With Zach Parise still deciding on his future and Alexander Romanov rehabbing an injury, there are potentially two openings on the New York Islanders roster. Here are five surprise dark horses to make the club.
With Zach Parise still deciding on his future and Alexander Romanov rehabbing an injury, there are potentially two openings on the New York Islanders roster. Here are five surprise dark horses to make the club.
Were it not for a rehabbing defenseman, Alexander Romanov, and a waiting-in-the-wings Zach Parise, there hardly would be an inch for any aspiring New York Islanders player to squeeze through at training camp.
But reality tells us that there now is at least room for one backliner to make varsity as well on the left wing; at least until -- or if -- Parise returns.
This brings me to the "Iffy" part of the equation: the five surprise-dark horses who might impress the high command at camp and crack the starting lineup.
WILLIAM DUFOUR, RIGHT WING:
There's plenty of beef on this prospect, who The Hockey News Yearbook ranks as the Isles top prospect. Considering that he was selected 152 overall in 2020, he's sped quickly up the Ladder To The NHL. Size makes him hard to handle on the forecheck, while goalkeepers rate Willie as a solid scorer.
READ MORE: William Dufour 'Ready' For Second Camp With Islanders
SAMUEL BOLDUC, DEFENSE:
Seeing is believing, and The Maven has seen enough of this 6-4 skating mastodon to predict that he'll make the big club out of camp. Experience last season will go a long way to confirm that he learns well. All things considered -- especially the bulk part -- he moves well for his size. Romanov's absence is Bolduc's opportunity.
READ MORE: Islanders Ink Bolduc to 2-Year Extension, What He Showed in Year 1
RUSLAN ISKHAKOV:
Size always is a consideration when a player arrives at 5-8 or under, except that the likes of tiny Hall of Famer Henri Richard proved that talent is the ultimate barometer. Iskhakov -- from the moment he stepped on North American ice -- has proven that his dipsy-doodling up and down the pond -- not to mention his playmaking ability -- deems him one to watch. The rip-roarin' Russian could be the biggest surprise-to-the-bigs in camp.
READ MORE: Former Bridgeport Islanders Terry Provides Insight on Iskhakov
ROBIN SALO:
A distant eighth on the Orange and Blue defense depth chart does not mean he's a goner. That's hardly the case. But for Robbie to make the varsity, he'll need to beat the odds. And that means acing out sixth-rated Sebastian Aho. Right now, the latter has proven more NHL-ready and certainly has the minutes to back him up. That said, they didn't invent the word "surprise" for nothing. In other words, it's up to you, Robin Salo, Robin Salo!
READ MORE: Just How Good is the Islanders Defense?
MATTHEW MAGGIO:
Granted that -- according to hockey geography -- it's a long way from the Windsor Junior Spitfires to UBS Arena in Elmont, Long Island. But every September -- in virtually every training camp -- there's one longer than a long shot. In this case, the Junior Spitfires lamplighter most likely will wind up in AHL Bridgeport, and there's nothing wrong with that. Then again, they didn't invent the word long shot for nothing, either!
READ MORE: Motivated Matthew Maggio Makes Bold Statement to Islanders