Islanders team president Lou Lamoriello continued his work Saturday at the NHL draft, picking up two much-needed centers for the team’s prospect pool, in addition to a defenseman and another right winger.
Those four picks concluded the draft for the Islanders, who selected Swedish winger Simon Holmstrom in Friday’s first round.
“We were pretty happy. We ended up getting four forwards [in total], two of them center-iceman, and different types,” Lamoriello told reporters following the draft in Vancouver, British Columbia. “One [has] size and strength, one [is] a little chippy and with a little grit behind him, a lot of finesse. And we’ll have them all at the prospect camp this week. So, everybody will have a chance to see him.”
In the fifth and sixth rounds, the Islanders secured their centers, taking Reece Newkirk first at 147th overall and Felix Bibeau at 178th. Bibeau, 20, is the one with size and strength, 6-foot and 187 pounds according to Lamoriello. Newkirk, 18, is a hard-nosed, point producer coming off a tremendous season in the WHL.
Both are known to be team-first centers who will compete on both ends of the ice. Bibeau is a crafty passer who recorded 69 points (28 goals, 41 assists) in 63 games of the 2018-19 QMJHL season. Newkirk posted 59 points in 68 games, along with a plus-12 rating last season.
The Islanders used their second-round pick to take 6-foot-4 defenseman Samuel Bolduc of the QMJHL at 57th overall. The 18-year-old went higher than expected, but Lamoriello said he was confident in the decision.
“Well, you’ll see when you see him. He’s got a lot of grit,” Lamoriello told reporters. “He’s like a Scott Mayfield type of player.”
Bolduc comes with solid skating abilities and strong edgework. He can use his large frame to battle in front of the net and along the boards, making him an overwhelming physical presence on the ice.
Rounding out the Islanders’ draft class was Cole Coskey. Over the course of four years in the OHL, Coskey continued to improve. He recorded 63 points (31 goals, 32 assists) in 52 games last season for the Saginaw Spirit of the OHL.
All of the Islanders’ prospects will report to development camp this upcoming week.
Meet the Islanders
Samuel Bolduc
Pick: Round 2 (57)
Team: Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)
Position: D | Age: 18
Height, Weight: 6-4, 212
Skinny: Coming off of his best season in the QMJHL, the Isles take a two-way defender with substantial size. Recorded 37 points (nine goals, 28 assists) in 65 games, but finished at a concerning minus-32 this past season. Can transition at high speeds easily with solid skating abilities and edgework. Known for a good first pass and jumpstarting rushes, he can eventually develop into a creative playmaker. Will battle in front of the net and along the boards, as well as hit the ice to block shots. Needs to continue working on developing his shot.
Reece Newkirk
Pick: Round 5 (147)
Team: Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
Position: C | Age: 18
Height, Weight: 5-11, 170
Skinny: An on-the-rise, Canadian point producer who makes it happen despite standing slightly undersized for a center. Finished his first season in the WHL with just 11 points and minus-one on the season and then posted nearly 59 points in 68 games with a plus-12 rating the following season. Will compete on both ends of the ice.
Felix Bibeau
Pick: Round 6 (178)
Team: Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
Position: C | Age: 20
Height, Weight: 6-0, 187
Skinny: Known as a passionate player who has a lot of love for the game and plays like it. Posted back-to-back 60-plus point seasons in the QMJHL. A crafty passer who is dedicated to improving his creativity on the ice.
Cole Coskey
Pick: Round 7 (209)
Team: Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
Position: RW | Age: 20
Height, Weight: 6-1, 201
Skinny: Was a consistently improving player for four years in the OHL. Recorded 63 points (31 goals, 31 assists) in 52 games last season with eight points in 13 playoff games.