Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; A general view as hockey fans arrive before the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

New York Islanders Won’t Be Able To Afford T.J. Oshie

New York Islanders Won’t Be Able To Afford T.J. Oshie by Matt O'Leary

The New York Islanders had their prospect, Otto Koivula, named with the Finnish Liiga’s Rookie Of The Year honor playing with Ilves.

Not even a year ago the New York Islanders selected Otto Koivula in the fourth round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. The 18-year old Finland native was playing for a junior team in Finland when he was drafted.

He put up solid junior numbers the year the Isles selected him. He had 26 goals and 32 assists for 58 points which yielded him being selected with the120th pick overall.

He actually had this sick game winner to win the Finnish Junior Championship:

Now that’s using your head! (I’ll see myself out now).

If you’ve forgotten about him, like I had before we received this friendly tweet from Marco Bombino who writes about hockey prospects:

#Isles prospect Otto Koivula has been named rookie of the year in the Finnish Liiga. @eyesonislesFS @LHHockey — Marco Bombino (@marco_bombino) May 5, 2017

Follow @eyesonislesFS

Then here’s what he did this year with Ilves. In his rookie campaign, he put up 10 goals and 20 assists for 30 points. For reference, he played in 50 games during the regular season. His playoff numbers were pretty solid as well. In 10 games he had a couple of goals and three assists for five points.

If you’re curious you can see some of his highlights from this year right here as well:

He seems like someone who is in the right place at the right time. I guess a good comparison would be a Finnish poor man’s Anders Lee. They actually have similar body types as well as Lee is 6’3″ 228 pounds and Koivula is 6’4″ 220 pounds.

Will we ever see Koivula in an Islanders uniform? God only knows but at least we know he’s having success at his current level.

Follow @mattolearyny