Four days into training camp and after just one preseason game, the Islanders’ young prospects already look right at home.
Sunday’s 2-1 preseason defeat to the Devils may have raised more questions about some veteran Islanders than the organization’s emerging talent. The more Victor Eklund plays, the more he resembles a player who belongs on the 23-man roster.
Cole Eiserman and Kashawn Aitcheson remain long shots to make the opening-night lineup, but both prospects have made a strong case against treating that outcome as inevitable.
“I thought I played pretty well,” Eiserman said after scoring the Islanders’ lone goal with a power-play one-timer from the right-hand dot. “There were a few moments I thought I could learn from, but obviously that’s the game. I’m gonna be watching film and seeing what I can do.”
Eiserman lined up on the second unit alongside Matthew Highmore and Pierre Engvall, while the Islanders’ 7:05 of power-play time provided the young forward with additional opportunities.
Although Eklund did not appear on the scoresheet, he delivered one of the game’s standout moments. His smooth pass found Cal Ritchie in the slot for a Grade-A scoring chance, and Eklund also showed his toughness and determination along the boards.
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With both the Islanders and Devils using lineups dominated by prospects, firm conclusions are difficult to draw. Still, when Eklund’s performance is measured against the teammates competing with him for a roster spot — including Engvall, Ondrej Palat and Mitchell Chaffee, all of whom played Sunday — the advantage was clear.
“He’s just a real good hockey player,” coach Pete DeBoer said of Eklund. “Can play in any situation. Dog on a bone on the puck out there. If he continues to do what he’s doing, he’s gonna make us have to make some really tough decisions.”
Vladimir Dravecky also strengthened his case, logging 18:39 of ice time and recording an assist. The fifth-round pick continued to stand out during an impressive camp.
“We threw him right in running the first power play,” DeBoer said. “A lot of ice time for, that’s his first real pro hockey game. He’s probably the youngest kid on the ice or one of them for sure. Thought he did a great job. He’s had a great camp.”
Marshall Warren was on the ice for both Devils goals and committed the turnover that ultimately led to Connor Brown’s game-winning goal.