NY Islanders Prospect Report: Week of 1/23-1/29

The NY Islanders AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Islanders, have been clawing their way back into the standings recently. At 5-5 over their past ten, the squad is nearing 100% as many players are returning to the lineup following stints with the big club.

Bridgeport is sitting in seventh place in the Atlantic Division with 45 points, tied with three other teams. Like the NHL, the AHL is in their All-Star break, and some time off could be just what the B-Isles need to gear up for a playoff push in the second half of the season.

Currently, Simon Hölmstrom, Hudson Fasching, Aatu Räty, Parker Wotherspoon, and Samuel Bolduc remain in the NHL. Bolduc was called up as the Isles needed a defenseman with an offensive mind since Noah Dobson went down to injury. Set to represent the B-Isles in the AHL all-star game in his hometown of Laval, QC, Bolduc has yet to register a point with the Islanders but is receiving solid minutes and a place on the second power-play unit.

There is a strong possibility that Räty remains with the big club for the remainder of the season as he has surpassed ten games played, activating the first year of his entry-level contract.

Let's take a look at the week that was for some of the Islanders prospects:

Matthew Maggio, Windsor Spitfires, OHL (5th Round, 2022)

We've used nearly every superlative to describe Matthew Maggio's season in the OHL, but it simply is spectacular.

The captain for the Windsor Spitfires added another six points (one goal, five assists) to his tally last week as the team sits atop the OHL's Western Conference.

Leading the league in points with 68, Maggio only sits one back of the league's goal leader Colby Barlow (2023 Draft). Maggio has zero hesitation when firing the puck on net as he is averaging just over five shots a game over his last ten.

Islanders fans have reason to be excited about this kid. Like William Dufour last season, he is taking the league by storm. Though he likely won't be an elite scorer in the NHL, he has shown he has the tools to compete for a spot on the NHL roster in the future.

Ruslan Iskhakov, Bridgeport Islanders, AHL (2nd Round, 2018)

It's been a while since we have mentioned Ruslan Iskhakov's name, as he has struggled to maintain his early season pace.

Over his last 15 games, Iskhakov has only found the back of the net once. In Bridgeport's past ten, he's only recorded points in two games.

Through 40 games, Iskhakov has recorded 31 points ( nine goals, 22 assists) - good enough for third on the B-Isles and tied for third among all AHL rookies. Iskhakov's hot start may have set fans with unlikely expectations of the Moscow native. Though his play has been shaky as of late, Iskhakov is still putting together a solid rookie performance.

Alex Jefferies, Merrimack College, OHL (4th, 2020)

Alex Jefferies and the Merrimack Warriors have been on a skid since reaching the top 10 in the NCAA rankings. Only collecting three wins in their last ten, the Warriors have dropped to 16th in the most recent rankings.

Jefferies continues to be the team's top performer, recording four more points last week in two games. He now has 31 points (ten goals, 21 assists) for the Warriors, ten points clear for the team lead.