On Thursday, top college free agent and former Quinnipiac forward Collin Graf decided to begin his professional career with the bottom-feeding San Jose Sharks.
On Thursday, top college free agent and former Quinnipiac forward Collin Graf decided to begin his professional career with the bottom-feeding San Jose Sharks.
On Thursday, top college free agent and former Quinnipiac forward Collin Graf decided to begin his professional career with the bottom-feeding San Jose Sharks.
The 21-year-old recorded 22 goals with 27 assists for 49 points in 34 games, with their season ending on March 31 after they fell 5-4 to Boston College in overtime in the Regional Finals.
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Immediately, the NHL world was on "Graf Watch," as the talented center could essentially choose whichever NHL team he wanted.
Being a Massachusetts native, there was a strong possibility he'd land with the Boston Bruins, with reports saying that he preferred to be in the East. The New York Rangers were another team that insiders speculated could be a fit.
But Graf ultimately chose the worst team in the NHL.
There's a reason, and it isn't rocket science: the Sharks offered Graf the quickest path to the NHL.
We do not know if the New York Islanders were on Graf's radar, but they could not offer Graf the opportunity that the Sharks have.
Many teams couldn't offer what the Sharks have.
But Graf, going on the path of least resistance, should send a message to the Islanders.
If Graf had joined New York, a team bordering a playoff spot, he would be joining the Bridgeport Islanders of the American Hockey League.
While we could see roster turnover this summer, more so if the Islanders miss the playoffs for the second time in three years, Graf isn't guaranteed an NHL starting job.
With the Islanders having five centers rostered, three with contracts that hold elevated annual values, creating a spot for Graf would have been tough.
Graf could have and still could be moved to the wing, a positional switch that happens rather often.
But, given how the Islanders have failed to develop their young players and find opportunities for them, it isn't a ringing endorsement for a top-flight college free agent.
As you read this story, rumors are circulating that pending restricted free agent forward Ruslan Iskhakov, the 23-year-old magician whom the Islanders drafted in the second round (No. 43) of the 2018 NHL Draft, may decide to play in the KHL in 2024-25.
In his first two years with the organization, he was named an AHL All-Star. He's leading Bridgeport with 17 goals, 29 assists, and 46 points in 65 games but has yet to get an opportunity at the NHL level.
And there are justifiable reasons why he hasn't been recalled, given that he is a potential top-six talent and doesn't possess the necessary skills away from the puck to play a bottom-six NHL role.
But the Islanders also don't have room in the top six for him.
Many may believe he would be an upgrade over Pierre Engvall, whom they inked to a seven-year extension worth $21 million this past summer; Anders Lee, who has shown to be more of a bottom-six forward at this point; and Casey Cizikas, who is currently playing on the top line alongside Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal.
But, what matters is the thoughts of head coach Patrick Roy and general manager Lou Lamoriello.
Outside of Iskhakov and those rumors, former Islanders forward Arnaud Durandeau, whom the team selected in the eighth round (No. 165) of the 2017 NHL Draft, didn't make the team out of training camp after showing well in four NHL games last season.
He was dealt to the New Jersey Devils in a prospect swap early this season, with New York acquiring forward Tyce Thompson in return.
In conversations with Durandeau during camp, it was abundantly clear that he believed he should be in the NHL, whether with the Islanders or elsewhere.
The positive for the Islanders is that there are college players that have joined the team.
The Bridgeport Islanders have offered Amateur Tryouts and come to terms with Arizona State forward Matt Kopperud, Providence College defenseman Cam McDonald, and Ohio State forward Cam Thiesing.
Their most significant move was 2020 fourth-round pick (No. 121) forward Alex Jefferies agreeing to terms on an ATO.
He is expected to sign his entry-level contract before the club loses his rights (Aug. 15 deadline).
Because of the lack of an NHL path for young Islanders in the system, given the veterans under contract, it was a tad bit shocking that Jefferies did decide to come aboard. He could have waited and signed somewhere that offered him a quick shot at climbing the depth charts.
So, despite a lack of a prospect pool and a lack of opportunity, college players are signing with the organization, none more important for the Islanders than Jefferies.
Although Jefferies could become a legitimate top-six NHL talent, until the Islanders show the hockey world that they can develop their players and give their young players opportunities at the NHL level, the top college names will be deterred from coming.
That's just how it is.
