Kowalsky Dives Into 3 Islanders Prospects

The New York Islanders prospect pool is not one that has stood out for the right reasons over the last handful of years.But newly-appointed Bridgeport Islanders head coach Rick Kowalsky is rather high on players in the system.

The New York Islanders prospect pool is not one that has stood out for the right reasons over the last handful of years.

But newly-appointed Bridgeport Islanders head coach Rick Kowalsky is rather high on players in the system.

After going undrafted in 2021, Matthew Maggio was selected 142nd overall by the New York Islanders in 2022. 

The 20-year-old came into training camp like a man on a mission. He showed off a tremendously strong hockey IQ and had no issues finding the back of the net.

But don't take my word for it. 

"Well, to be honest with you, he had an unbelievable training camp," Kowalsky said.  "We were really impressed."

I spoke to Maggio seemingly every day of camp, as he was a rather intriguing player. 

Despite a strong showing, the expectation was that he was either going to go to Bridgeport and begin his pro career or head back to the OHL for one final season as an "over-ager" by about three months. 

After heading to Bridgeport's camp following the Islanders, Maggio was sent back to juniors. 

"We were hoping we were going to be able to keep them, but obviously, we made the decision, which was, I think, the right decision, to let him go back and really grow in the OHL.

In his final season with the Windsor Spitfires, serving as their captain, Maggio exploded with 54 goals and 57 assists in 66 games, winning the Red Tilson Award given to the OHL's MVP.

Following Windsor's season, Maggio played three games with Bridgeport 

"He had a great year individually, obviously. Their team had a tough first-round exit there, and then coming back, it's so tough at the end of the year, right?  Because we're fighting for our playoff lives. We're trying to get in, and these kids come in," Kowalsky said. "It's still a big adjustment -- no matter how good of a year they have in junior, college -- you're coming in, you're playing against men. 

"But his speed, his ability to score -- things I saw in training camp -- he wants the puck, he knows where to go on the ice, and he works to get there. And he's a competitive kid. And the biggest thing is he's a good kid.”0

Kowalsky concluded: "He needs to improve some as far as some areas of strength, physically. He's still a young kid and is still developing."

2020 draftee William Dufour, who had a kid's cup of coffee at the NHL level this past year, playing in one game against the Boston Bruins -- a game he should have never played in -- had himself a strong first pro season. 

Let's start with that game. 

Dufour was benched for the final 29 minutes after making a few mistakes leading to goals. He played just 6:48, eight shifts, with no shots on goal before being sent back to down to Bridgeport soon after the final horn. 

"From my standpoint, I wasn't really involved in that," Kowalsky said. "We were happy for him [that he made his NHL debut]."

In 69 games with Bridgeport, the now 21-year-old lit the lamp 21 times with 27 assists. His focus this off-season was likely on his skating, as that's the one thing holding him back from being a future top-six forward in the NHL.

"He had a good year. He's got areas that he needs to improve, but there's a lot of potential," Kowalsky said. "He's big, he can shoot, he can score. He's very good on the power play. He has to work on his quickness, his intensity, and his heaviness on the puck at times. 

"And again, I mean, here's another guy that I think we're all really excited to see in camp and the growth he's made over the summer, and hopefully, he gives himself an opportunity to stick. And if he doesn't, he should certainly be a top player for us in Bridgeport,"

Due to injuries on the backend, 23-year-old Samuel Bolduc quickly climbed the depth charts following a few years in the system.

The former second-round pick in 2019 dealt with injuries and COVID, which stunted his development, but finally healthy, was able to show why the club drafted him when they did. 

In 17 regular season games with New York, Bolduc recorded two goals and an assist. 

He did play in two playoff games with Alexander Romanov hurt, but seemed very overwhelmed. 

For Bridgeport, Bolduc was an All-Star (didn't play because he was up with Islanders), with 10 goals and 25 assists in 56 games.   

"I thought he made big strides this year," Kowalsky said. "I just think confidence, in his ability to defend, I think there's still room to improve. 

Here's the line you guys wanted to hear/read:

"Bolduc's already an NHL puck mover. His ability to shoot the puck quickly and heavy from the point, and I just thought each time he went up the second, I don't know if it was two or three, but he looked more and more comfortable, and I think the Islanders staff...their confidence in him grew."

Like every prospect, there's always room for improvement. 

"He's a big body that, I think, if he plays, gets comfortable playing heavy and being a little harder to play against down low along the walls and in the corners, he's going to establish himself as a regular NHL defensive defenseman because there's a ton of upside with Sam," Kowalsky said. 

"I'm just excited to see how these kids have grown individually over the summer and looking forward to seeing them again at camp."

Besides reading his work, you can listen and watch Stefen Rosner talk New York Islanders hockey on Hockey Night in New York with co-host Sean Cuthbert Sunday nights at 8 PM ET during the season.