New York Islanders Daily: Connor McMichael Mocked To Isles

It’s never too early to look at NHL Mock Drafts and with the New York Islanders off until Friday, now’s the time to look at all the draft stuff.

I certainly can’t be the only one missing New York Islanders hockey. After all, they are still in first place in the Metropolitan Division (had to work that one in here somehow). So after the All-Star festivities, I was looking for any piece of Islanders content I can get my hands on.

Yesterday, NHL.com released a mock draft. Three writers made selections based on the current NHL Standings. One writer selected Lassi Thomas, a defenseman to the Isles but what I found more interesting was two other writers selected the same guy.

Both Mike G.Morreale and Guillaume Lepage have the Islanders taking Connor McMichael with the 26th pick. McMichael is a center, currently playing in the OHL with the London Knights. McMichael is described as an offensive center.

He’s six-foot tall and 170 pounds. Morreale describes him as a skilled center with good vision, instincts, and puck skills. In 44 games, McMichael has 54 points (28 goals, 26 assists).

Dominic Tiano had this to say on the prospect, as the one criticism of his game:

"If there is an area I would like to see him continue to work on it’s his skating. He’s a good skater – strong on his skates, good edge work, can move east-west well. But I would like to see him add an extra gear to his first few strides and top end speed. I’m not concerned as that can be worked on, and by all accounts, McMichael is more then willing to put in the effort."

Right now, the Isles don’t have a ton of depth in the prospect pool with centers. They’re pretty set on the blue line and on the wing so adding McMichael to the mix would surely be a plus. Right now, Otto Koivula and Ruslan Iskakakov are the only two centers worthy of note in the Islanders system.

I know it’s early for draft talk, but it’s good to keep players in mind, this year likely in the back half of the first-round for a change.

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