Islanders prospects report: Focus on last five draft classes

In this week’s prospect report I’ve gone a bit deeper than usual and focused on every player drafted by the New York Islanders since 2016 that isn’t playing in the NHL.

For this week’s prospect review I thought I could look at what’s in the New York Islanders system by draft year. I didn’t come up with this is idea independently, I can thank this Twitter user for the suggestion that lead to this week’s focus.

So here’s a look at the last five years of the Islanders draft and the players they selected. Where are they now, what are they doing, and how do they factor in the Islanders system?

I’m only looking at prospects so guys who are in the NHL aren’t going to factor here. (That includes players on the taxi squad.) Mainly, because you and the casual fan likely know about them already. This is about the players you might not know much about. (I’ve also included the player’s age next to their current team.)

Prospect report from the New York Islanders last five drafts

2016

Anatoly Golyshev (Avtomobilist | 26yo)
Season stats: 47GP, 12G, 15A, 27pts
Fourth-round pick (95 OVR)

I know at 26 (his birthday was two days ago) it doesn’t seem like he’ll be coming over. But just last year he said he was. With COVID I’m not sure how that changes things. I know he’s currently contemplating his future with the Islanders but hasn’t come to decision yet. With his KHL side ready for the playoffs I don’t imagine he’ll be ready to talk about that soon.

Otto Koivula (AHL | 22yo)
Season stats: 1GP
Fourth-round pick (120 OVR)

In his first game back in the AHL he was playing on the top line. He’s on the cusp of making the Islanders squad, if not for the fourth-line being as strong as it is he’d certainly be playing with the Isles right now.

Collin Adams (UND | 22yo)
Season stats: 20GP, 7G, 12A, 19pts
Sixth-round pick (170 OVR)

It’s his fourth year of collegiate hockey and is on pace to have yet another solid year for the top ranks college side in the nation. With little center depth, the Islanders will certainly sign him once his season is over. If not he’s headed towards free agency.

Nick Pastujov (AHL | 23yo)
Season stats: N/A
Seventh-round pick (193 OVR)

He hasn’t yet played for the Sound Tigers this season. Which says a lot. He’d certainly be in the ECHL if the Railers were playing.