Michael Dal Colle has had an up-and-down career as a New York Islanders prospect and player. But the once top prospect seems to have finally found his place in the Islanders’ lineup.

Anthony Beauvillier’s lower body injury a few weeks ago became an opportunity for many different players to get into the lineup. It was a chance to prove who belongs, especially in a top-six role. Players like Dmytro Timashov and Austin Czarnik got chances, but didn’t stick. Dal Colle got that chance on February 6th against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He delivered.

Dal Colle has two assists in four games, but that doesn’t tell the story of his improved play this season. He looks faster, stronger on the puck and has made some great passes and smart decisions. It seems like some more time with Barry Trotz has tremendously improved his defensive zone play this season.

It’s been a long time coming for Dal Colle. After the Islanders took him 5th overall in the 2014 NHL Draft, he scored 93 points with the OHL’s Oshawa Generals in 2014-2015. The Generals named him captain during the 2015-2016 season, but he struggled to return to his 93-point pace of the season prior, and the Generals traded him mid-season to the Kingston Frontenacs. He returned to his point-a-game pace in Kingston, scoring 55 points in 30 games, but Islanders fans had reason to worry about their top draft pick.

Dal Colle played his first full season in Bridgeport during the 2016-2017 season, scoring 41 points in 75 games. He struggled the season after, but was an AHL all-star in 2018-2019. That was also the season he broke into the NHL. However, many fans were very frustrated with Dal Colle’s play. Over the last two seasons, he only has 19 points in 89 games played.

It will be interesting to see where Michael Dal Colle lands in the Islanders’ lineup when Beauvillier returns. If Dal Colle stays in the lineup, it will be because of his play this week against Pittsburgh and Boston. If he clicks with the second line, he could he stay there. Beauvillier could move to the third line with Pageau and Wahlstrom. Trotz has reason to like Michael Dal Colle’s game and should continue to put him in the lineup.

Michael Dal Colle looks like a different player this season and could potentially return to the player the Islanders drafted him to be. He is still only 24 years old, and some players take longer to develop. Dal Colle is proving many people wrong, and it is exciting to see what he will accomplish with his improved play on the Islanders’ second line.

John Smark