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New York Islanders 2017 NHL Draft Profile: Kailer Yamamoto

By Christopher Lizza |
Jun 30, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; Ryan Pulock puts on a jersey after being introduced as the number fifteen overall pick to the New York Islanders during the 2013 NHL Draft at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 30, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; Ryan Pulock puts on a jersey after being introduced as the number fifteen overall pick to the New York Islanders during the 2013 NHL Draft at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Islanders have a lot of preparation to do regarding their first-round pick (15th overall) in the upcoming June draft. Reason being, there are many player possibilities for the Isles to choose from. Today we take a look at Kailer Yamamoto.

Kailer Yamamoto is one of the interesting cases in this June’s draft. He has ridiculous skills including game-breaking ability which makes him intriguing to the New York Islanders. But there are many questions as well.

Background

Yamamoto is from Spokane, Washington. He is considered small for NHL standards at just 5’8 and 158 lbs. This past year he played with Spokane Chiefs and scored 42 goals along with 99 points in 65 games.

The diminutive forward has a plethora of skills. He is described as an electric winger with play-making ability. The right winger has a great shot, quickness, high hockey IQ, and potentially could be worth the price of admission.

New York Islanders

Obviously, the knock on Yamamoto is his size. While small he is tough on the puck and the kid from Spokane wins battles. Yamamoto plays a lot bigger than his size.

Many have said if Yamamoto was a few inches taller, he would be a top-five selection in this year’s draft.

Fit with Isles?

The question for the Islanders and Garth Snow is Yamamoto a good fit for the blue and orange?

The Isles are in excellent shape regarding their prospect pipeline. They are deep at all positions in their farm system with exciting prospects.

The Islanders enter this draft with no mandate regarding any position. When it’s time for the Islanders to select they will pick the best player on the board.

Yamamoto’s skills will be very hard for Snow to pass up if he is still on the board at number 15. He could get selected anywhere from right after the top ten to the end of the first round.

Teams that pass on Yamamoto could wind up deeply regretting it a couple of years from now. The combination of Yamamoto – Mathew Barzal in a couple of years could be can’t miss hockey tv on a nightly basis.

Next: Draft Player Profile: Nolan Patrick

Keep in mind today’s NHL is a different game. There are many small skilled forwards who are big contributors in today’s game. Yamamoto’s skill and determination might just be too hard to pass up.

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