New York Islanders Top 10 Prospects In the System in 2018

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BUFFALO, NY – JUNE 24: Kieffer Bellows celebrates with the New York Islanders after being selected 19th during round one of the 2016 NHL Draft on June 24, 2016 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

The New York Islanders have a clear eye towards the future. Thankfully, they have a system that boasts some incredible talent that will make the NHL in years to come. Maybe even next season.

Thanks to cooler head prevailing, the New York Islanders managed to escape the 2018 NHL draft with two top-tier talents. They bided their time and allowed other teams to make off-board selections allowing the Islanders to pick players they had no business taking at eleven and 12.

With the eleventh overall pick, they selected Oliver Wahlstrom. Wahlstrom is arguably the second best goal scorer in the draft behind Filip Zadina. With 48 goals in 62 games for the U18 US National Development program, you can see why he’s earned that distinction.

With the 12th overall pick, the Islanders took Noah Dobson. A defenseman without a gap in his game. Dobson does everything well. Everything.

We were all calling for the Islanders to make a trade using one or both of their picks. But by holding on to them they added two top-ten prospects to their system.

A system that already boasts a number of blue-chip prospects. Some are poised to make the NHL this year, while others might need another year or two before making to the Big Show. And one who may never come to North America.

The New York Islanders already have 20-year-old Mathew Barzal leading the team. They have Anthony Beauvillier to bring in some secondary scoring behind Barzal, and Ryan Pulock tossing 100mph rockets from the blueline.

The Isles already have exciting young players on the roster, and in the years to come more will add their names to the roster.