Islanders: Three prospects with eyes on NHL spots

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Islanders fans are all focused on bringing in top-quality players to the roster. And rightfully so. The New York Islanders have needed an influx of top-quality talent for a few years now.

Remember when Barry Trotz said his team needed more "pop upfront"? That was after the 2018-19 season. A full three off-seasons ago. And that need is still there. So again, the focus is on top-end players for a good reason.

But we can't lose sight of the possibility of bringing in younger players from the prospect pool.

These players are signed to cheap deals but ready to have a much larger impact in the pros than their payout reflects. Something the Isles will need to add alongside bringing in some higher-priced vets.

Even after, hopefully, bringing in some top-end talent to upgrade the playing roster, there should be an opening or two on the team for younger players to fill. So who are those younger players that are at the stage of their careers where they're seemingly ready to take the next step in their career; push for an NHL roster spot.

Here are three guys that I'm sure could take a step up into an NHL role in 2022-23 from within the Islanders prospect pool.

New York Islanders v New York Rangers / Bruce Bennett/GettyImages

Simon Holmstrom

Why he deserves a look
This year was his third season in North America. After being a surprise first-round selection by the Islanders in 2019, Holmstrom immediately made the jump to North America.

And this season was his best one yet. In terms of production, Holmstrom scored 12 goals and 43 points in 68 games. His previous career-high was 15 points in 46 games. That's double his production rate in either of his first two seasons in North America.

Beyond the production, the game just slowed down for Simon Holmstrom in 21-22. And with that, his strong Hockey IQ was able to take over. Holmstrom wasn't a dominant player in the AHL, but he was a strong player for the Bridgeport Islanders in all three zones.

That's the Holmstrom the Islanders were hoping would show up when they drafted him 24th overall. He's ready to get a look at the next level.

Why he might not get it

When I say "get a look" I don't mean he deserves an NHL spot. But after Holmstrom's season in 2021-22, it's time for the Islanders to see if he's got enough to play at the NHL level.

We know the Islanders play a style of game that doesn't lend itself well to mistakes. The margin for error is so thin that any mistake could tip the game negatively for the Isles. Holmstrom isn't yet a complete player and so the Isles might see that he needs another year before he's ready.

New York Islanders v Philadelphia Flyers / Tim Nwachukwu/GettyImages

Aatu Räty

Why he deserves a look
Aatu Räty is without question, the best player in the Islanders prospect pool. No matter how you look at it. If you're using analytics Räty's NHLe (NHL expected) was well above any other prospect in the pool. If you use an eye test, Räty's game was better than any other. He was the top guy and there was no one else even close to the Islanders 2021 second-round pick.

His incredible year under the tutelage of former NHLer (and Liiga 2022 coach of the year) Olli Jokinen with Finnish side Jukurit opened a number of eyes. He went from a long-shot at the draft to a blue-chip in a single season. And by that merit alone he's probably going to get a shot to prove himself at the NHL level.

It's probably only going to be that nine-game sample the Isles can give him without burning a year of his ELC. But look, that's much more than we thought would happen when he was drafted 52nd overall. And if Räty can show off in those nine games, he might just make it stick.

Why he might not get it
He plays center. The center position is set for the Islanders. From Mathew Barzal on line one to Casey Cizikas on line four and then Brock Nelson and Jean-Gabriel Pageau between them. Again, the Islanders are set down the middle.

Sure, the Islanders could always play Räty on the wing, but that's not the key to his game. Räty is a center, playing him on the wing isn't a good way to get the best out of him.

He's also playing for Lou Lamoriello. Lou is of the mind that there is no such thing as bringing up a prospect late, but there is such a thing as bringing one up early. So we might just see Räty play a full year with the Bridgeport Islanders regardless of how strong his training camp might be and who he outplays.

Minnesota Wild v New York Islanders / Steven Ryan/GettyImages

Robin Salo

Why he deserves a look
He's the best defensive prospect in the Islanders pool. And it's not particularly close. The 23-year-old had a good first year in North America between the NHL Islanders and the AHL ones.

His ability to headman the puck out of the D-zone and into the O-zone is unmatched in the prospect pool. Only Noah Dobson is at his level when it comes to puck movement in the entire organization. Salo brings a much-needed skill to the Islanders squad that is desperately needed in 2022-23.

His game isn't perfect but rarely is a 23-year-old a complete player.

Why he might not get it
The only reason he doesn't get into the squad to start the year is an epically bad training camp. Like he forgets how to skate, bad. That's how sure I am Salo makes the islanders squad next year.

Honorable Mention

Otto Koivula: The 2016 fourth-round pick had a good year at the AHL level, but it seems like when he makes the jump to the NHL he just doesn't stand out. Perhaps new head coach Lane Lambert sees something in Koivula's game that Barry Trotz didn't see. Perhaps the opportunity that Koivula needed to get up to the NHL was a change behind the bench.

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