New York Islanders Prospect: Michael Dal Colle 2017-2018 Review

Despite making his NHL debut with the New York Islanders, Michael Dal Colle’s 2017-2018 season was ultimately a failure.

Coming up on four years ago, Michael Dal Colle was drafted by the New York Islanders fifth overall. When you take someone in the top-five you expect them to be an impactful piece of your franchise going forward, and it’s usually sooner rather than later.

Everyone else who was selected in the top-five of that draft has played over 200 games at the NHL level already. Michael Dal Colle has played just four. If you exclude Conner Bleackley, who ended up getting drafted again in the fifth round two years later, Dal Colle has played the fewest amount of games for any first rounder that year.

In his four games with the Islanders, he didn’t put up any points. He had just one shot on goal in the four games, which made his presence virtually non-existent.

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Dal Colle wasn’t very good at the AHL level either. In his first full year at the AHL level in 2016-2017, he had an okay year putting up 41 points (15 goals, 26 assists). He followed that up with just 24 points in (7 goals, 17 assists) in 60 games played this year.

What happened to Michael Dal Colle?

He was a dominant player in the OHL but has really been unable to produce at the AHL level, let alone the NHL level. Of course, the most frustrating part is he was a top-five pick.

Can you raise the point that it’s the Islanders fault he hasn’t developed? Are they trying to make him more mindful in the defensive zone instead of just letting him play his game? I think you could certainly make the case, although in all likelihood it’s probably a mix of both.

With Dal Colle’s poor season, I don’t see him as a piece of the New York Islanders future. I fully expect him to be a part of a trade this offseason. It’s sad that a former top-five pick won’t be the centerpiece of a trade, but instead a throw in.

Next: Lou Lamoriello isn't coming

If he can help the Islanders land a solid defenseman or a starting goalie, Islanders fans will breathe a sigh of relief.