Islanders Simon Holmstrom puts up multi-point game in Sweden

New York Islanders first-round pick from 2019 is finally on the scoresheet after a slow start to loan spell in native Sweden.

In a 7-2 road win over Vastera, New York Islanders prospect Simon Holmstrom put up a goal and an assist for his first few points during his loan spell back in his native Sweden.

It took some time for Holmstrom’s offense to shine through but talent can only be buried for so long. Eventually, talent finds a way.

On The Board

Holmstrom has been in Sweden for some time now. Since being sent on loan by the New York Islanders, he’s skated in five games prior to Vita Hasten’s meeting with Vastera on Monday.

In those five meetings, Holmstrom put up eleven shots on goal and averaged 15:37 of ice time. But not points. In his most recent outing, he was restricted to shots from areas that are low danger, specifically outside the slot. To get success, he was going to need to break into that slot area.

Versus Vastera, he worked his way into that high danger area and found the back of the net.

How he moved the defender out of the way to clear the slot is some clever thinking from the young man.

Holmstrom would add a primary assist on the game-winning goal for the White Horse early in the third period.

It’s taken some time for Holmstrom to get on the scoresheet in Sweden, but as we’ve seen with Otto Koivula in Finland, sometimes it just takes time to get settled.

Holmstrom has had a pretty wild 2019 and 2020. From getting drafted, to moving to North American (as an 18-year-old), playing with the Sound Tigers, and then going back to Sweden because of the pandemic. He’s been in a constant state of adaptation that won’t end when his loan is over.