Islanders forward prospect Ruslan Iskhakov will make his NHL debut tonight.
Islanders forward prospect Ruslan Iskhakov will make his NHL debut tonight.
EAST MEADOW, NY -- New York Islanders prospect Ruslan Iskhakov will be making his NHL debut against the Pittsburgh Penguins in their regular-season finale on Wednesday night.
With the Islanders not playing for anything on Wednesday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins clinching the third seed on Monday night against the New Jersey Devils, they're giving their 2018 second-round pick a look.
He was not present at the Islanders' morning skate, but he'll likely skate alongside Anders Lee and Jean-Gabriel Pageau on the third line.
Iskhakov, 23, was an AHL All-Star for the second straight year, with his 18 goals and 32 assists, along with his 50 points leading all Bridgeport players this season.
The pending restricted free agent has done everything he could since joining the organization for the 2022-23 season to earn a call-up, and now he will get a glorious shot to show his worth.
Rumors have been swirling about Iskhakov and his future with the Islanders, given the lack of a chance at the NHL level.
The Hockey News spoke to his agent, Dan Milstein, a few months back to get some clarity on the situation.
Iskhakov is a shifty forward who has strong hands, which allow him to score highlight-reel goals rather often.
We will see if he can put on a show against the Penguins in an effort to prove, in just one game, that he can be part of this team's future.