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NY Islanders prospects: 3 International players having great seasons

These 3 international draft picks will garner our attention next pre-season.

By James Malone |
2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft - Rounds 2-7
2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft - Rounds 2-7 / Jeff Vinnick/GettyImages
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The NY Islanders have had success drafting players from both North America and Europe. As with the other sports leagues, the NHL has broadened its scope to include players mostly from Finland, Russia, Slovakia, and Sweden. In recent years, the Islanders have selected Ilya Sorokin from Russia along with Sebastian Aho and Simon Holmstrom from Sweden. Suffice it to say, the scouting department has done well with their international evaluations of such young players.

The benefit of selecting players from Canada and Europe is their expedited path to the AHL. Most United States-born players attend a 4-year college before signing their entry-level contracts. This has been the case with Anders Lee and Scott Mayfield, not debuting in the AHL until ages 21 and 22. However, players from Canada like Noah Dobson played for Bridgeport and age 19, which is ideal in a salary-cap league. As the Islanders continue to struggle with an aging roster in 2023-24, which players drafted internationally have impressed the organization this season?

1. Isaiah George

The Toronto metropolitan area has handed the Islanders great talent throughout their history. From Oakville, Ontario, left-handed defenseman Isaiah George has developed into the organization's most notable prospect in 2023-24. Selected in the 4th round of the 2022 draft, George has displayed a defensive mindset that enhances his ability to read, react, and join the rush at ease. A physical player, George makes it difficult for opposing forwards to crowd the net and create open scoring opportunities. Though his physicality has put him in the penalty box quite often, the Islanders are confident George will outgrow these mistakes as he advances through the amateur level.

After spending 2 seasons with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League, George signed an entry-level contract with the Islanders and participated in pre-season action. Lane Lambert's impression of George was "He's confident, even from rookie camp. He passes the puck hard. He's young, but he doesn't necessarily play to his age. He seems to be pretty seasoned". George also earned accolades from veteran players like Ryan Pulock, as he described the defenseman as "Looks solid. I think he's got good poise, offensively and defensively".

While George did not make the opening night roster, he returned to OHL action and has posted impressive numbers. In 46 games, he has 5 goals and 7 assists. George may not be an offensive-minded defenseman, but the Islanders are in desperate need of another hard forechecker in protection of Sorokin. George has expressed modeling his game after Adam Pelech for the way he clears the zone and creates turnovers. If he can become Pelech, the Islanders will have found a steal in the 4th-round.

2. Justin Gill

It's rare for a player of this stature to become draft-eligible at such an advanced age. Selected in the 5th round of the 2023 draft, centerman Justin Gill has done nothing but produce great offensive numbers his entire amateur career. He is described as a forward who can advance the puck through the neutral zone and has great anticipation for teammates rushing toward the net. Gill has been credited for creating turnovers and intercepting plays, making him an ideal defensive-minded forward. However, Gill's ability to create open space and force odd-man rushes may move him to the left-wing position as a professional.

Gill has spent his entire amateur career playing in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League. During his teenage years, he played for the Charlottetown Islanders before moving to the Sherbrooke Phoenix. In his first full season for the Phoenix in 2021-22, Gill scored 20 goals and 26 assists through 68 games. Though these statistics are fantastic, all of his scoring totals doubled the following season with 44 goals and 49 assists including 12 points in 14 playoff games.

Gill has since moved on to the Baie-Comeau Drakkar, where he has 29 goals and 41 assists through 47 games this season. The only alarming statistic for Gill is his 44 penalty infraction minutes. Otherwise, the 21-year-old is ready for his AHL debut if he were to sign his entry-level contract before training camp 2024. With the Islanders' decision to move on from Aatu Raty as their top centerman in Bridgeport last season, the tandem of Ruslan Ishakov and Gill will be something to watch as the pre-season unfolds.

3. Alexander Ljungkrantz

The Swedish Hockey League has been kind to the Islanders, sending the team Aho and Holmstrom the past few seasons. From Gavle, Sweden, left-winger Alexander Ljungkrantz is having his first breakout season. He is described as a simple passer who has a strong forecheck along the boards, especially in front of the net. Ljungkrantz has great speed and awareness off the puck, which allows him to clear the defensive zone. Not known for his offense in the past, Ljungkrantz has developed his wrist shot to become more powerful. Similar to Cal Clutterbuck, Ljungkrantz is known for his defense and delivering hits when it matters most.

Ljungkrantz's numbers have not been impressive throughout his amateur career. In 2021-22, Ljungkrantz posted just 5 goals and 5 assists through 34 games for the HC Vita Hasten. Moving to the Brynas IS of the Swedish Hockey League in 2022-23 did not help propel his goal-scoring numbers, having just 11 points through 39 games. Even though Ljungkrantz failed to find his groove offensively, he was still credited for his defensive attributes, particularly on the penalty kill.

In 2023-24, Ljungkrantz found the wrist shot that made Lamoriello select him in the 3rd round of the 2020 draft. Playing 39 games for the Almtuna IS, Ljungkrantz has 18 goals and 11 assists. He has since been loaned back to the Swedish Hockey League to play for the Farjestad BK, where he is scoreless through 3 games. It's important to note that other NHL Swedish Hockey players have come to the United States with underwhelming offensive numbers but performed well here, including Holmstrom. Set to turn 22 years old later in February, Ljungkrantz will have the opportunity to sign his entry-level contract where he can develop his offensive game further in Bridgeport. Long-term, Ljungkrantz profiles to become Clutterbuck's duplicate: a bottom-six defensive-minded forward and an ideal penalty-killer, two areas the Islanders have struggled in this season.

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