After what seemed like a millennium of picks, false hopes of trades, and speculation, the Islanders finally were on the clock for the 23rd pick of the 2019 NHL Entry Level Draft. With that pick, they selected Sweedish Foward Simon Holmstrom.

Holmstrom, 18, scored 21 points in 22 games with his team HV71. The Swede was supposed to be a first round pick, but a series of injuries brought his projection down to the middle of the second round. Holmstrom played well when he played, a near point-per-game player for Sweden in the U18 World Championship.

The Islanders have themselves a very talented pick at 23. While he wasn’t on a lot of experts’ “radar,” he can score and he can play. When asked about the decision to draft Holmstrom, Lou Lamoriello said that he was too much of a talent to not take at 23.

Like most fans I was surprised and frustrated with the pick. With center Ryan Suzuki available, I was expecting the Isles to draft him and build up some center depth.

What I don’t understand about the outrage is that Holmstrom could be a steal. If any fan did any research on him they would see that his injury history brought his rating down, similar to Mat Barzal.

If Holmstrom can stay healthy then he could become the biggest steal of the draft. I trust that Lamoriello had everything checked out regarding Holmstrom’s health. While that may be a big if, the Swede won’t be ready to play in the NHL until three or four years, so fans should calm down and see what he really is before we all throw him to the fire.

I would compare the pick to Bol Bol of the NBA. Two talented athletes who fell because of the uncertainty of their health.

Bol, who was a projected top-five pick, fell to 44 after questions arose regarding his health.

For fans who really expecting the Isles to draft a center, because they need a center, have to remember that unless the pick is a top-5 pick, odds are they won’t play in the NHL for a couple of years.

Holmstrom has the skill and has proved that when healthy, he can put up the points to be an elite prospect. TheHockeyWriters.com wrote this regarding the Isles prospect:

If Holmström played a full season, it’s very likely that he’d be a lock for the first round. That’s largely due to the smart decisions he makes with the puck, his borderline-elite playmaking abilities and the vision he has on the ice. He’s also a good skater but needs to find that top gear at times. Overall in his play, the good definitely outweighs the bad

So maybe fans should trust the front office. Give the Swede a chance to prove his worth before you write him off.

Analysts make mistakes, look at Ryan Strome and Michael Dal Colle. Both top-five picks, projected to be in the top-five, but look at where they are now. Strome has been traded around the NHL and is just starting to produce and Dal Colle has been flip-flopping between the AHL and NHL.

So let’s see what Holmstrom could bring to the table. I believe that he could be one of the biggest steals of the draft.