New York Islanders 2017-18 Season: Prospects Hoping To Make Roster

Michael Dal Colle

Drafted fifth overall in the 2014 NHL Draft after the New York Islanders finished the 2013-14 season third from the bottom in the East with 79 points. Big things were expected of Michael Dal Colle. Now he hasn’t failed to live up to expectations yet, but he surely isn’t looking like a gem right now.

He ended his junior career with 316 points in 246 games between the Oshawa Generals and Kingston Frontenacs. You can see why expectations were high for the Woodbridge, Ontario native.

But since making the jump to the AHL last season, Dal Colle hasn’t exactly continued that progression to where we’d all thought he’d be.

Must Read: Michael Dal Colle Needs To Step Up

In 75 games with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in 2016-17 Dal Colle put up 41 points. His best run of form was when teammate and roommate Josh Ho-Sang was on the team.

It makes sense, Ho-Sang is a pass first type of player, willing to set up play rather than finish it. While Dal Colle is a finisher. Once Ho-Sang left for the NHL, Dal Colle’s production dried up.

His 41 points still isn’t a bad return, it’s just not what we all came to expect from a fourth overall pick from four years ago. The hope was to have a player ready for the NHL by now.

Making the team seems like a long shot for Dal Colle, but with injuries a guarantee during the season Dal Colle will get his shot during the 2017-18 season. It’s just a matter of when not if.