Islanders Prospects Review – Samuel Bolduc is on Fire

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UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 17: Samuel Bolduc #75 of the New York Islanders skates against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on September 17, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Flyers 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

CHL

Samuel Bolduc – 2019 2nd Round, 57th pick

If you remember the Islanders 2019 training camp, you’ll probably remember Samuel Bolduc. The defenseman impressed in his first professional training camp. Since leaving camp, Bolduc went back to his QMJHL outfit where he’s having an impressive season.

His 14 points in 24 games might not sound like he’s on fire. But the 6’4″ 211lbs blueliner has scored seven points in his last five games. Five of those points are goals. So far so good from the Isles second-round pick from last year. Maybe we see him in the AHL soon.

Reece Newkirk – 2019 5th Round, 147th pick

He’s not short, he stands 5’11” and weighs 180lbs. And he scored 59 points in 68 games for the Portland Winterhawks in his draft year. But for some reason, he fell to the fifth round.

For the sake of perspective, Dillon Hamaliuk was drafted in the second round by San Jose with 26 points in 31 games in the same league as Newkirk. That’s a 57 point pace over 68 games. It’s as if Newkirk fell victim to playing with Cody Glass (69 points in 38 games) and Joachim Blichfeld (114 points in 68 games).

This season, neither are on the team Glass or Blichfeld. Glass is playing with Vegas in the NHL and Blichfeld is playing with the San Jose Barracuda of the AHL. And Newkirk has 26 points in 21 games.

It’s something to keep an eye on because the Isles might have found a diamond in the rough with Newkirk,