Welcome to Today’s edition of “Top Shelf Prospects”. As we go through the Summer of 2013 I will be featuring a team-by-team look at the top prospects in the NHL. I will go team by team through the NHL bringing you a look at each Teams Top Prospects. I will be following the order of the first round of the NHL draft (as if there were no traded draft picks). You can find all the articles here. Since we had an extensive NHL Draft preview, I will not be reviewing the players who were drafted in the 2013 draft, as there have been no games since then, and my reports on them will not have changed. What I will be doing is linking you to those articles, as well as taking a look at prospects that were acquired before this year’s draft; their progress, and their chances of making the 2013-14 roster of the NHL team in question. I will also bring you one sleeper pick – a player who was either drafted in the 4th-round or later, or was an undrafted free agent signing who I pick as my darkhorse to make the NHL. For those wondering, the cut-off for what is or isn’t a prospect is typically about 50 NHL games played or being 25 years old. These are not hard or fast rules though, and I may make some exceptions depending on the circumstances (especially due to the fact that the latest NHL season was only 48 games).

The New York Islanders shocked the hockey establishment last season, making the playoffs for the first time since the 2006-07 season. 2009 first overall draft pick John Tavares took yet another step forward becoming a legitimate Hart Trophy candidate, and in the words of one LWOS analyst, should have won the award. But he wasn’t the only young player who continues to improve and give the Isles hope for the future. Travis Hamonic emerged as a legitimate number one defenceman; while Kyle Okposo and Josh Bailey continued to grow into the role of secondary scoring threats. Once in the playoffs, the Islanders gave the heavily favored Penguins all they could handle in a tough 6 game series. For a young team, the Isles took real steps forward in the 2013 season.

The 2013 draft saw the Isles get a real steal when Ryan Pulock fell to their spot at 15th overall. He joins a strong group of blue line prospects who will help lead the Islanders to more playoff appearances, as they make their move to the Barclay’s Centre going forward. With the issue of finding a new home finally settled, it is now time for the Islanders to focus on continuing to grow on the ice.

2013 Draft Picks Reviewed by LWOS: Ryan Pulock, Victor Crus-Rydberg,

Graduated: Casey Cizikas, David Ullstrom,

Top Prospect: Ryan Strome, Centre

Born Jul 11 1993 — Mississauga, ONT

Height 6.01 — Weight 183 — Shoots Right

Selected by the New York Islanders in round 1 #5 overall at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft

Ryan Strome had another fantastic season with the Niagara Ice Dogs, averaging nearly two points per game. Despite playing only 53 games, after missing a bunch playing for Team Canada at the World Juniors and trying out for the Islanders, he still finished 6th in OHL scoring with 94 points. However lacking support in Niagara, the Ice Dogs suffered a five game first round playoff loss. That wasn’t the end of Strome’s season though, as he went on to join the Islanders AHL affiliate in Bridgeport, putting up 7 points in 10 regular season games for the Sound Tigers.

Strome has all the offensive talent you would look for in a young player. He is a terrific skater with good top end speed and great acceleration. This acceleration gives Strome the ability to fool defenders by changing speeds on the rush. When he gets half a step to the outside he is able to turn it into another gear and drive past his opponent and get to the net. He also has terrific agility and edgework which help him to gain that half a step necessary to beat defenders in this way. Strome is also a terrific stickhandler, with great puck protection, and silky smooth hands and moves (click here to see the goal that made Strome a youtube sensation). Add to that the creativity and confidence to try anything and Strome is extremely dangerous off the rush. Strome has the vision and creativity to be an outstanding playmaker as he is able to feather passes through the smallest of openings, and set up teammates with tape to tape passes to create quality scoring chances. As a sniper, he is NHL ready, having a fantastic wrist shot and release, an excellent slapshot, and a great one timer.

Strome’s issues are on the defensive side of the puck. He improved that aspect of his game last year but there is still a ways to go. He needs to get better in the face-off circle especially if he is to go head to head with the best the NHL has to offer. He also needs to work on his defensive zone coverage as he does have a tendency to puck watch and stop moving his feet which can cause him to be beaten by his man in coverage. He could also stand to add some upper body strength for when he will be required to contain bigger, stronger pros off the cycle.

The Islanders hope that Strome can eventually team with John Tavares to provide the team with an elite 1-2 Punch at the centre position. The team has been very patient with Strome’s development at this point, as they haven’t even given him the tryout games at the NHL level the past two years. Given his talent he looks NHL ready and in my opinion should be able to crack the lineup this fall. However, given the patience the Islanders have taken, it would not be surprising if they want to see Strome play a half season or even full year at the AHL level.

Prospect #2 Griffin Reinhart, Defence,

Born Jan 24 1994 — West Vancouver, BC

Height 6.04 — Weight 202 — Shoots Left

Selected by the New York Islanders in round 1 #4 overall at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft

Coming off a WHL Championship and bringing back another strong team, big things were expected of Reinhart and the Oil Kings this year. Named the Oil Kings captain, Reinhart and the team started slow this year under the weight of those expectations. However once things he found his groove, he brought the same two-way play that got him taken fourth overall by the Isles in the 2012 NHL Draft. He would lead the Oil Kings to a first place finish in their division and the Eastern Conference Final against the Calgary Hitmen. However in the Conference Championship disaster struck, as Reinhart was cut by the skate of Calgary’s Jaynen Rissling. The cut severed a ligament in Reinhart’s foot and took him out of the playoffs. While the Oil Kings would defeat Calgary in seven games, they would greatly miss Reinhart in the WHL final, and would fall to the Portland Winterhawks. The only saving grace is that the injury is not expected to effect Reinhart’s offseason training or his availability come next season.

Reinhart comes from good bloodlines as he is the son of former Calgary Flames Defenceman Paul Reinhart. Reinhart is already 6’4 and over 200 lbs, he is a huge presence in the defensive zone. However while he sometimes throws big hits, he really doesn’t play that physical game as consistently as he could, and I’d like to see him be more physically punishing to opposition forwards. Despite this, Reinhart is still a true shut down defenceman, with excellent positioning in the his own zone, and his big frame and long stick allow him to block shots and effectively cut down passing lanes. He also uses his great size and strength to keep the Oil Kings’ crease clear and to win board battles in the corners and is very effective in doing so.

Reinhart has also displayed some offensive potential. He has a booming slapshot and excellent wrist shot which he unleashes from the point. Reinhart makes quality passes both as part of his team’s breakout, and in the offensive zone. Reinhart also has excellent offensive instincts and hockey sense, as he is quick to exploit gaps in opponent’s teams defensive coverage and chooses the right moments to pinch in. Reinhart could use some work on his stickhandling and puck control as he is merely average in this area. Overall he looks like more of a powerplay trigger man than a quarterback though, as he just doesn’t have the poise and patience with the pick to set up plays at the blue line.

Reinhart is improving as a skater. He has lengthened his choppy stride and improved his top end speed and acceleration. He will likely never be elite in this regard, but he has moved himself from average to good, and better edgework and agility have helped him in dealing with small and quick forwards.

Reinhart is one of those ‘tweener prospects at this point in his career. As a 1994 birthdate he is too young to be AHL eligible this season (at least until the Oil Kings are eliminated), and as such the Islanders will face the training camp dilemna of sending him back to Edmonton or keeping him up in the NHL. His play at the WHL level indicates he’s ready to take the next step, but it doesn’t scream NHL ready either. With that in mind, I would expect to see Reinhart back in the WHL and competing for Canada at the 2014 World Junior Championships, where he still has 3 games remaining on a suspension he received in the 2013 tournament.

Top Prospect #3: Brock Nelson, Centre/Left Wing

Born Oct 15 1991 — Warroad, MN

Height 6.03 — Weight 205 — Shoots Left

Selected by the New York Islanders in round 1, #30 overall at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft

After an impressive two years at the University of North Dakota, Brock Nelson turned pro last year, and spent the season in the AHL with Bridgeport. While he missed some time after suffering a broken jaw in December, he still put in an impressive rookie campaign in the AHL scoring 25 goals and 52 points in 66 games. He showed much in Bridgeport playing a top 6 role, including powerplay and penalty killing time. It was enough to get Nelson a callup where he played his first NHL game for the Islanders in the playoffs against Pittsburgh.

Nelson is the prototypical power forward prospect. He has great size and a strong and powerful skating stride. He has great speed, agility and balance and can drive a defenceman wide on the rush and take the puck hard to the net. He has quick soft hands in tight and can score off the rush, or on tip ins, and rebounds when set up in front of the net. He has an NHL ready wrist shot and release which he uses to great effect if defenders back off too much on him as they have to respect that ability to drive the net. Nelson also has a great one timer, which he often unleashes on the powerplay. Nelson uses his outstanding size and strength to win battles on the boards, and to fight for space in front of the net.

Nelson is also known for his defensive ability. He is a tenacious backchecker who pressures the puck smartly and efficiently. He continues to use his size and strength to win board battles. Nelson contains opponents to the outside and does a great job of always keeping himself between his man and the net. His long reach helps him to cut down passing lanes and create turnovers. Going forward Nelson has the complete package.

After a year in Bridgeport getting accustomed to the professional game, Nelson will head to Islanders camp ready to push for a spot on the big club. A good camp could certainly help him earn his stay, but even if sent back to the AHL, I do expect he will finish the season in Long Island as he has the type of size and two way play up the middle that all teams covet.

Super Sleeper Prospect: Anders Lee, Centre

Born Jul 3 1990 — Edina, MN

Height 6.03 — Weight 220 — Shoots L

Selected by New York Islanders round 6 #152 overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft

Anders Lee finished another successful season with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and then chose to turn pro, signing his entry level contract with the New York Islanders. He even got in his first two NHL games, scoring a goal and adding an assist for the Isles down the stretch.

A big and strong forward, Lee plays the prototypical power forward game, protecting the puck well, having great balance on his skates, and using his speed and acceleration to drive the net hard. He is an excellent forechecker who opposing defenders always have to be aware of, or they can find themselves on the wrong end of a thunderous body check. Lee is a natural goal scorer who has soft hands in tight and a powerful shot with an excellent release. His playmaking game is developing, but he is very much a shoot first player, which could see him eventually make the move to left wing at the pro game.

Lee also plays a two way game. He was a key penalty killer for Notre Dame, using his excellent size and long reach to block shots and cut down passing lanes. He is also very strong in the faceoff circle which is a reason he has remained at centre to this point in his career.

Lee will battle with Brock Nelson, and others in trying to find a place on the Isles main roster this fall. However it would not be surprising to see him spend a year in the AHL getting accustomed to the long season and the bigger, faster, and stronger opponents at the pro level before he breaks into the NHL. Still I predict he will prove to be an absolute steal of a 6th round pick.

The Islanders continue to have a strong stable of prospects. At the NHL draft they added Pulock to a very deep group of defence including Reinhart, Ville Pokka, Adam Pelech, Calvin DeHaan, Matt Donovan, Scott Mayfield, Aaron Ness, and Andrey Pedan. The group is so deep that the Islanders may need to explore moving some of these defencemen for help in other areas. The goaltending with Kevin Poulin in the NHL and Anders Nilsson in the AHL is also in good shape. A good group of centres to provide depth behind Tavares going forward is also present. In fact some of these centres may need to convert into wingers at the NHL level as this appears to be the one area where the Islanders could use a little help in their group.

Thanks for reading, and feel free to follow me on twitter @lastwordBKerr. Give the rest of the hockey department a follow while you’re at it – @LastWordBigMick, @TheHockeyMitch, @ddmatthews, @CanuckPuckHead, and @LastWordOnNHL, and follow the site @lastwordonsport.

Interested in writing for LastWordOnSports? If so, check out our “Join Our Team” page to find out how.

Main photo credit: circlingthewagon.wordpress.com, CC