Islanders sign talented center prospect Collin Adams

Signing watch over! Collin Adams has signed a two-year two-way deal with the New York Islanders (officially) today. The team announced the news via their website and social media that the University of North Dakota product had put pen to paper on a deal. (He could have become a free agent on August 15.)

For those wondering how the Islanders got this one done while holding 50 contracts (which is the maximum under the CBA), this deal is only set to start in 2021-22. Not this year. So it doesn’t count.

There’s no word yet if Adams will sign an ATO (AHL tryout) to play with Bridgeport for the remainder of this season. The Sound Tigers only have eight games remaining on their 2021 regular-season schedule. But with the contract signed, we know he’ll be there next year.

New York Islanders sign Collin Adams to two-year ELC

So who is Collin Adams? Well, as the title suggests, he’s a talented centerman. The 2016 sixth-round pick played through his four years of college hockey with the University of North Dakota and got progressively better year-over-year.

This year, playing on the Fighting Hawks top line, Adams set a career-high in goals (14) and points (34). Remember this year was shortened due to the pandemic. He scored six more points in six fewer games than his previous career-high (12 goals and 28 points from last year).

He was tied for sixth in scoring for all college-level players this season.

Adams might not be the biggest (he stands 5’9″) but he’s a strong and smart player. Oh and he’s got some wheels too.

https://twitter.com/UNDinsider/status/1339404880096751616

He’s proven he’s ready to go pro. The centerman is a nice talent to add to a Sound Tigers team that desperately needs it. Can he step into the AHL and be an impactful player? I don’t see why not.

Based on my prospect rankings I have him ranked 15th on the squad. He ranks higher than Blade Jenkins and one behind Kyle MacLean, both currently play in the AHL. Adams is ready for the next level.

Is the NHL in the cards for him? It’s still early, but there’s a lot to like from Adams game that could easily translate to the NHL. At least as a bottom-six player. But again, it’s early so let’s see how things go in his first year of pro hockey first.