Islanders’ prospect Ruslan Iskhakov is having a phenomenal season in Finland.

A former second-round draft pick, Iskhakov has not yet received an entry-level contract, but could this offseason. So, how does the center prospect who has already played in four countries eye an opportunity with the Islanders’ organization?

Iskhakov Catches Scout’s Eyes

Iskhakov’s introduction to professional hockey was at age 15 playing in Russia’s U16 league. He played in his hometown, Moscow, for Spartak Moskva U16. During his first season with Spartak Moskva U16, the 2015-16 season, Iskhakov generated 11 goals and 30 points through 28 games.

However, it wasn’t until Iskhakov left his home country, that he got serious NHL Draft recognition. After he turned 16 in 2016, Iskhakov joined HK Trnava, a U18 club in Slovakia. Despite being on the younger side of the players, Iskhakov blew the league out of the water. His 42 goals and 62 assists totaled 104 points through 44 games, which led the league by a wide margin. 

His unbelievable season brought him back to Moscow, where he began playing in the MHL, the minor-league for Russia’s top league, the KHL. On his new team, Iskhakov registered a solid six goals and 30 points in 33 games. He also scored 21 points in 24 games with Russia’s U18 International Team that year. After this season, he was eligible for the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.

Ruslan Iskhakov Gets Drafted by Islanders

Slated to be taken in the top two rounds, the Islanders had their eye on Ruslan Iskhakov. Following a trade that sent defenseman Travis Hamonic to the Calgary Flames, the Islanders had four draft picks in the first two rounds of the 2018 NHL Draft. With their two first-round selections, the Islanders drafted defenseman Noah Dobson and winger Oliver Wahlstrom. In the second round, they went defense again, drafting Bode Wilde. With their final second-round pick, wanting young talent up front, the Islanders took Iskhakov 43rd overall.

Following his NHL Draft selection, Iskhakov turned 18 and moved to the United States to play college hockey. He enrolled at the University of Connecticut (UConn), where he was the only true Russian on the team. During the season, Iskhakov scored 21 points in 32 games as a freshman, good for third on the team. For his sophomore season in 2019-20, Iskhakov was joined by fellow Russian Yan Kuznetsov, also a future second-round pick. During that season, Iskhakov remained consistent but didn’t show much improvement, posting another 21 point season in the same number of games.

Heading Back to Europe

After his sophomore season at UConn, Iskhakov believed he had the best chance to make his NHL dreams come true by spending time closer to family back in Europe. But where could he go? Back to Russia? Back to Slovakia? No. Iskhakov agreed to join TPS Turku, a team in the Liiga, Finland’s top hockey league. Here, he truly broke out. Playing against professionals of all ages for the first time, 20-year-old Iskhakov managed to record 10 goals and 38 points through 54 games, tied for third on the team with Rangers prospect Lauri Pajuniemi. Turku TPS reached the Liiga Finals for the first time since 2010 but lost to Rauman Lukko. During the 13 playoff games, Iskhakov played in all of them and registered seven points.

Before this year, Iskhakov’s future in the NHL was questionable. But this season, he was playing his best hockey we’ve ever seen and proved he can put up numbers against fully grown professionals.

Style of Play and Comparison

Ruslan Iskhakov is a mature two-way forward. He doesn’t let his relatively small size stop him from being physical both on the boards and in the open ice. Offensively, he is a pass-first forward and likes to play it to his wing.

My comparison for Iskhakov is Penguins center and Minnesota State alumnus Teddy Blueger. Blueger definitely has some size, both height and weight on Iskhakov, but plays a very similar style. Both have quick backchecks, are aggressive, and can fight off a screener in front of the net. Bleuger mainly plays a bottom-six role due to the Penguins’ plethora of depth, however, could likely handle a middle-six role. Once Iskhakov reaches his prime, he could be a third-line center, or maybe crack the second-line, and score around 30 points in an 82-game season.

Now three years removed from being drafted, he may receive an entry-level contract this summer. Ruslan Iskhakov would likely start in the AHL with the Bridgeport Islanders, kicking off their inaugural season after previously being named the ‘Sound Tigers’ for about two decades. If he plays well there, he may receive a nine-game trial to test his abilities at the NHL level.

Ben Kule

Die-Hard Islanders fan and writer from Plainview, Long Island, NY. I have a passion and knowledge for this team and I enjoy sharing that with others