PRE-GAME SPECIAL: TOP 10 PROSPECTS
NOT with the big club or in Bridgeport
- (Corey Trivino, No. 3)
Before we unveil our list of the Islanders’ top prospects not currently with the big club or playing in Bridgeport, a few notes:
- The list was compiled with our knowledge of the prospects combined with the views of three NHL amateur scouts.
- The key word is here “upside.” It is very possible some lower-ranked players could make the NHL while some of the more highly-ranked never get here. This list is of the players with the most potential.
- No, we did not forget anyone (Blake Kessel, Jason Gregoire, David Toews, Jyri Niemi, Justin DiBenedetto). There is still plenty of time to move up the chart for our next ranking.
- That said, based on need and timing - and ability, naturally - it’s possible the Islanders could sign a player or two not on this list before they sign a player on it.
Here goes.
10. LW DAVID ULLSTROM, 19 years old
Drafted: 4th round, 2008
Now Playing: Boras HC, Swedish Elite League
NHL Upside: Second or third-line forward with high-end skill and speed
Scout: “A real sleeper. Great value in the fourth round.”
9. G STEFAN RIDDERWALL, 20 years old
Drafted: 6th round, 2006
Now Playing: Djurgardens, Swedish Elite League
NHL Upside: No. 2 goalie with an outside chance of pushing for No. 1
Scout: “If he wants to be in the NHL, he should come over in a year or two and start in the American League. Definitely has the talent.”
8. LW MATT MARTIN, 19 years old
Drafted: 5th round, 2008
Now Playing: Sarnia, Ontario Hockey League
NHL Upside: Leadership, character, toughness
Scout: “Keeps on getting better. Probably not much more than a third-line player, maybe fourth line, but I think he’s a winner. Every team wants a kid like this.”
7. D MARK KATIC, 19 years old
Drafted: 3rd round, 2007
Now Playing: Sarnia, Ontario Hockey League
NHL Upside: No. 3-4 defenseman
Scout: “Still has to show more. The skills are there. I think the Islanders will sign him and I think he’ll play, but he has to show more consistency to make it as a top-4.”
6. D TRAVIS HAMONIC, 18 years old
Drafted: 2nd round, 2008
Now Playing: Moose Jaw, Western Hockey League
NHL Upside: No. 2-3 shutdown defenseman
Scout: “Solid. Could he be special? I don’t know. Just a real good stay-at-home defenseman who should have a long career.”
5. RW RHETT RAKHSHANI, 20 years old
Drafted: 4th round, 2006
Now Playing: University of Denver
NHL Upside: competitive and skilled second-line right wing
Scout: “Skating is not great, but makes up for it with playmaking ability and work ethic.”
4. LW ROBIN FIGREN, 20 years old
Drafted: 3rd round, 2006
Now Playing: Djurgardens, Swedish Elite League
NHL Upside: same as Rakhshani, but on the left side
Scout: “Should be an excellent fit in Scott Gordon’s system when he returns from Sweden. A very good all-around player with intangibles.”
3. C COREY TRIVINO, 18 years old
Drafted: 2nd round, 2008
Now Playing: Boston University
NHL Upside: same as Figren and Rakhshani, but down the middle and with blazing speed
Scout: “Kid can fly. If he can put it all together…”
2. D AARON NESS, 18 years old
Drafted: 2nd round, 2008
Now Playing: University of Minnesota
NHL Upside: No. 2, Rafalski-like defenseman
Scout: “Only went in the second round because of size (5-10, 160). The Islanders may have lucked into this one.”
1. RW KIRILL PETROV, 18 years old
Drafted: 3rd round, 2008
Now Playing: Kazan Ak Bars, Kontinental Hockey League
NHL Upside: First-line wing
Scout: “The ultimate wild card. Don’t know when he’ll come over. Probably won’t be for another year or two at the earliest. But for a team with all those early round picks, the Islanders were smart to grab him. Too much skill to ignore.”
Comments.
92 Responses to “PRE-GAME SPECIAL: TOP 10 PROSPECTS
NOT with the big club or in Bridgeport”
Please Wait
As always nice work Botta…Hope you are feeling better? How come Trivino hasnt seen much playing time at BU? Also how come the Islanders draftees are soooo small? Where did those 6′3″ 220 lb skilled forwards go?
Petrov is big, so is Martin I think.
very interesting to read what they (amateur scouts)thought about these up coming guys.
All I gotta say is holy cow how young! they have such baby faces, they look to young to be out there in such a tough sport, lol! ok so maybe it’s me I’m getting older.. no need to go down that road..lol!
I like reading things like this because it’ll be interesting to see them rise and see where their careers go they have so much ahead of them in the NHL
Maybe snow did the right move. I mean I think Bailey will stay, because he deserves to stay, not because of PR reasons. And if Petrov comes over and becomes a star, in a way the person who got the islanders petrov was josh bailey
TuxTax: Both Ullström, Petrov and Martin is atleast 6′2, and filling out pretty good.
I’ll take #2 & #4 please.
wrap ‘em up, I’ll take ‘em.
For now the future looks good. Nice picks last draft, and so far developing well. Let’s just hold on to them now, and not let them go.
Petrov & Ullstrom are not small, add Joensuu in there and there’s enough size and skill forward prospects
You would 7th Woman…;)!
I think if the Islanders can bring Petrov and Ness along things will be pretty darn good in the next 3-4 years. Petrov is the key though. Once his contract expires with Ak Bars the Isles need to get him over here and show him how much better the NHL will lend itself to his skill set on the smaller rinks.
Hope everyone’s having a fast Monday!
Doug
Ullstrom…sounds like a solid hockey name…I guess I didnt do my homework…or maybe I am looking to the future for who is going to be our true orange and blue big, fast, and skilled goal scorer?!?
Haha. Good Monday, im on a conference call right now.
LET’S GO BOTTA!
Awesome work that can only be found on this site!
Josenu is 6′4′ 236 according to Logan article a while back. Based on his age you’d say he can still get bigger. He beat up Bass or boss from Ott in convincing fashion which is impressive because that guy fights a lot. When Niel went down with injury that is who Ott called up. He has a high skill level. YOu can see more size coming in the Isles future except on the blue line. Only Harmonic and Neimi have size there of the serious prospects.
Why do you hate my boy DiBo? What more could he possibly be doing for Sarnia?
I am the #1 DiBenedetto fanboy, this is true, but the kid can flat out produce
thanks chris, very interesting read. man, i really hope that petrov comes over fairly soon.
Tux, I’m on a conference call too right now, I wonder if we are on the same one?
Any of you catch Arthur Staples b.s. piece today defending Colon Campbell? He is either the worst writer in the world and didn’t bother to research and fact check or his Newsday bosses or someone from the NHL told him what to write. Either way time for Arthus to sit down and figure out if that is the environment a real journalist wants to work in or if he just sucks that bad then he needs to go work at one of NY’s Pizza places. You know someone got pissed that Logan took Campbell out to the woodshed and wanted it countered.
Interesting article on new Islander backup goalie
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=394110
Oh my GOD do I want to see Petrov in an Islanders uniform. Please hockey gods, please…
Ness and Petrov, probably the two best pick ups for the Isles. Ness needs to bulk up and he’ll probably be ready by 2010. can’t wait to see these guys play in the NHL-especially Petrov.
great list, CB.
This site really is the best for any Islander fan - thanks CB.
Yea - that Newsday piece trying to explain / defend Campbell was such a waste of space. Can’t imagine anyone felt a whole lot better about the jerk after reading that trash.
Would love to get some payback on the Habs tonight for last month’s debacle at NVMC.
Ready for Fritz / Laroque round 2!
The interesting issue with Staple’s Newsday piece is that if Campbell wanted to respond to “Islander Nation,” it would have made more sense to get a hold of Logan, who presumably is in Montreal right now. By going through the Ranger$’ beat writer, Campbell does away with whatever credibility he’s trying to retain.
Ness not showing much with the Minnesota Gophers yet. He is very young and small.
Matt Martin had a hat trick and and an assist in Sarnia’s 4-2 win over Mississauga on Sunday, has 15 goals in 20 games so far this year.
Great write-up, I hope you’ll update every six months or so.
Re: Petrov; if I remember correctly, when he was drafted in June, he was under contract with his Russian hockey team for three seasons (including this one). Even though contracts appear to mean nothing over in Russia, I’d still be surprised if you saw Petrov make the jump over here before his contract ends, after the 2010-11 season.
I’d be curious to see what your scout’s takes were on some of the notables left off the list, such as Toews, DiBendetto, and Kessel. I remember Billy Jaffe referring to Kessel as “first round talent” last season, and DiBenedetto is tearing up the OHL (20GP, 17-19-36).
Well had Campbell got hold Logan he would have had to answer real questions with someone who knows the facts and atleast part of the deep history of Campbell’s attacks on the Islanders. Newsday and Campbell knows this and they didn’t want Campbell to have to answer for his actions. They wanted a fluff piece and therefore, Newsday assigned Staple and probably told the guy how to write it.
Why don’t ya sit down for a face-to-face with Logan Campbell?
Chris,
Can you include current year stats on these in the future? Much obliged.
I think Petrov will be with the Isles next year unless the NHL and KHL get an agreement in place. Russia has been bandits and that means it is open season both ways. The NHL held tight this year to try and work something out but those days are over.
Someone here posted a interivew with Petrov and he said he had a chance to join the Isles this past summer but wanted to wait another year. So that means that contract is not much of a barrier.
Man the day the Isles have Petrov and Josenu in the line up with all their other talent will be a good day. We still need more help at center and big mean d-men but pretty set on the wings.
NO Komisarik tonight for you guys who like to watch him and dream of the day he’ll join the Islanders. He got into a fight against Milan Lucic (another favorite of mine) and got beat and a disloacted shoulder.
You know I think (I’d need to verify) that the year Lucic got drafted in the 2nd round we didn’t have a pick because it got traded for Zednik who wasn’t worth it to begin with but definetly not after the 3 games he ended up playing. The pick would have been ahead of Boston’s but hey, who wouldn’t want Zednik’s 3 games compared to the career of Milan Lucic. Remember what a weak draft we were told it was?
Thanks, CB for the info. We need that. And thanks to all others for recognizing Petrov’s talant and willingness for him to become an Islander. Hope, there is justice out there, and he will on the team sooner or later.
I also hope that Isle’s lawyers are cooking a big case against Campbell (wishful thinking - maybe). It must be a way to hit this men legally.
20-20 hind sight. Who would have known? Like to watch Komi play but not against our team!
it would be nice if the nhl could reach an agreement with the khl. if they worked out a tv deal the nhl network could actually broadcast some hockey.
Matt the Isles scouts and GM should have known. While I liked getting Smyth (but not now) I never liked Zednik. Guys neve done much and whatever personal crisis he had cost us a 2nd rounder for a few games.
Lucic was drafted in 2006, the Zednik trade was in 2007. In 2006 the Isles drafted Okposo in the 1st round and Joensuu in the 2nd (after Lucic). If the Isles were to draft Lucic that year they would have to trade up from 60th overall where they picked Joensuu. Not sure what happened with the original 2nd round pick, as the Isles pick came from Dallas.
Ness hasn’t put up big numbers yet, but if you guys will take my word - he will be a top d-man in the NHL. I was very impressed.
Yeah guess you are right. Being a fan we expect them to always be right. It is a bit of a crap shoot. We went after Zednik becuase of his playoff success. Guess that didn’t work out. LOL!!! Just commented on Staples blog. What a moron. He actually said we should consider ourselves appreciative that he even interviewed. I would have rather he didn’t. He stayed up all night trying to figure out that suspension. LMFAO! What a putz. Staple and Campbell.
I agree we have a nice collection of prospects…..and if they all learn the same system, there is no reason why the Islanders can’t develop into an entertaining and competitive team. That being said, I too have watched the numbers of DiBenedetto soaring in the O. But do you remember the last time we saw numbers like that???? I believe Justin Mapletoft was his name, from Red Deer where Sutter coached. Anyone have any idea where Mapletoft ended up?????? Not here. There’s lots more to the prospects than numbers. But wishfully thinking because we share the same last name, I hope DiBenedetto (I’m DeBenedetto)makes the club one day. Just don’t tell me the jerseys I’ve owned for the last 30 years are spelled incorrectly. Maybe he can change his spelling. Go Isles
Has Snow finally put his stamp on the team with shrewd draft day moves? Trading down twice to replenish the system was smart. Look at all the 08′ picks on that list,plus Bailey.Not too shabby. If Petrov comes over that draft could be there best since “The Architect”. A few props should go Snow’s way.
Props will go to Snow when these kids develod into NHL caliber players. Till then he gets an E for effort.
Agreed, starting to see the right kinds of players enter the system. What is so telling how few actual Islander picks are playing in Bridgeport, tell you Milbury left the cupboard bare. Next year or two you’ll start seeing Bridge loaded. I have faith Martin will make the club one day. If Debentetto only makes it to the Bridge and has a nice career there and an injury call up that is still better then what many other draft picks have done.
future is sweet. petrov is amazing as is trivino and figrin. trivino and figrin should make a great pair with smith.
“The future’s so bright……I gotta wear shades, I gotta wear shades”
Nice piece CB!!!
Man……I love this site!!!
anyone know what happened to this giant we drafted in 1999
Kristián Kudroč
I have eyes in the sky on Matt Martin, and I can confirm he’s everything you want in a bottom six tough forward. He would have been the ideal guy to have on the ice after Franzie got hit.
As for Hamonic, mark my words this guy will be a steal even in the second round. He needs time to grow as he’s only 18, but there’s a lot to like there.
It’s great that I can watch the UMinn games because Ness has a lot more to offer than just his offense which is what he as drafted for.
Kristian Kudroc was an absolute monster who was selected by the Isles in the doomed 1999 draft. I remember being psyched the Isles had taken him and Branislav Mezei in the first round (along with Connolly and Pyatt). That was a lot of blueline size.
However, he was traded a year later, along with Kevin Weekes in the Great Draft Day Goaltender Purge of 2000 (Luongo was also sent packing on this fateful day).
He had a couple of cups of coffee with the Lightning before being signed by Florida, where he did the same.
Eventually he went back to Europe, and isn’t considered a prospect anymore.
Yep…it’s funny, I remember being so psyched about all those early picks in the 99 draft, but that draft was just awful in the 1st round.
Great list, CB. I think our future looks bright, especially with Bridgeport and Utah supporting our efforts and creating a good player development pipeline. I follow BU (my alma mater) in hockey, and Trivino has looked good. His issue is that freshmen don’t usually get lots of playing time unless it’s out of necessity, and he’s stuck on the depth chart behind a few other guys, like 7th overall pick Colin Wilson. Everyone I speak to in Boston is still excited about him, and I hope to see him contribute to BOTH my teams in the coming years.
Huge jason gregoire fan. Hes alittle small but the kids a pure goal scorer.
yeah i was looking it up and noticed that we had 4 picks and was looking at it and recognised the gys size. well with pyatt and connolly we got peca.
I myself am very anxious to see what Petrov will bring to the table.
I’m hoping for the total opposite of Oleg Kvasha - a guy with size, skating ability and talent… with a heart.
Just FYI: Mapletoft is currently playing in Austria (Villach) and Kudroč in SEL (Sodertalje)
How bout this for the top two lines lets say 5 years from Tamby-Bailey-Okposo and Rakhshani-Trivino-Figren (Petrov could fit in as well) could be fun
Comeau - Nielsen - Petrov for your 3rd line
i hope bailey pans out, cause i just read toronto’s system audit on the hockey future site,and if what they’re saying about schenn is even half true, i think garth might’ve goofed.
Five years from now “Tamby” won’t even be in hockey… How could he possibly be on the 1st line with the Islanders?
DOC
bacarroll25 - i like schenn a lot but i think part of the reason we passed on him was b/c we took hamonic the next day, a guy with a similar game that the isles had scouted the hell out of. overall, i think the isles had an excellent draft. the 08 draft really could be the turning point for this franchise.
Don’t believe anything about what Toronto writes about their players. Any Canadian team over hypes there players/prospects to a ridiculous extent. Overhype them way more than even we do! Schenn is looking good but its going to take 2-3 years before we see how well we did in last years draft, probably longer. We did get a lot of picks and probably re-stocked our depleted farm system which was needed so its hard to argue with what Snow did. Bailey is shaping up fine and looks like a keeper!
Just remember that Matt Martin wasn’t even drafted in the OHL. He was a walk on with high asapirations. Two seasons later he is Sarnia’s Captain. There’s a lot to like about this kid, and a player I’d love to have on this team right now.
Antbody watching this game in HD on L.I. have crappy sound? Same as the last couple games…..
yes the sound SUCKS..WTF is going on cablevision..How is FIOS anybody? I hate Dolan
I thought it was just me….making a call as we speak….I mean write….u know what I mean
I was on hold with Cablevision for 25 minutes. They don’t have a clue. Tried to say it was the cable box and to set up a service call. As I do not have this sound problem on any other channel but MSGPlus in HD, I lodged a formal complaint. (BTW. The volume on the Ranger game is just fine.)
Just another reason why I love Bergenhim..the first guy to confront Kostitsyn after he put the puck in the net after the whistle.
I hate Dolan, as much as I hate the $TRANGER$…..btw still on hold…
and 7th, you’re right….no problem with the sound on that “other” channel or any other channel for that matter
just made a formal complaint
anyway….3-2 bad guys
gotta come out and play “our” game here in the 3rd
Well, so far they’re hangin in there admirably against a team that is clearly superior to them from a skill and talent standpoint. You can see how this could have gotten out of hand for a little while there. Let’s see what they have left in the third.
typical we get treated like 3rd class citizens by cablevision..i need to look into FIOS
The Islanders are the red-headed stepchild of cabelvision…..I heard fios isn’t all that good either
howie annoys me enough being a ranger lover i dont need his voice going schizo all night….
lol 2-funny
Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!
he put it in his own net!!!!!
awesome
payback for giving away the lead to them a few weeks ago
I think josh bailey just made the team
WOW!!!! What a game!!!!
5 out of 6 people.
I wish i was there to do the ole chant
I can’t remember the Isles “stealing” a game like that in a very long time. And by stealing, I mean getting a HUGE break.
But i feel bad for that guy he is going to need a police escort home
If the Canadians want to trade O’Byrne right now for a 7th rd pick, I’d do it.
By the way, the Isles have won AT Buffalo, Ottawa, Montreal and MSG.
What a game. Timely saves, a strong Baily, blocked shots, very lucky brain cramp, etc. I’ll take it. If one thing that I can say about this team, to this point of the season, is that they are a pain to play against. I am curious to see the lineup once KO and Comrie and Silly are all healthy. I know Colliton will be back at The Bridge, hopefully Sim would have a nice view from the press box, but not sure about the 3rd guy. Any thoughts?
And just for the record, Guy Carboneau is a d–k. I posted this on Greg’s blog, but what’s he doing taking pot shots at the isles like that, saying streit is only getting time bc the isles are a second class team? I’ve hated that MFer ever since i was there at the NVMC to see him score in OT of Game 3 of the Wales Conference finals in 93, after the Habs got away with too many men on the ice.
That loser deserves what they got tonight…go isles.
By the way, is richard park the most underrated player in the NHL?
poor guy….. but maybe the puck is starting to bounce “our” way……
Big Mac…..Awesome
Bailey….He belongs
Park….goal and AWESOME shootout goal
The team as a whole never quit, a little scary there for a bit, but they never quit…..needless to say, very happy
LETS GO ISLANDERS! ! !!!
Unbelieveable. Give the Isles credit. They probably weren’t the better team on the ice tonight, but they gave it all they had and hung in there long enough to catch a break like that. MacD looked poised in the shootout too. Campoli was a bit lazy I thought. Hilbert and Park were amazing on the PK.
Ahhhhh - payback is sweet!!
Jon - totally agree. .it’s usually ISLES finding a way to lose. Feels great when it happens this way!
Loved Bergenheim confronting Kostitsyn after putting puck in net after whistle. . And Bailey’s best game - the kid has got to stay. . Gets very exciting dreaming about a future that includes Bailey, Okposo and Neilsen growing together.
They’re winning in places they usually don’t — Ottawa, Montreal.
And yes. . I have Time Warner in Westchester and have noticed the past few games on MSG+ HD - my sound has been terrible, too.
One away from .500!!
Haha…Doug Weight on the empty netter…
” I just used overspeed to pressure the puck”
I’m pleasantly shocked. Don’t have much else to contribute. I love what Bergenheim brings to the team, and Bailey looks like he’s really hitting his stride and feeling more comfortable. I agree, this was by far his best game.
i am so happy those habs fans had to sit through that…for all of the abuse we took it at the NVMC from the traveling Habs fans….payback is a bey*tch!
What does everyone think is gonna happen when Comrie Thompson and Sillinger are ready?
UiF, Campoli was bad but I think he was just having a horrible night. I thought he slowed down later on but it seemed like he was ‘off’ and then losing confidence more than laziness to me.
That poor kid O’Byrne!!!! (Tee hee)
I lost a lot of respect for Montreal fans tonight. They were derisively chanting O’Byrne’s name after the game like he was on the opposing team. Picture Isles fans chanting “Skinner” or “Pock” if they had done the same thing. Wouldn’t happen.
just curious when the scouts will come up with a talent like nash, kov, malkin or ovechkin like? I know we havent had a #1 pick, just seems most of our talent hasnt been panning out. havent had a true, pure home grown goal scorer since…ziggy i guess, just a thought.
Love this list…thanks for some insight other than NYI.com
So one 1st liner possibly, if he comes over. The rest we have skill, but more balance, speed, but not enough skill, effort but needs skill and a potential starter who could blossom.
boy this organization has a thing against first line talent! Bailey hopefully makes our top line as that would mean he’s a second liner on 29 other teams.
CB, what I’m asking is this: when do you throw out the car…..after how many breakdowns? When do you expect us to swing for the fences with all the 35 MPH lobbers we’re being spoonfed rather than continually bunting?
If we get the first pick, would it be UNIMAGINABLE with this franchise to draft a 5′8″ right winger projected to be a second rounder with speed instead of Hedman/Tavares/Cowen?
While on vacation to Toronto, checked out Matt Martin and the Sarnia Sting in Missisauga. This guy is the ultimate in Power wingers. The key here is the word Power. Big strong hits like a pile driver, has ice vision and great hands. He always has two or three guys trying to keep him from the net. Plays with an edge yet seems to know when to turn it on and off with the rough stuff. He’s a crowd pleaser for sure.
This list is great, does Figren have a good chance of making the Isles next year? If he does then he would be a great fit with Bailey.