Islanders Top 25 Under 25
A semi-annual ranking of the top 25 New York Islanders prospects and players under 25 years of age.
Top 25U25: #8 Anders Lee, power forward of dreams?
Anders Lee's exciting NHL debut at the end of 2012-13 was a cool story, but it masked some weaknesses. In 2013-14, Lee appeared to be making all the necessary adjustments to excel.
Top 25U25: Pulock, the other WHL meat at #9
After four consecutive years holding a fifth-overall or better pick, the New York Islanders' reward for a 2013 playoff appearance was a 15th-overall selection in the NHL draft. They could have done worse than Ryan Pulock.
Top 25U25: #10 Go ahead & skip the Bailey thread
In all the six(!) years of Lighthouse Hockey discourse, there have certainly been more volatile and more nausea-inducing topics than the debate over Josh Bailey.
Top 25U25: At #11, Donovan shedding skin?
At age 24 and due a qualifying offer, has Donovan established himself just in time?
Top 25U25: Scott Mayfield inches up to #12
There is definite value to a guy who can be a pain in the ass to good opponents -- particularly when the player is young and not in the "but I got reputation" phase of his career.
Top 25U25: At 13, Cizikas fell, can he get up?
A bulldog of a player whose engine always appears to be in high gear, Casey Cizikas by his own admission took a step back last season.
Top 25U25: At 14, Collberg is next Vanek, surely
Sebastian Collberg has skill he exhibited against his own peers, but needs to figure out how to "play with men."
Top 25U25: Adam Pelech, quietly rising
Adam Pelech fits the newer mold of Islanders defensemen draft picks: Bigger, with more focus on an all-around game.
Top 25U25: Czuczman #16 at age 23
As a fairly sought-after college free agent, Kevin Czuczman's debut was rocky, but his finish was promising. He'll have some room to prove his merit before the prospect onslaught tests him.
Top 25U25: Sundstrom (#17) shows promise, injury
Johan Sundstrom's season was interrupted by injury for the second straight year, but his brief glimpses showed some promise.
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Islanders Top 25 Under 25: Spring 2014
It was always going to be an uphill battle for Aaron Ness, whose size meant he'd have to impress with his skill and agility. He's done that, but is it enough to stick around with the New York Islanders?
Top 25U25: Dr. Pedan will crush you now (#18)
Andrey Pedan showed promise, but also injuries in his first pro season.
Top 25U25: Taylor Cammarata at #19. A small 19.
The good news is Taylor Cammarata was a creative scoring contributor in his first season (NCAA) with an absolutely stacked Minnesota Gophers team. The bad news is he's still 5'7.
Top 25U25: At #20, John Persson has company
John Persson's second pro season did not go as planned, as injuries limited him to 46 games on the last-place Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
Top 25U25: #21, Crus Rydberg's fun to say.
Victor Crus Rydberg was drafted as a potential value pick in last summer's fifth round, billed as a two-way player with good hockey sense and a willingness to learn the North American game.
Top 25U25: Any room left for #22 Aaron Ness?
It was always going to be an uphill battle for Aaron Ness, whose size meant he'd have to impress with his skill and agility. He's done that, but is it enough to stick around with the New York Islanders?
Top 25U25: At #23, Kirill Petrov one more time
What can I say, I'm a Kirill Petrov fan? If he made the oceanic leap, I'm confident he'd be an immediate contributor as a smart middle-six guy for the New York Islanders.
Top25U25: #24 - Kabanov's journey...and descent?
It's long past time to use words like "first-round talent" and "would have been in the mix except for..." about Kirill Kabanov, who still has the talent but can't seem to convince a team to depend on it.
Top 25U25: Halmo grinds against the odds to #25
No "pedigree" to speak of, but earning an NHL job wouldn't be the first time Mike Halmo beat the odds.
Top 25U25: Bastards (outsiders with 1 vote or so)
Previously we showed you the few who, like Emmett Fitz-Hume in "Spies Like Us," attended the reading of a 25U25 poll and found out they got nothing. Today's lucky players at least received one vote from some charitable fellow.
Top 25U25: Not these guys, nope
We begin our pre-draft look at the top 25 New York Islanders under age 25 by perusing the youngsters who didn't make the cut.
#1 on Top 25U25: Dear Mr. and Mrs. Tavares...
We conclude our list with a rubber stamp...and a letter home to parents.
Isles Top 25U25: Travis Hamonic hangs on to #2
In a ranking that shocked absolutely no one, Travis hangs on to #2.
Isles Top 25U25: At #3 Ryan Strome, pending star?
Temper your expectations and... aww hell, bring on the hype: Ryan Strome is almost here.
Isles Top 25U25: Bailey, not yet 24, in at #4
Every time someone counts Josh Bailey out, he scores his way back in.
Top 25U25: Nelson progressing all the way to #5
The "other" 2010 first-round pick's trajectory has proceeded according to plan.
Isles Top 25U25: #6 Cizikas steps into role
The Isles #53 can rock a forecheck and a mustache.
Isles Top 25U25: Nino the promising enigma at #7
As far as we know, his agent has not requested he be removed from this list.
Martin hits way to #8 on Isles Top 25 Under 25
The physical record hit-maker is valued but could add more to his game.
Don't Count Petrov Out Just Yet?
Kirill Petrov's agent says he could still sign with the Islanders in 2014-15.
Isles Top 25U25: Griffin Reinhart at #9
Last summer's top pick sneaks into our top 10 after another strong junior season.
Isles Top 25U25: #10 Matt Donovan, Streit Jr.?
After two years in Bridgeport, the Oklahoman and U. of Denver product is positioned to take an NHL role.