It's no secret that the New York Islanders have been engulfed in a youth movement for some time. The recent seasons of low finishes in the standings have inevitably led to some exciting draft picks. Let's take a look at who is working out for them, and who isn't.
Let's not beat around the bush, the first young Islander to look at is the 2009 1st overall pick, John Tavares. Simply a freak in the Ontario Hockey League (amassing 489 points in only 285 total games), most bets were on him to take the top spot at the Draft last July, and he did not disappoint.
Since the Draft Tavares has been in constant effort to prove himself, however he hasn't shown any signs of struggling. This 19-year-old from Mississauga, Ontario, has already posted 9 goals, 10 assists for 19 points in 24 games. Put that alongside a relatively even plus-minus, and you have the early signs of a star to come.
Kyle Okposo, the Islander's first round pick in 2006, 7th overall, is at an important step in his career. After a decent short call up in the spring of 2008, he posted 39 points in 65 games the next season. Now in his junior year, he's only netted 5 goals and 13 points in 23 games, not to mention a plus-minus that's nothing to brag about. For this young squad to find its way into the playoffs, Okposo must step it up.
In 2008, the Islanders selected Josh Bailey in the first round, 9th overall, and was quickly called up to service. As a rookie, Bailey banged in 7 goals and 25 points in 68 games. Nothing spectacular, but his pace this season to surpass those benchmarks, and a significantly improved plus minus (-14 last season, +4 this season) shows the signs of young man finding his way.
No one expected Matt Moulson (Pittsburgh's 9th round choice in 2003) to be on pace for 30-40 goals this season, considering he had only 6 previously in his career. Eleven goals and 19 points in 24 games later, Moulson is establishing a breakout season.
At the beginning of this season, Robbie Schremp (Edmonton's first round pick in 2004, 25th overall) had hoped for a fresh start in New York. Three frustrating, yet productive seasons in the AHL had yielded little in the way of real results. Short stints in 3 different NHL seasons hadn't even produced his first NHL goal. Well, neither has his fourth season. With only 8 games played this season, Schremp has a long way to go to get into the good graces of the Islander's coaching staff.
We'll follow up later this season with the Islanders, and see how their prospects are developing.
For more information, please consult the New York Islanders Examiner.
For your viewing pleasure, please enjoy the John Tavares tribute video below.
Comments
After seeing Moulson bang some in during the preseason games and before the start of the season, I made a "crazy" statement that Moulson would be a 30-goal scorer this year. He looked that good in pre-season and now he is on that pace.
Congrats on a great prediction. Let's see if he keeps it going!
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