What Is Collin Adams’s Future With the Islanders?
Collin Adams––the 22-year-old left wing from Brighton, Michigan––has agreed to a two-year, two-way contract with the New York Islanders. In his four years at the University of North Dakota, Adams recorded 33 goals and 44 assists in 122 games. More recently, Adams recorded 14 goals and 20 assists in 29 games against top teams in the NCAA. A proven NCAA talent with a knack for scoring, Adams will look to find his way with the Islanders in the coming years.
Simply put, Adams is undersized for an NHL winger. He stands at five feet, nine inches and weighs 172 pounds, while the average build for NHL players is six feet, one inch and 201 pounds. However, he is very strong for his stature, perhaps drawing a player comparison to Brad Marchand. His greatest asset is his play through the neutral zone. Adams always picks up great speed on attacking rushes and has a deceptive shot, especially around the slot. His small size allows him to be quick on his feet and transition well through the neutral zone.
How will his skillset translate to the NHL? Well, he is very talented, but he has to prove that he belongs among professionals. He was not a high draft pick, so he does not have the reputation of several other young players from the NCAA. However, he could still potentially make an impact on the team if his development goes right. That is on the shoulders of Brent Thompson and the rest of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
We are not going to sit here and say he will be the next Connor McDavid. He likely will not even be the next Anthony Beauvillier. However, there is a former Islanders defenseman, Devon Toews, who was not picked highly in his draft year either. Despite being a fourth-round pick, Toews made an immediate impact on the team after his promotion. He has now become a Norris Trophy candidate with the Colorado Avalanche. Collin Adams can develop just as Toews did. He definitely has the potential to be a future third-line depth scorer for the Islanders, but don’t expect him to make an immediate impact within the next three years. First, let’s see how he performs in Bridgeport.
Hi, my name is Jack Kobil. I am currently attending Woodrow Wilson High School in Washington DC. I am a huge Islanders fan and I love to share my passion for this team.
