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New York Islanders Centers to Target at 2019 NHL Draft 2.0

DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22: (l-r) Chris and Lou Lamoriello of the New York Islanders during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22: (l-r) Chris and Lou Lamoriello of the New York Islanders during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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ST CATHARINES, ON – OCTOBER 11: Ryan Suzuki #61 of the Barrie Colts skates with the puck during the second period of an OHL game against the Niagara IceDogs at Meridian Centre on October 11, 2018 in St Catharines, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
ST CATHARINES, ON – OCTOBER 11: Ryan Suzuki #61 of the Barrie Colts skates with the puck during the second period of an OHL game against the Niagara IceDogs at Meridian Centre on October 11, 2018 in St Catharines, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

Ryan Suzuki

Ryan Suzuki is young. He won’t turn 18 until May 28th and still put up 75 points in 65 games for the Barrie Colts. Suzuki has good size, standing 6’0″ and weighing 176 lbs, again, he’s only 17. He’ll still bulk up before eventually getting to the NHL.

Ryan is still a few years away before he’s ready physically for the NHL and before his skills are up to par. And according to Dominic Tiano, those skills could be top-notch.

"Ryan’s playmaking abilities border on elite. He sees the ice extremely well, and sees things developing before they actually do. And he can deliver a tape-to-tape pass or lead a teammate with a pass. The fact that 29 of his assists are primary assists speaks to the fact that he can deliver the disc for a scoring threat."

Suzuki should be available at 23 when the New York Islanders draft. But with the noise his older brother Nick Suzuki is making in the OHL with another 90 points regular season, 42 points in 26 playoff games with the Guelph Storm and a Memorial Cup potentially in his future maybe the younger Suzuki’s stock rises slightly.

I wouldn’t say Suzuki is worthy of moving up in the draft, not since McMichael should still be on the board. But if the Islanders like Suzuki that much, they might want to think about the possibility someone swoops in to take him before they can.

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