Side from the obvious talent already in the NHL for those on Long Island, Snow has done a good job with keeping a steady flow of talent in the system. Each draft they manage to come away with something to like, and this 2011 Draft really proved it. Strome and Mayfield were a terrific haul for the Islanders as they continue their rebuild for the future.
1.
Ryan Strome, Center
Niagara Ice Dogs, OHL
6'1, 183 lbs
A playmaker by definition, Strome has that 'wow' factor to make any fan stand on their feet. One of the best puck handlers out there, Strome has the ability to make high end offensive plays at top speeds, where he excels in his skating. Though he needs to bulk up, Strome is as high end as they come int he prospect world with a quick accurate shot, high end vision and playmaking abilities and a terrific work ethic. His skating is very good, with lateral agility and the elusiveness to get around the offensive zone.
Upside: Top Line Center
NHL Comparable? Patrick Kane
2.
Nino Niederreiter, Left Wing
Portland Winterhawks, WHL
6'2, 203 lbs
The power forward is a highly sought after commodity in today's NHL; Nino should be just that for the Islanders. He uses his size and strength well in the corners and has no problem bowling over an opponent to come out with the puck. He consistently moves his feet and generates speed through all three zones with a defensively sound game. A hard shot with a lot of accuracy can also be a trademark of this rugged forward.
Upside: Top Six Power Forward
NHL Comparable? Brendan Shanahan
3.
Calvin de Haan, Defense
Oshawa Generals, OHL
6'1, 189 lbs
How often do we hear a team is in need of a puck moving defenseman? Ding ding ding. Too much. De Haan shows tremendous upside in the offensive department to go with a sound defensive game. Strong foot work and fluid stride highlight a terrific skating package, on top of his array of weapons. His passing is top notch and has the vision to quarterback a Power Play very well.
Upside: Top Four Defenseman, with PP Duty
NHL Comparable? Joe Corvo
4.
Scott Mayfield, Defense
Youngstown Phantoms, USHL
6'4, 200 lbs
A project defenseman whom I expect to move up in the minds of many once he shows what he can do with Denver next season, Mayfield is the kind of defenseman every team wants. A guy who can play on the PowerPlay or Penalty Kill and log big minutes 5-on-5, Mayfield is a coach's dream. Whether moving the puck with crisp passing, or unleashing his bomb from the point, Mayfield has the offensive upside to put up point. Defensively Mayfield is very sound, using his long reach and mobility in all four directions, or using the natural aggression to his game to absolutely nail an opponent with a check. He's a very raw defender, but with huge upside.
Upside? Top Pairing Defenseman
NHL Comparable? Chris Pronger
5.
Anders Lee, Center
University of Notre Dame, CCHA (NCAA)
6'3, 220 lbs
A big power center is a very sought after player; with teams moving towards building down the middle. A kid who came out of the Minnesota High School hockey, and lit up the USHL before going onto a PPG pace in his rookie season with Notre Dame, Lee has the size that all NHL Teams covet in a center to go with the offensive abilities he's starting to show. A mobile skater with a large frame and strength to use as he battles in the corner and along the boards, Lee plays a simple game, driving the puck to the net hard and often. An adept player int he circle, with a heavy quick shot and the ability to lay out an opponent with hits; Lee is really starting to turn heads on Long Island.
Upside: 2nd/3rd Line Power Center
6.
Robbie Russo, Defense
U.S. National U18 Team, USNDP
6’0, 190 lbs
The 18 year old 95th overall pick of 2011 surprised me by his fall so far. Russo has good size and great vision with great distribution. He is a great puck rusher and enters the offensive zone with authority using his great speed. He had a very good year in the USNDP with 4 goals and 30 points in 60 games but really took it to another level at the WJC-U18 where he Captained the gold medal winning American side and led his team in points by a defenseman with 8 in 7 games.
Upside: Top-4 PP Defenseman
NHL Comparable? Dennis Wideman
7.
Brock Nelson, Center
University of North Dakota, NCAA
6’3, 205 lbs
Nelson is what one can expect from a grinding potential power forward, he has size, he has tenacity and he has some skill. He was drafted out of the Minnesota High School System in 2010 but didn’t get the chance he should have had last year in North Dakota. He was caught behind a lot of veterans and skilled guys (Frattin, Kristo, Knight), but still managed to put up 21 points in 43 games. He has a good two-way game that he spent most of the year improving on but can make costly turnovers. He has a great hard shot and can skate well for a big guy.
Upside: 2nd Line Power Forward
NHL Comparable: Tuomo Ruutu
8.
Kevin Poulin, Goalie
Bridgeport Sound Tigers,AHL
6’1, 201 lbs
Poulin outdid himself last year providing the Islanders and Sound Tigers with amazing goaltending until his injury. The 21 year old keeper stole the reigns in the AHL playing 15 games with a fantastic .932 sv.% and a GAA of 2.19 and continued that kind of play at the NHL level. He is a very athletic goalie that can find himself out of position at times but is extremely quick in recovery. Quickness is his best asset but it can lead to both extraordinary saves and softies. He isn’t the best technical goalie but he oozes skill.
Upside: 1A Goalie
NHL Comparable: Marc-Andre Fleury
9.
Ty Wishart, Defense
Bridgeport Sound Tigers, AHL
6’4, 223 lbs
Received in the trade that sent Roloson to Tampa, Wishart has a good mixture of size and talent. He has a great booming shot and decent vision to go with decent skating. His main problem has been his lack of physical play for a guy his size and being worked off the puck in the corners. He will most likely spend the year in Long Island as he was impressive in his 20 games where he tallied 5 points in 20 games.
Upside: Top-4 Defenseman
NHL Comparable: Fedor Tyutin
10.
Kirill Petrov, RW/LW
Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk, KHL
6’3, 209
A player I got to see with my own eyes quite a bit Petrov has a ton of speed and skill, he loves to dangle and use his exceptional wrist shot. He played on an extremely defense first team in Yugra but still showed signs of his talent especially in the playoffs where he was their best forward. While his two-way game has always come into question along with some of his lack of effort, he did improve a bit on that side of the puck but still needs work. He doesn’t shy from contact and inconsistently lays out some big hits. He is moving to AK-Bars Kazan where he will be in a more offensive oriented team where I expect his numbers will increase from his 21 in 52 last season.
Upside: Top-6 Winger
NHL Comparable: Andrei Kostitsyn
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