Still Big Questions On New York Youth Movement

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/14/2011 06:32:00 AM |


Trent Hunter: Has been invited to tryout for the Los Angles Kings. Bryan Trottier is involved with a group interested in purchasing the St Louis Blues here.
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In February of 2010, New York Islander Fan Central, had a blog entry titled
NEW YORK YOUTH MOVEMENT A FAILURE, where we examined the teams past prospects.

In April 2010 that was followed up by an entry titled: State of New York Islander Prospects, which detailed the status of each prospect in the system.

Here we are in September of 2011, it's more than fair to write, despite some top prospects showing some promise, and other quality names in the system, the prospect base is still not there on many levels which is extending past Mike Milbury's tenure, with the teams highest drafted defender from 2001-2008, Dustin Kohn, signing with a team in Sweden this week.

The prospect picture beyond Mike Milbury, is starting to come into focus.

You look at the success other NHL organizations have with some lower draft selections, the Islanders had some marginal success with Sean Bergenheim, Bruno Gervais, Chris Campoli.

There is also Frans Nielsen and Blake Comeau, however it's not nearly enough.

Next Generation:
2006
Kyle Okposo-Member of the New York Islanders.
Jesse Joensuu-Qualified, playing in Europe.
Robin Figren-Returned to Europe.
Rhett Rakhshani-Member of New York Islanders.
Jase Weslosky-Academic ineligibility, off prospect radar.
Tomas Marcinko-Signed but on a New York or Europe contract, not in summer camp or training camp.
Doug Rogers-Not signed.
Shane Sims-Not signed.
Kim Johansson-Not signed.
Andrew MacDonald-Member of the New York Islanders.
Brian Day-Not signed.
Stefan Ridderwall-Not signed.
Troy Mattila-Technically an on paper prospect, not in any recent camps.
2007
Mark Katic-Member of the New York Islanders.
Jason Gregoire-Left school via Wheeler rule, signed with Winnipeg.
Maxime Gratchev-Not signed.
Blake Kessel-Left school via Wheeler, rule, signed by Flyers.
Simon Lacroix-Not signed.
Notable Losses2008-Present
David Towes-Left college, rights traded to Chicago, not in summer Islander camp.
Jyri Niemi-Traded to Rangers after not being signed by Islanders.
Jared Spurgeon-Signed by Minnesota Wild after as a walk-on prospect, after Islanders did not sign him and made the NHL.
Tony DeHart-Not at teams camp this summer or training camp.

Beyond that we have to see, some quality names and picks, but it comes down to this team needs a few breakout stars from not only the top end picks, but the lower selections.

Currently Andrew MacDonald/Josh Bailey/John Tavares and Kyle Okposo, Ryan Strome, Calvin deHaan, Nino Niederreiter, Hamonic and others are a good start, but this is also going to come down to how some later picks pan out.

They need that one breakout star from the bottom end of the draft.