Islanders pleased with prospects development who could be theft of draft

We've spent a lot of time talking about New York Islanders prospect William Dufour. The 2020 fifth-rounder had an epic season in 2021-22. With 56 goals and 116 points, he was one of the better players in the QMJHL and earned the league's MVP honors.

As fans, we've all seen the numbers Dufour put up and we're all excited about what he could become. But we aren't the decision-makers. We aren't the Islanders. What we say or think doesn't matter. So what do the Isles think about him, his season, and his potential?

New York Islanders Islanders pleased with prospects development

Playing in the CHL's Memorial Cup with the Saint John Sea Dogs Dufour has kept on doing what he's done all year; score goals. He's got goals in back-to-back games as Saint John sits at the top of the standings with four points through two days of play.

After Saint John's OT loss to Edmonton in their second game of the Memorial Cup Tournament, Le Journal du Québec's Kevin Dube caught up with Islanders Quebec scout Mario Saraceno who had some excellent things to say about Dufour:

""It would be difficult to be happier with his progress," [...] "He could make us look good," [...] "Our development team works very hard with all our young people, including William. What we like is that he still has room to strengthen himself. In addition, I found that he had improved his skating considerably this year.""

- Mario Saraceno (Islanders Quebec scout)

This bit from Saraceno mimics what most of us have said about William Dufour this year. His insanely productive season has made us all get pretty excited about Dufour. And what that means going forward.

Saraceno went a bit further and even stated Dufour could be a theft at the draft for being selected in the fifth round.

He still has to prove he can play in the pros, but to be at this point with a fifth-round pick is exciting. And it's clear fans aren't the only ones excited about him. People within the team are excited as well.