Quinn Finley remains the NY Islanders forgotten prospect

The NY Islanders are about to receive an influx of talent within their prospect pool, holding the first overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, and possibly trading back into the top 10 according to recent rumors.

The acquisition of Calum Ritchie, along with drafting Cole Eiserman, was the first step out of the league's prospect pool basement, and in a few weeks, it could be considered among the best in the league.

Quinn Finley is sometimes forgotten among the Islanders prospects

While there are those big-name, first-round picks, expected to be the future of the organization, 2022 third-round pick Quinn Finley has made an argument to be there among the Ritchie's and the Eiserman’s.

Finley, who finished his sophomore season at the University of Wisconsin this year, took the next step in his development towards becoming one of the NCAA’s top forwards. 

In 2022, when the Isles selected Finley 78th overall, it was considered a reach, as he was an undersized forward who needed to mature much more physically in order to take the next step in his development. Now, measuring in at 6’0” and 187 lbs, Finley is built to withstand the physicality of college hockey, as shown last season when he finished with 40 points (20 G, 20 A) in 37 games.

Set to return to Wisconsin for his third year, Finley will likely enter the 2025-26 season as one of the favorites for the Hobey Baker Award, as the nation's top player.

We will likely see Finley in Islanders colors for the first time since 2022, after this year's draft, as Mathieu Darche will hold a prospects development camp.