The Islanders’ earliest selection in the 2021 NHL Draft is 52nd overall. This pick was acquired in the trade that sent Nick Leddy to the Red Wings. As of now, the Islanders won’t partake in the first round Friday night and will begin their draft Saturday afternoon. So, here are some prospects the Islanders can potentially draft with pick number 52.

LW Ville Koivunen, Karpat

Ville Koivunen is a bit of a stretch. A team will likely draft Koivunen at the beginning of the second round. But if he’s available, the Islanders have to take him. Koiuvnen always plays hard and seems to create scoring opportunities every shift. Koivunen went off for 23 goals, 26 assists, and 49 points in just 38 games in Finland’s U20 hockey league. Ville Koivunen is everything that the Islanders are losing in Jordan Eberle’s departure to the Seattle Kraken. So, Koivunen is a fitting pick for the Islanders.

C Ryder Korczak, Moose Jaw Warriors

Ryder Korczak’s combination of superb stick-handling and an accurate shot helped him rise to the top of the WHL scoresheets for the past two years. In 2020, Korczak had 67 points in 62 games, putting him 27th in points for the entire WHL. He did take a slight step back scoring just 16 points in 17 games in this years’ shortened season. Ryder has an older brother, Kaeden, who is a former second-round draft pick himself (Vegas Golden Knights).

RW Josh Doan, Chicago Steel

Son of NHL legend Shane Doan, Josh Doan had a big year in the USHL. Doan has an exceptional hockey IQ and has proven to be successful when either passing or shooting. Doan had 31 goals and 70 points in 52 games with the Steel. His impressive year gives him hope of being a mid-to-late second-rounder, right around where the Islanders pick. Doan will attend Arizona State University next year, choosing not to leave the state, as his dad is the Coyotes’ franchise points leader. Clearly, the hockey abilities run in the family.

D Cameron Whynot, Halifax Mooseheads

Cameron Whynot might make the most sense out of any prospect for the Islanders. The last two offseasons featured Devon Toews and Nick Leddy being shipped away, and the islanders’ defensive prospect pool is thin, excluding Samuel Bolduc and Robin Salo, who both seem almost-NHL ready. Whynot is a sound two-way defenseman, who can appear bigger than he actually is on defense while helping his team score goals. He has good puck movement as well as a hard shot. Whynot really fits the Islanders’ defense, playing a similar game to Ryan Pulock. So, why not Whynot?

D Jack Peart, Fargo Force

Jack Peart has a wide range of where ha can be drafted – he can go anywhere between early-second round and early-fourth round. Peart is a small defenseman but makes up for it in physicality and aggressiveness. He is also a very smooth skater and smart passer. Peart put up 18 points in 24 USHL games with the Force, as well as leading his team with 35 points in 18 games with Grand Rapids High School in Minnesota. Peart will attend St. Cloud State University next season.

This is the choice that I would guess the Islanders make in the second round of the 2021 NHL Draft, if available.

D Aidan Hreschuk, USA Developmental Program

Another defenseman that could be on the Islanders’ radar is Aidan Hreschuk. Like Peart, Hreschuk is on the smaller side for a defenseman but is physical and mobile. Hreschuk scored 37 points in 50 USDP games, and 17 points in 23 USHL games. His playmaking abilities were on full display this year, making his high assist numbers unsurprising. The California native will attend Boston College next year.

G, Kirill Gerasimyuk, SKA St. Petersburg

The Islanders don’t really need a goaltender. But if they are unsure about how much longer Semyon Varlamov can play, they could consider drafting a goalie now. Goalies do take the longest of any position to develop and reach the NHL, so the Islanders can make this pick and have patience. Gerasimyuk had .931 save percentage in 27 MHL games, and a .913 save percentage in 5 VHL games. I can see Gerasimyuk reaching the KHL and breaking out someday, similar to current Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin.

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