5 Players Islanders Spoke to at 2023 NHL Draft Combine

Here are five players that the New York Islanders spoke to at the 2023 NHL Draft Combine, per Russ Cohen of Sportology.

In a tad over two weeks, the New York Islanders and the rest of the NHL franchises take to Nashville for the 2023 NHL Draft. 

The Islanders do not have a first or third-round selection at the draft due to the Bo Horvat trade from this past season and the Andrew Ladd trade from the summer of 2021.

The Islanders will select at No. 49, 81, 113, 145, 177, and 209.

Last week up in Buffalo, the NHL held their draft combine, where draft-eligible players were tasked with showing off their physical abilities, intelligence, hockey IQ, and creativity when they met with team representatives.

"Our scouts feel like this is a deep draft," Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello said last Tuesday. "You never know. Chris (Lamoriello) and six of our scouts are at the combine right now doing all the interviews..."

The Islanders are toward the bottom of the prospect team rankings seemingly every year. There's a need for right-shot defensemen, as well as speedy, scoring wingers. 

So, who did the Islanders speak to up in Buffalo?

Although not a complete list, Russ Cohen of Sportology shared which players spoke to the Islanders. Also included is Tony Ferrari's analysis of each player from his final mock draft for The Hockey News. 

Let's dive in:

Position: Center/Winger

Handiness: Right

Age: 18

Height/Weight: 6'3, 212 lbs

Nationality: American, from Minnesota

Stats: 5 goals, 7 assists, in 33 games played at the University of Wisconsin

Strengths: Uses size effectively to protect the puck, strong shot off the rush, could be a good off-puck winger

Weaknesses: Lacks lateral agility and needs to work on physicality away from the puck

The Hockey News Ranking: 45th

Position: Center

Handiness: Right

Age: 18

Height/Weight: 5'9, 179 lbs

Nationality: American, from Minnesota

Stats: 36 goals, 25 assists, 62 games for Youngstown Phantoms, USHL; committed to the University of Wisconsin

Strengths: Strong hand-eye coordination, quick release, strong net-front presence despite size

Weaknesses: Needs to engage on the defensive end more

The Hockey News Ranking: 28th

Position: Defense

Handiness: Right

Age: 18

Height/Weight: 6'2, 198 lbs

Nationality: Slovakia

Stats: 5 goals, 13 assists, 46 games for Sioux Falls Stampede. USHL; committed to Michigan State University

Strengths: Good shot, tape-to-tape passer, strong gap control, aggressive checking

Weaknesses: Needs to be more patient with puck in own zone, take more shots

The Hockey News Ranking: 60th

Position: Center

Handiness: Right

Age: 18

Nationality: Canada

Height/Weight: 6'1, 185 lbs

Stats: 33 goals, 45 assists in 78 games for Brandon Wheat Kings "C", OHL

Strengths: Excellent skater through the neutral zone, finds open space, a quick-strike attacker

Weaknesses: Lacks dynamism, plays a safe game

The Hockey News Ranking: 30th

Position: Defense

Handiness: Left

Age: 18

Height/Weight: 5'11, 187 lbs

Nationality: American, from Illinois

Stats: 3 goals, 35 assists in 56 games with Youngstown Phantoms, USHL; committed to the University of North Dakota

Strengths: Can play in any situation, not afraid to shoot, can escape situations

Weaknesses: Decision-making needs to be sharper

The Hockey News ranking: 87th