potential he can be a swiss army knife kind of player who plays in the middle-six and on both special teams.
3rd Round, 77th Overall - C Jordan Gustafson, Seattle
While majority of my picks leading up have been risky, Jordan Gustafson seems to be more on the safer side. While Gustafson doesn't have any abilities that are flashy and exceptional, he plays an extremely solid two-way game. He plays a strong game in all three zones, often relying less on individually making plays and focusing more heavily on involving his teammates and positioning himself off puck. His hockey IQ is definitely his greatest strength, something noticeable when watching Gustafson play, he does it while defending in his own end, covering for a pinching defenceman or sliding into the soft areas of the ice. Gustafson projects to be an NHL bottom-six centre, who will specialize on the penalty kill. He could use some improvement in his skating to keep up with NHLers at the next level.
3rd Round, 88th Overall - C Topi Ronni, Tappara
Topi Ronni, like Jordan Gustafson is a two-way centre, who has established himself as a complementary player to his wingers. Ronni's hockey IQ is the best part of his game, constantly reading play and putting himself in position to advance the puck. He has been strong defensively this season as well making quality plays on the penalty kill. Offensively, he is known most for his ability to set teammates up, using dekes, fakes and hesitations to draw opponents in then finding his open teammate for a dangerous chance. If Ronni reaches his potential he can become a top-nine playmaking centre, who can find time on the penalty kill.
Ultimately there are a ton of risks in this draft for us, however considering our biggest weakness in the depth charts are at centre and defence, this draft should help bolster the future for the HF NYI.
