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New York Islanders Five Potential Centers for 2019 Draft Targets

DALLAS, TX - JUNE 23: (l-r) Lou and Chris Lamoriello of the New York Islanders attend the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 23, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - JUNE 23: (l-r) Lou and Chris Lamoriello of the New York Islanders attend the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 23, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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VANCOUVER, BC – DECEMBER 31: Brett Leason #20 of Canada tries to sidestep a bodycheck from Saveli Olshanski #8 of Russia in Group A hockey action of the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship on December, 31, 2018 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BC – DECEMBER 31: Brett Leason #20 of Canada tries to sidestep a bodycheck from Saveli Olshanski #8 of Russia in Group A hockey action of the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship on December, 31, 2018 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images) /

Brett Leason | Prince Albert Raiders, 6’5″ 200lbs

Bob McKenzie: 25th
Tankathon: 26th
MyNHLDraft: 26th
DraftSite: 26th

The consensus seems to be that Brett Leason might be drafted 25th or 26th, right about where the New York Islanders might be selecting.

If you like Islanders current Bridgeport Sound Tigers center Otto Koivula you’re going to love Brett Leason. Standing 6’5″ and already 200lbs, Leason is a big kid. Just like Koivula (Koivula is 6’5″ 190lbs).

And with the success that Otto Koivula has seen at the AHL level (40 points 54 games), it’s easy to see why Isles fans might want more.

But the issue with big bodies at the major junior level is just how they’ll transition into the AHL and NHL. At the major junior level players like Leason stand heads and shoulders above most of their opponents. They’re almost quite literally able to bulldoze their way through games.

Leason has 89 points in 54 games (including 36 goals) for the Prince Albert Raiders of the WHL who lead, the league with 110 points.

But that big body isn’t always such an advantage when players jump up a level in the hockey world. When they play against men rather than 18-year-old boys. No longer are they the only 6’5″ player in the league.

But if the Islanders can develop Brett Leason along the same path as Otto Koivula they’ll have a center who’s positionally sound and big enough to make a leap as soon as he’s ready. With the skill Leason is reported to have this shouldn’t be a case of Michael Dal Colle type of grooming. Maybe a year or two and he’ll be ready.

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