The Hockey News caught up with New York Islanders prospect Arnaud Durandeau to get his thoughts on the first two days of training camp.

EAST MEADOW, NY -- New York Islanders prospect Arnaud Durandeau is getting to showcase his skill early on in training camp.

Head coach Lane Lambert has placed the speedy 24-year-old on a line with Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal through the first two skates. 

There's the reason why the second-year head coach went that route. 

"I like his speed, and when he gets an opportunity, he has the ability to score, and he's proven that the last couple of days," Lambert said. 

Durandeau, a former sixth-round pick in 2017, is coming off a career year in Bridgeport, scoring 24 goals with 31 assists in 68 games. 

Due to an injury to Barzal last February, Durandeau was recalled to the NHL for the first time in his career.

Alongside Hudson Fasching, whom he played a lot with in Bridgeport before Fasching was recalled in late November, and Casey Cizikas, Durandeau displayed a strong stick and a keen understanding of where he had to be on the ice in all moments.

He had chances to score through his first four NHL games but could not find the back of the net on nine shots and made his way back to Bridgeport soon after.

"It was a great time. It was a dream come true," Durandeau told The Hockey News. "And now I want to get back there. So, I think I just really am trying to be consistent every day. That's mostly what you got to do. You got to work hard and not just one game and then be off the next game. 

"So, just every game, just skating hard, doing your job and doing what you're good at, and bringing it every game."

Durandeau understands, at this point of his career, that it's do or die with so many other prospects waiting in the wings.

"There's prospects. There's older guys, Everyone's trying to get that NHL job, so I think there's a lot of good young guys, a lot of older guys, PTOs and stuff where everyone's pushing each other," Durandeau told The Hockey News. "And I'm trying to steal a job, and my goal is to make the NHL this year, so I'm very excited."

Skating with Horvat and Barzal has been a learning experience. 

"It's been great. Just two great players," Durandeau said. "I'm just trying to try to do my best for them and just learn the most I can with them, just seeing how they play, how they think, and how they play fast.

"And that's what I want to bring to my game, too."

Barzal wasn't available for a chat following their skate, but Horvat was. 

"He's been great. I mean, he's got so much speed and skill," Horvat said. "Obviously, Barzal has that, too. So, just trying to keep up with those two down the middle has been a challenge. 

"Just trying to get a feel for each other, build chemistry in camp is nice, and hopefully we're gonna stick together."

As an older prospect, Durandeau doesn't need to find his game because he's already done that. The summer months are just about getting quicker and stronger. 

"Every summer, you just want to get better," Durandeau said. "You're gonna get stronger, quicker. I'm not 18 years old anymore. It's just my game. j

"I'm just perfecting my game and just getting stronger and quicker and being in better shape so I can be consistent."

Durandeau, like the rest of the Islanders prospects, will have difficulty getting any NHL action unless there's an injury.

Durandeau's job is to make sure his name is one of the first that comes to Lambert's mind if and when a forward is needed, and so far, he seems to be doing precisely what he has to do through two days of camp.