New York Islanders Prospects Don’t Stand Out At Summer Showcase

Four New York Islanders prospects took part in the 2019 World Junior Summer Showcase. Neither of them was particularly good.

Four of the New York Islanders prospects suited up for Team USA at the 2019 World Junior Summer Showcase. Forwards Oliver Wahlstrom, and Jacob Pivonka (Notre Dame) as well as defensemen Bode Wilde and Christian Krygier (Michigan State).

All four were hungry to prove what they had on an international stage. But for Wahlstrom and Wilde, they could have used the platform to serve notice to the New York Islanders a month before training camp is set to open.

They didn’t.

Oliver Wahlstrom

Wahlstrom came back from a training stint in Sweden 13 pounds lighter. He’s feeling sharper, quicker, and more dialed in. Even The Athletic’s Corey Pronman (subscription required) thought Wahlstrom was back to his old self, and not the Boston College version.

That sounds great, but in two games with Team USA, Wahlstrom put up a single goal.

It’s a nice power-play goal for Wahlstrom, but I was expecting him to play an important role up front for the USA. His nine shots on goal (tied for third on the team) shows he was getting chances. Although only getting one goal doesn’t look great for a player who’s main skill is goal scoring.

He also picked up 18 penalty minutes. Most of that is due to an automatic game-misconduct and minor penalty for head contact.

That shouldn’t hurt him going into training camp. His immediate future is certainly already decided. He’ll spend the season playing in the AHL with Bridgeport.

Bode Wilde

That sums up Bode Wilde’s 2019 Summer Showcase. It wasn’t great. Again, The Athletic’s Cory Pronman stated in a comment that Body Wilde “had a tough week.”

In two games, Wilde put up an assist for the USA. Outside of that low production, Wilde just didn’t look like he fit. That’s why he was the American’s seventh defender.

I doubt that his performance changes anything when it comes to 2019-20 assignments. Wilde is still on a path to the AHL. But like Wahlstrom, I was hoping to see Wilde continue where he left off with that 70 point season with the Saginaw Spirit.

Christian Krygier

In the tune-up games when the US team was split into two teams (blue and white), Christian Krygier had himself a standout game against Finland with thee points. Too bad he didn’t follow that up with anything else.

Krygier played all four games and didn’t register a point. To be fair, Krygier doesn’t produce much ever. He had two points with Michigan State last season. Krygier is more of a shutdown player.

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Jacob Pivonka

Pivonka got an assist in a 6-0 rout of the Swedish team. He was able to generate four shots on goal in a 5-6 loss to team Finland. Pivonka was a depth option for the US down the middle. The centerman could still play a role for Team USA going forward, but for now, it doesn’t look like he’ll be a factor