After a long summer off, Islanders hockey returns this week with the start of preseason play. The six game preseason slate will give us a look at both this year’s roster as well as a handful of Islanders prospects. Here are some of the most intriguing prospects to watch during the Islanders preseason games.
William Dufour currently ranks as the top forward prospect in the Islanders system. The 21-year-old fifth round pick from 2020 had an impressive run in the QMJHL which put him on the NHL radar. He followed that up with a 21 goal, 48 point performance in 69 games of AHL action. Despite his success over the last couple of seasons, Dufour has a lot to prove before becoming an everyday NHL player.
Some may remember his one game with the Islanders in which he got benched after six minutes of ice time. It was a tough start to his NHL career, but it will no doubt be a huge motivator for Dufour going forwards. These preseason games will provide the young winger with a great opportunity to rebound and impress the Islanders coaching staff. A strong preseason performance could even land him a roster spot with the departures of Josh Bailey and Zach Parise.
Samuel Bolduc made a solid first impression in his first 17 games of NHL action. He was praised for his poise and showed some glimpses of his offensive potential. There were some struggles that came with his early success that should ultimately smooth out with more experience. With a new two year, one way contract extension Bolduc will be on the opening day roster.
The question is whether he’ll be starting or riding the pine to start the new season. He’ll be competing with Sebastion Aho, who held the sixth defenseman spot throughout the tail end of last season. Aho currently has the edge based on experience alone; however, it’s not necessarily his job to lose. If Bolduc can display some growth from last year it’s entirely possible for him to be a day one starter. His preseason play could go a long way into determining his status for the start of the season.
Like Dufour, the Islanders found Matthew Maggio in the fifth round of his draft year. The 20-year-old winger had a wildly impressive end to his OHL tenure. He picked up 88 points in 2021-22 and a whopping 111 points last season. He also got in three games of AHL action last year, registering two assists.
Needless to say, Maggio is an exciting offensive prospect who has the attention of the Islanders faithful. Preseason play will provide a great opportunity for fans to watch the young winger in professional play. This is also a great opportunity for Maggio to make a big impression on the team and compete for a future roster spot.
Yet another mid-round draft pick is drawing a lot of attention in the Islanders’ system. Defenseman Isaiah George is a 2022 fourth round pick who has been turning some heads during training camp. Both Bridgeport head coach Rick Kowalksy and Islanders head coach Lane Lambert have had some high praise for the 19-year-old’s play.
With how well George has been performing in camp, it’s highly likely that he’ll participate in preseason play to some degree. And with all of the hype surrounding this prospect, it’ll be worth watching his performance. He’s unlikely to play at the NHL level anytime this year, but with continued success he may greatly accelerate his path to the league.
Featured image courtesy of NHL.com
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