Islanders prospects report: Focus on last five draft classes

2019

Simon Holmstrom (AHL |19yo)
Season stats: 3GP, 1A
First-round (23 OVR)

Holmstrom is in his second season in North America. When I spoke to Team Sweden coach Tomas Monten, I asked him about the instability in Holmstrom’s first post-draft year that saw him play in the AHL, in Sweden with Vita Hasten, and then with Team Sweden in Edmonton:

"Simon is the kind of guy who feels good in being in one spot, getting to work and know a coach, getting into the system and building checmistry."

Having another season under Thompson should help accelerate Holmstrom’s development.

Samuel Bolduc (AHL | 20yo)
Season stats: 3GP, 1G, 1A
Second-round pick (57 OVR)

What a start to his pro career. Bolduc already has two points in his first three games at the AHL level. With his rise, and the addition of Robin Salo next year it would stand to reason that someone like Sebastian Aho could be expendable at the trade deadline to either acquire NHL talent or move one of the Islanders undesirable contracts.

Reece Newkirk (Melville Millionaires/Portland Winterhawks | 19yo)
Season stats: 6GP, 4G, 8A, 12pts
Fifth-round pick (147 OVR)

Newkirk hasn’t played in a while and I know he’s chomping at the bit to return to the ice. But that might not happen till March. The five US teams in the WHL are scheduled to begin their 2021 season on March 19th. So Newkirk still has a month to wait. Rough.

Felix Newkirk (AHL | 21yo)
Season stats: 2GP, 1A
Sixth-round pick (178 OVR)

I’m not sure what to say about Bibeau. He has two games under his belt at the AHL level now and even has a point to his name. But I wouldn’t say he was noticeable in those two games. That will certainly change with more game time. I think an important stat to follow this year in the AHL might just be games played. How many of those 24 games will Bibeau factor in will say how he compares to the rest of the team.

Cole Coskey (AHL | 21yo)
Season stats: 1GP, 1G
Seventh-round pick (209 OVR)

I liked Coskey’s play in his first game. His first pro goal was a well-worked effort to pick up the puck and drive to the slot for a good scoring opportunity. But, just like with Bibeau, we’ll see how much playing time he ends up with.