Zack22
Registered User
- Dec 6, 2016
- 136
- 102
Going into the off-season the goal for the Islanders was to come out of the draft with improved centre and defensive depth. However like every other draft we planned on taking best available player.
10 - Traded ( To EDM 10th and Sebastian Cossa for Jesper Wallstedt and Marco Rossi)
Even before the draft we accomplished one of our goals, adding a top-6 centre in Marco Rossi. In addition to Rossi, swapping Cossa for Wallstedt was a move we couldn’t refuse as we viewed Wallstedt in his own category for NHL goalie prospects. If we stayed at 10 the highest ranked player on our board was Dmitri Simashev.
16 - D, Dmitri Simashev, Lokomotiv, KHL
Simashev was the number one defenceman on our draft board and in our top 10. We were thrilled when he was available at 16. Simashev has a unique combo of size and speed, with strong four-way mobility and good edge work. His defence is already at a strong level with his ability to stop plays off the rush and have good gap control against competition at both the MHL and KHL level. While he did not produce many points this season, we believe Simashev has offensive potential. When you watch him play he has silky smooth hands and can make transition passes effortlessly. Standing at 6’4 simashev is an extremely physical defenceman, never afraid to use his body to disrupt possession. Simashev’s floor is a top 4 defensive defenceman with the ability to be a top pairing defenceman if the offence comes.
31 - C/RW, Gavin Brindley, Michigan, NCAA
We tried everything to trade back into the first round to take Brindley. Eventually making a trade with the flames shipping picks 42, 60 and Winnipeg’s 2nd in 2024 for 31 and Calgary’s 3rd 2026. If Simashev was gone at 16, we would’ve taken Brindley there. Let’s start with the negative on Brindley, his size, he’s 5’9, 157 pounds. Other than his size Brindley brings so much to the table. His defensive game is the first thing that stood out to us, one of the best backwards skaters, he often helped Michigan out when Luke Hughes would pinch in. He also plays PK minutes for Michigan. It was in the second half of the season where his offence exploded, after being put on a line with Fantilli and McGroarty. Brindley was the guy on that line who drove play, his transition work is elite. Once he got in the offensive zone he showed his high iq and playmaking skills to find one of his two line mates. Unlike other small players Brindley is physical and will battle in the corners for pucks. He projects as a middle-six forward, with the upside to be a top-six player.
38 - C, Gracyn Sawchyn, Seattle, WHL
While watching another Islanders prospect Brad Lambert during their memorial cup run, Sawchyn constantly stood out to us. He played majority of the year in a sheltered role on a stacked thunderbirds team and still managed to be a point per game and work his way up the lineup. Sawchyn may have the best hands in the draft. What he’s able to do with the puck in tight spaces is a sight to see. Sawchyn has strong straight line speed but needs to work on adding a more powerful stride and first step if he wants to elevate his game to the next level. He’s also a strong playmaker but lacks an elite shot. He should have a larger role on Seattle next season which should help clear his projection. For now he shows the ability to be a middle-six centre who may transition to the wing.
57 - C, Luca Pinelli, Ottawa, OHL
If you haven’t been able to tell already from my previous draft I’m a believer in the short kings and why not take another gamble on someone like Pinelli. Yes like Brindley he’s 5’9 and needs to bulk up. But Pinelli has a great combination of creativity and high skill level. When Pinelli has the puck it’s glued to his stick due to his puck control. He has strong pace as well, however he needs to work on keeping that pace and not slowing down in the offensive zone. Pinelli has middle-six potential if he can improve some areas of his game.
75 - C/LW, Martin Misak, Youngstown, USHL
Another pick acquired by trade, giving up all our day 2 picks except for one for this pick. Misak is an intriguing prospect. While the offence isn’t dynamic, Misak is a great skater and strong defensively. After coming over from Slovakia it took a few games for Misak to feel comfortable in the USHL but as the year went on he excelled. He doesn’t panic in pressure situations and is a transition darling. He profiles as a bottom-six centre with his skating and defensive profile with the upside to play a middle-six role.
100 - LW, Noel Nordh, Brynas, J20
A common thread for our late round picks, players with high iq and defensively responsible. Nordh checks all those boxes. While he’s not the greatest skater he finds ways to transition the puck and be a good facilitator for his line mates. He may not posses the offensive tools to be a play driver but with his smarts he’s a great support player able to find open passing lanes to spring teammates. Another two-way player who projects as a bottom-six player.
This being the 4th draft since we started our rebuild/retool an updated future depth chart will be posted at a later date.
10 - Traded ( To EDM 10th and Sebastian Cossa for Jesper Wallstedt and Marco Rossi)
Even before the draft we accomplished one of our goals, adding a top-6 centre in Marco Rossi. In addition to Rossi, swapping Cossa for Wallstedt was a move we couldn’t refuse as we viewed Wallstedt in his own category for NHL goalie prospects. If we stayed at 10 the highest ranked player on our board was Dmitri Simashev.
16 - D, Dmitri Simashev, Lokomotiv, KHL
Simashev was the number one defenceman on our draft board and in our top 10. We were thrilled when he was available at 16. Simashev has a unique combo of size and speed, with strong four-way mobility and good edge work. His defence is already at a strong level with his ability to stop plays off the rush and have good gap control against competition at both the MHL and KHL level. While he did not produce many points this season, we believe Simashev has offensive potential. When you watch him play he has silky smooth hands and can make transition passes effortlessly. Standing at 6’4 simashev is an extremely physical defenceman, never afraid to use his body to disrupt possession. Simashev’s floor is a top 4 defensive defenceman with the ability to be a top pairing defenceman if the offence comes.
31 - C/RW, Gavin Brindley, Michigan, NCAA
We tried everything to trade back into the first round to take Brindley. Eventually making a trade with the flames shipping picks 42, 60 and Winnipeg’s 2nd in 2024 for 31 and Calgary’s 3rd 2026. If Simashev was gone at 16, we would’ve taken Brindley there. Let’s start with the negative on Brindley, his size, he’s 5’9, 157 pounds. Other than his size Brindley brings so much to the table. His defensive game is the first thing that stood out to us, one of the best backwards skaters, he often helped Michigan out when Luke Hughes would pinch in. He also plays PK minutes for Michigan. It was in the second half of the season where his offence exploded, after being put on a line with Fantilli and McGroarty. Brindley was the guy on that line who drove play, his transition work is elite. Once he got in the offensive zone he showed his high iq and playmaking skills to find one of his two line mates. Unlike other small players Brindley is physical and will battle in the corners for pucks. He projects as a middle-six forward, with the upside to be a top-six player.
38 - C, Gracyn Sawchyn, Seattle, WHL
While watching another Islanders prospect Brad Lambert during their memorial cup run, Sawchyn constantly stood out to us. He played majority of the year in a sheltered role on a stacked thunderbirds team and still managed to be a point per game and work his way up the lineup. Sawchyn may have the best hands in the draft. What he’s able to do with the puck in tight spaces is a sight to see. Sawchyn has strong straight line speed but needs to work on adding a more powerful stride and first step if he wants to elevate his game to the next level. He’s also a strong playmaker but lacks an elite shot. He should have a larger role on Seattle next season which should help clear his projection. For now he shows the ability to be a middle-six centre who may transition to the wing.
57 - C, Luca Pinelli, Ottawa, OHL
If you haven’t been able to tell already from my previous draft I’m a believer in the short kings and why not take another gamble on someone like Pinelli. Yes like Brindley he’s 5’9 and needs to bulk up. But Pinelli has a great combination of creativity and high skill level. When Pinelli has the puck it’s glued to his stick due to his puck control. He has strong pace as well, however he needs to work on keeping that pace and not slowing down in the offensive zone. Pinelli has middle-six potential if he can improve some areas of his game.
75 - C/LW, Martin Misak, Youngstown, USHL
Another pick acquired by trade, giving up all our day 2 picks except for one for this pick. Misak is an intriguing prospect. While the offence isn’t dynamic, Misak is a great skater and strong defensively. After coming over from Slovakia it took a few games for Misak to feel comfortable in the USHL but as the year went on he excelled. He doesn’t panic in pressure situations and is a transition darling. He profiles as a bottom-six centre with his skating and defensive profile with the upside to play a middle-six role.
100 - LW, Noel Nordh, Brynas, J20
A common thread for our late round picks, players with high iq and defensively responsible. Nordh checks all those boxes. While he’s not the greatest skater he finds ways to transition the puck and be a good facilitator for his line mates. He may not posses the offensive tools to be a play driver but with his smarts he’s a great support player able to find open passing lanes to spring teammates. Another two-way player who projects as a bottom-six player.
This being the 4th draft since we started our rebuild/retool an updated future depth chart will be posted at a later date.
