Islanders: Can Bode Wilde make the jump this upcoming season?

As of right now, the New York Islanders do not have the same defensive depth as last season. Can a young prospect make the jump and contribute this season?

A lot of change has happened to the New York Islanders defensive core this offseason. Devon Toews got traded to Colorado, Andy Greene is currently a free agent, and Johnny Boychuk was forced to retire due to an eye injury.

That currently leaves the Islanders with five out of their top eight defensemen from last year. Many people think that either

Thomas Hickey

or

Sebastian Aho

could make a case for themselves and be the sixth and seventh defensemen on the Islanders roster in 20-21. But how about the case for twenty-year-old Bode Wilde?

Steal of a Pick

Wilde was drafted as the 41st overall pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. He was rated as the seventh-best defenseman available in the draft and was supposed to be a first-round pick. Fortunately for the Islanders, teams passed up the opportunity to draft Wilde and the Isles were able to select him with their third pick in the draft, after selecting both Oliver Wahlstrom and Noah Dobson in the first round. At the time of his selection, our own Michel Anderson called Wilde the “Steal of the 2018 Draft.”

After the draft, the 6’4″ Wilde played the entire 2018-2019 campaign with the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League. He finished the year with 19 goals, 51 assists, 38 penalty minutes, and a +28 plus/minus in 62 regular-season games.

In 2019-2020, Wilde started the season in the AHL with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, but after 20 games and two points, he was sent back to the OHL to compete for a title with the Spirit.

Most scouts and people that watch Wilde play say that he is a solid two-way defenseman. After losing Toews, Boychuk, and potentially Greene, the Islanders are definitely in the market for someone who can make a reliable breakout pass and shut down opposing forwards.

Wilde’s style of play does exactly that. Also, in the salary cap situation that the Islanders are in, promoting Wilde saves the Islanders much needed money and cap space. Why look elsewhere, when you can give a top prospect a chance?

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Final Thoughts: I do think that Wilde provides a nice option for the Islanders in the new campaign. He is a young player but has the potential to be a solid NHL d-man for many years to come. With a great training camp, he definitely could earn a roster spot and be a great asset as a sixth or seventh defenseman in the shortened season for the blue and orange.

Isles Country: Do you think we will see Bode Wilde playing with the Islanders this season? Leave your comments below!

*All Stats Provided by Elite Prospects*