New York Islanders Centers to Target at 2019 NHL Draft 2.0

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DALLAS, TX – JUNE 22: Noah Dobson poses after being selected twelfth overall by 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) /

Alex Newhook

The first two players on the list should be available to the New York Islanders when they pick at 23. Alex Newhook might not be, but I’d say he’s worth moving up a few spaces to take.

The young center scored 102 points in a single season for the Victoria Grizzlies. He outscored the second top scorer in the league by 18 points.

He’s got skill, speed, and he can put up points. What better in today’s NHL than a center that can do all three? Steve Kourianos truly paints a mouth-watering picture for Newhook:

"Gifted offensive force with blinding speed, an advanced brain and phenomenal puck skills… Newhook is a natural center who is quick, decisive and deadly in open ice. He always has played on a top line and top power-play unit, and watching him stickhandle around defenders with ease reveals an adversary opposing coaches are definitely fearful of."

So where does Newhook rank in the draft?

Bob McKenzie: 20th (from January)
DraftSite: 18th
HockeyProspects: 16th
Tankathon: 14th

He could fall anywhere from the top half to 20th overall, just outside of the Islanders reach. I’d love nothing more than to see this speedy winger terrorize defenders after Mathew Barzal already took them out for a spin.

If the Islanders value this player, perhaps moving up in the draft is something to look at.