The Fishing Report

[IslandersGM]

Islanders Land Important Futures as part of Draft 2020

The New York Islanders did quite well and are certainly an improved team on paper as we look at the roster and start for 2020.
In the draft the Islanders added some strong players to the organization that has had a lack lustre drafting record. With the talent pool in the kiddie pond upgraded let's take a look at some of the big fish in the Islanders pond.


Top Prospects:

Marco Rossi Rank 1 2020 Draft
2019-20 Metallurg Magnitogorsk RUS 61 3 10 13 64 28
Currently has 16 points in 7 games so far this year. Marco the Austrian phenom, has the potential to be that top winger for Rubtsov for years to come.
Rossie has a decent shot and pass though he doesn't hit as much as I'm sure the team would like but very good pick at 6th overall. I likely see him coming over next year and to be Pro Roster Ready to take over from Parise when his contract is complete.

Matvei Guskov Rank 2 2019 Draft
2019-20 Bridgeport Sound Tigers AHL 58 17 36 53 18 17
The Islanders had to wait till pick 40 to make their first selection and they didn't disappoint with hard hitting Guskov. He's pretty much already at his best ability after spending part of last season developing in Bridgeport. He's ranked number two on this list only because, as stated his development is pretty much complete and because he will have the hitter effect on the team playing fewer minutes than Rossi in the future.

Seth Jarvis Rank 3 2020 Draft
2019-20 Lethbridge Hurricanes WHL 75 69 34 103 148 34
Currently playing in the WHL and off to a roaring start with 20 points in 10 games. Jarvis is a shooter and is probably going to develop into a better shooter than Marco will be. That should be fine because Marco can get him the puck. Another small player at 5'10, Jarvis is a battler and will have to be a battler to have a strong effect on this franchise. Projects to be a top line winger.

Anton Lundell Rank 4 2020 Draft
2019-20 No stats available
Actually picked two slots prior to Jarvis in the first round, Lundell is another hulking player at 6'2 and who will likely end up as a 3rd line C with is frame and speed. Lundell has a strong defensive game and will likely be a Penalty Kill specialist.

Nolan Foote Rank 5 2019 Draft via Ottawa
2019-20 Sherbrooke Castors QMJHL 77 59 34 93 42 38
One of the players returning in the McDavid deal. Foote should develop into a strong bottom six winger with a scoring touch around the net. Something this team has lacked in recent years.

Yan Kuznetsov Rank 6 2020 Draft
2019-20 MoDo Örnsköldsvik SWE 58 22 17 39 9 34
The next two rankings go to defencemen and they will probably be up against one another for that 6/7 roster spot on the blue line. Kuznetsov should have a slight edge with better checking and positioning abilities. He is 6'3 so he has some size but still two inches shorter than his older rival.


William Francis Rank 7 2019 Draft
2019-20 Djurgarden IF Stockholm SWE 58 4 13 17 41 39
An American playing in the Swedish league is not usual but that's the case here. Francis is a 6'5 defensive monster and was selected 130th overall. He ranks this high as he will likely be that 6/7 Dman that will be able to hit. He doesn't do much else but his Defensive abilities should be enough to keep on the pro roster.

Yevgeni Oksentyuk Rank 8 2020 Draft
2019-20 Providence HE 30 29 12 41 17 27
Currently on the college rout. Ok is the smallest at 5'7. He's got some growing to do hopefully. This Belarussian has the talent to have a long career in the AHL or will manage to consistently slide into pro rosters as an extra forward. He's consistent in his efforts and work ethic but whether the talent can shine will be the question.

Ivan Didkovsky Rank 9 2020 Draft
2019-20 Swift Current Broncos WHL 74 57 25 82 84 39
His slight size and consistency could wind up leaving him as an AHL career forward with short call-ups for injury. Ivan has the shooting tools and stick-handling skills that impress the fan but perhaps on the GM.

Cade Webber Rank 10 2019 Draft
2019-20 Bridgeport Sound Tigers AHL 37 1 2 3 12 -5
2019-20 Shawinigan Cataractes QMJHL 12 5 8 13 5 10
Cade will be a career minor leaguer. That is all. It was a stretch to even get him on this top 10 list but we needed someone to round it out.