Islanders: Ranking last 10 first rounders from worst to best

Oliver Wahlstrom | 2018 11th Overall

The Islanders couldn't have made a better selection than Oliver Wahlstrom. Maybe Joel Farabee, but that would still be a stretch to suggest.

And look, Wahlstrom has shown a lot of quality in his 126 NHL games. Yes, this was a down year for him but with a new coach could come a new lease on life in the NHL. And that might be all it takes for Wahlstrom to hit the highs we know he's capable of.

What is that high exactly? It's a top line winger who should score 30 goals a year at the NHL level.

Ryan Pulock | 2013 15th Overall

Like Wahlstrom, it took a while for Pulock to hit the highs we knew he was capable of. But now in 2022, the 15th overall pick in 2013 has become a clear top-pair defenseman.

Pulock's production has slowed down in recent years, but he's not at an age where he can't get back to what he used to be. And while the production is a bit lower his impact on the game hasn't waned. He's still an elite defensive player who can shut down the opponent's best players night in and night out.