Why NY Islanders' Cole Eiserman remains one of hockey's most fascinating prospects

Cole Eiserman has never lacked for goals. The question has always been everything else.

That's what makes the New York Islanders prospect one of the NHL's most fascinating young players, according to The Athletic's Scott Wheeler, who ranked Eiserman No. 72 on his annual Top 100 prospects list. While Wheeler sees the potential for the 2024 first-round pick to become an elite goal scorer, he believes the next two years of Eiserman's development will determine whether he reaches that ceiling.

Wheeler praised the winger's offensive gifts, writing that "his puck skill, quick release, shot variety — he can rip it in motion or standing still, and he'll make goalies guess wrong in alone because of how fast his hands are" Those tools have made Eiserman one of hockey's most dangerous natural finishers, but Wheeler also believes they have contributed to some of the weaknesses in his game.

"But how easy that part of the game has always been for him has also created some bad habits," Wheeler wrote. Wheeler added that Eiserman can be a little careless and selfish with the puck despite having good vision and can sometimes force shots when the opportunity isn't there. This is why, as much as Eiserman has intrigued the scouting community, he can sometimes frustrate them as well.

Even with those concerns, Wheeler believes the reward could far outweigh the risk.

"It's so hard to find goal scorers like him outside of the very top of the draft," said Wheeler. "He has work to do still in other areas, and there's some risk that it doesn't work long-term. But he also often looks to me like he's capable of becoming a 30-goal winger and PP1 focal point, if a flawed one."

Ultimately, Wheeler believes Eiserman's transition to professional hockey will be one of the most compelling prospect stories in the league.

"He's a complicated player and person, though I think he has been overanalyzed as well. His next couple of years are going to be fascinating to track as he makes the transition to pro."

For the Islanders, they'll be watching every step of that journey, hoping the elite scorer ultimately develops into the complete player Wheeler and others believe is still within reach.

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