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February has been okay for the New York Islanders
In addition to continuing an 8-2-2 run under interim head coach Doug Weight — who seems to be the right guy at the right time for the roster — two highly touted Isles prospects, each of whom were on on the NHL roster earlier this season, have been named Player of the Week in their respective leagues.
Start with Ryan Pulock, who appeared in one NHL game this season only to have his season interrupted by a broken foot and other injuries. He’s been back and healthy for AHL Bridgeport for a while and is piling up promising numbers at age 23.
Last week Pulock earned AHL Player of the Week honors by scoring two goals including the overtime winner against Springfield, then adding the only goal in a 1-0 win over the Providence Bruins. He now has 22 points and 10 goals in 27 games from the blueline.
Ryan Pulock's second goal of the night gives @TheSoundTigers the extra point in a 4-3 OT win over the @thunderbirdsahl. #SPRvsBRI pic.twitter.com/ySnWgHg2fM
— AHL (@TheAHL) February 8, 2017
Further down the prospect pipeline, but perhaps closer to NHL stardom, center Mathew Barzal continued to light up the WHL for the Seattle Thunderbirds.
A gaudy 15 points in four games earned Barzal WHL Player of the Week honors. He reached that with 14 assists, including a career-high six-point night in an 8-5 win over regional rival Portland.
As it so happens, here's the one goal that Barzal scored this week to go along with his 14 assists. #Isles pic.twitter.com/Mf2EVwlVv7
— Dan Saraceni (@cultureoflosing) February 13, 2017
That’s helped the Thunderbirds climb to the top of their division with 18 wins in their last 20, keyed largely by a top line centered by Barzal, who started the 2016-17 season with the Islanders but only appeared in two NHL games.
The Isles still have some top-notch prospects, is what we’re saying.