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Islanders Top 25 Under 25: Mathew Barzal reigns supreme

ByMichel Anderson|
TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 20: Mathew Barzal #13 of the New York Islanders warms up prior to Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Washington Capitals during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 20, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 20: Mathew Barzal #13 of the New York Islanders warms up prior to Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Washington Capitals during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 20, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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New York Islanders prospect Ruslan Iskhakov. Photo property of TPS. Used by permission of Eero Tuominen (TPS Head of Marketing and Communications).

16. Ruslan Iskhakov

Age: 20
League: Liiga
Draft: 43 OVR 2018

I like Ruslan Iskhakov a lot. He might be a tad small for the NHL (5’8″) but I think he’s got the creativity and offensive abilities to shine. With that being said, he isn’t having the strongest start in Finland and that’s why I have him lower on my list. I would imagine as the season progresses Iskhakov may start rising the depth chart.

17. Bobo Carpenter

Age: 24
League: AHL
Draft: N/A

Carpenter had a decent first season in the pros with 12 points in 28 games for the Sound Tigers. A shoulder injury from the previous year limited his playing time in 19-20 so he’ll hope that an injury-free year could push him up the depth charts.

18. Arnaud Durandeau

Age: 21
League: ECHL/AHL
Draft: 165 OVR 2017

Arnaud Durandeau split his time between the ECHL and AHL in 19-20 putting up a combined 16 points in 36 games. With no ECHL this year for Worcester well see what happens to Durandeau who isn’t high on the depth charts. He’ll likely be a fourth-line player for the Sound Tigers in 20-21.

19. Blade Jenkins

Age: 20
League: AHL
Draft: 134 OVR 2018

Good player, even better first name.

With three productive years playing for the Saginaw Spirit, the Islanders signed Jenkins to a three-year ELC in May. He’ll certainly be a depth player for Bridgeport this season. He and Durandeau could likely alternate as the 13th forward for the Sound Tigers.

20. Mitch Vande Sompel

Age: 23
League: AHL
Draft: 82 OVR 2015

Vande Sompel is an alright defender but it’s hard to see him being able to make the jump to the NHL. Sebastian Aho is having a hard enough time getting on the Islanders roster. After missing the year due to injury just getting back on the ice is good enough for Vande Sompel I imagine.

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