Islanders 2021 Draft Review
2021-08-28The New York Islanders coming off a disappointing first round exit to the New York Rangers, set out to replenish the prospect cupboard in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. Early returns from the 2020 draft appear to be promising with good development and performances from draft picks Rodion Amirov, NCAA standout Thomas Bordeleau, and Finnish Defenseman Topi Niemela. Niemela had a wonderful WJC U-20 tourney that really improved his recognition around the league as a potential good NHL PMD.
The Islanders came into draft day with 7 draft picks, and then acquired a fourth round pick by trading the rights of RFA defenseman Ryan Murray to Seattle for pick 99.
With the 18th overall pick, the Islanders selected defenseman Corson Ceulemens from the AJHL. The Islanders have not selected a defenseman with a first round pick since Noah Dobson in 2018. "He does remind us a lot of Dobby. Big right handed defenseman that can skate and transition the puck. He's got some offensive potential as well seen at the WJC U-18 this summer. We can see him running a PP unit when he's ready. He's got some work to do with the pace of the game at higher levels, but we see him being a plus offensive contributor at the NHL level" - quoted Tony Chiu Islanders GM.
With the 50th overall pick, the Islanders selected defenseman Sean Behrens from the USNTDP, a program the Islanders have repeatedly drafted out of in recent years (including Behrens, 4th round draft pick Red Savage, Matt Boldy, Thomas Bordeleau, Henry Thrun, Johnny Gruden, and goalie Joseph Woll). "We really liked Sean's game going into the draft. This was a bizarre year but Sean got to play a full season with the USNTDP. He's a 'louder' versionf Henry (Thrun). Both have great vision with their passing, but Henry is a little more laid back and Sean is a bit more aggressive"
The Islanders had 3 third round picks, and they drafted defenseman Brent Johnson, winger Brett Harrison, and defenseman Dimitry Kuzmin.
"Brent had a really good year in the USHL. He was great at both ends of the ice, and he really generated a lot of offensive chances. We are very happy to have selected him where we did. Brett (Harrison) is a top 60 talent for us. He had a great OHL rookie season, but was a victim of the circumstances caused by a virus from a certain Asian country we're not allowed to talk about or otherwise I'd have to issue a John Cena apology. Honestly, our forward core could use a little bite, and Brett has got some of that in his game as well as the offensive talent. Dimitri (Kuzmin) played all year with the men's league in Belarus and he played really well. He also had a good WJC U-18 Tournament. We view that as positive predictive factors in his future development."
With the 99th overall pick acquired from Seattle, the Islanders selected forward Red Savage from the USNTDP.
"Yes, we draft extensively from the program. There's great players from that program every year. This year had some great talent as well. Everyone we spoke to at the program had good things to say about their top guys, but everybody kept saying Red, Red Red. He's their go-to-guy for all situations. (dad) Brian was a very good player in the league for many years. Red doesn't play like Brian, but we can see him achieving the same success as Brian at the NHL level."
Rounding out the draft was fifth round selection Robert Orr from the QMJHL and Justin Ertel from Canadian High school league MJAHL. Certainly, the Islanders have won the "best names of the 2021 NHL Draft" with Savage and Orr.