Islanders: 3 prospects with best chance of making team from camp

Samuel Bolduc

Why they could make the team…

Samuel Bolduc had one heck of a start to his professional hockey career last season. He had a starring role for the Bridgeport (then) Sound Tigers. In a full 24-game season, Bolduc put up an impressive six goals and 14 points.

Keep in mind that Bridgeport was one of the two worst AHL teams last season. For most of the year, they were the worst. Bolduc was the only positive story about the team.

He’s big at 6’4″ and 210lbs, strong, can play big minutes, has a wicked slap-shot and can clearly hold his own in the pros. Just like Aho and Salo, the Islanders like what Bolduc has to offer.

Why they won’t make the team…

The one downside to Bolduc’s chances is his skating. He isn’t exactly fast nor is he a particularly smooth skater. To put it lightly, he still has some mechanical issues to work out with his skating. He isn’t a puck mover, or at least he won’t step into the NHL tomorrow and become the teams primary puck mover. That’s not the strength of his game.

He’s also not really experienced. Last year was his first and only year in the pros. And it wasn’t a very long year. Sure, 14 points in 24 games as an AHL rookie is impressive, but that’s a small sample size to pull from.

If he doesn’t make the squad it due to either his skating or lack of experience, or both.

No Forwards?

Maybe you’ve gone through this list and thought: “why didn’t a forward make the cut?”

And well, it’s the same reason a goalie didn’t make the cut either. First, there aren’t any opening on the four lines nor ar there any opening between the pipes.

Line 1: Lee-Barzal-Palmieri
Line 2: Beauvillier-Nelson-Bailey
Line 3: Parise-Pageau-Wahlstrom
LIne 4: Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck

Goalies: Varlamov-Sorokin

Second, there aren’t any forwards (or goalies) in the system that are strong enough to usurp a veteran. Look at those lines and the goalie duo, now think of the prospect pool and try to think of a player that can take a spot from one of those vets. I can’t. I really can’t.

Say what you will about Kieffer Bellows, but he is certainly on the periphery here.