Drafting 23rd overall this year, the New York Islanders have a range of players to select from in the draft. This is part two of a ten player list, highlighting who the Islanders could select with their first round pick.
Matthew Robertson- LD, Edmonton (WHL)
A big defenseman at 6-foot-3, Robertson is able to provide both size and offense on the back end. He was ranked 15th by Sportsnet in October before dropping but went on to help Edmonton reach the Conference Finals in the WHL playoffs.
Robertson did have some injury trouble this year– he had a concussion at one point and only played 52 regular season games in total. That being said, his numbers were strong, totalling 33 points and a plus-18 rating in that time.
Moritz Seider- RD, Manheim (DEL)
Little is known about Seider, just based on less exposure from him playing in Germany. He’s a 6-foot-4 right-shot defenseman who’s already playing in the DEL, a German professional league. This year in the DEL, he had six points in 29 regular season games but also added five points in just 14 playoff games.
Seider also already captained the Germany U-20 team in the Division 1 A Group this year– at the time being just 17 years old– where he helped Germany earn their way back into the World Junior tournament for next year. He also had seven points in just five games and was a plus-eight. It’s unlikely the Islanders would go after another right-shot defenseman, already having the likes of Ryan Pulock along with Noah Dobson and Bode Wilde in the system but Seider is ranked to go very close to where New York will be selecting so it's always an option.
Ryan Suzuki- C, Barrie (OHL)
Just to start off, it’s not incredibly likely that Ryan Suzuki slips all the way to the 23rd pick. The younger brother of 2017 first-round pick Nick Suzuki, Ryan was impressive this year, totalling 25 goals and 75 points in 65 games this year with the Barrie Colts.
As an offensive center, Suzuki checks boxes for the Islanders. He’s 6-foot and 176 lbs., but he’s also likely still a couple years away from being NHL ready.
Philip Tomasino- C, Niagara (OHL)
Tomasino gained some attention at the end of the year with the Niagara IceDogs. He ended the season with 34 goals, 72 points and a plus-37 rating in 67 games. He’s a goal scoring forward and could get a serious look if he’s still available when it comes time for New York to pick.
Something to note is that Tomasino ended the season very strong. In his final 15 regular season games, Tomasino had 9 goals, 18 points and was a plus-14. He’s adequate size-wise as well but like Suzuki, he’ll likely take a few years to reach the NHL.
Brayden Tracey- LW, Moose Jaw (WHL)
A left winger, Tracey could add some scoring from the wing for the Islanders. He had excellent production in the WHL this year, scoring 36 goals and 81 points in just 66 games, numbers actually higher than the production of Kirby Dach who is ranked to go in the top-10.
Tracey also represented Canada in the Under-18 tournament, where he had four goals and seven points in seven games. If there aren’t any quality centers available, Tracey could be a good addition on the wing.
Bjornfot wasn’t going to be included but it was a name mentioned in the comments of the last blog and as a left-handed defenseman, he could be a fit with the Islanders. He’s a 6-foot, 203 lbs., and can provide some offense from the back end.
He had 11 goals and 22 points in 39 games in the Swedish junior league and was a plus-15. Bjornfot is ranked to go outside the first round but he could be a sleeper pick for the Islanders at #23.
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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