Cole Eiserman has decided to make the leap, signing an NHL entry level contract with the Islanders rather than sticking around NCAA Boston University to enjoy the finer perks of college life. The USNTDP product and 2024 first-rounder finished his sophomore year at BU with continued demonstration of his NHL-plus-caliber shot and continued speculation about if and when the rest of his game will reach the level needed to unleash that shot in the orange and blue.
As a first step, he’ll try that in the
orange and blue of the AHL (still as of now) Bridgeport Islanders. He can join them ASAP, whereas fellow ELC signer Kashawn Aitcheson will have to wait until his OHL Barrie season is over.
Returning back to the NCAA though, it sounds like Danny Nelson will stick with Notre Dame for his senior season to potentially play two brothers, accomplishing in South Bend what the Hughes could not accomplish in Newark.
Oh, but that’s all Future (maybe) Islanders! We are about Present Islanders. They are in Ottawa (or Kanata, whatever) tonight to face the Senators, who are still pushing for their playoff lives but suffered a damaging loss to the Capitals in a North American Capital Derby last night. I’m not entirely sure of this, but it definitely looks like had the Senators received halfway competent goaltending through the first three quarters of the season, they’d be in a more secure position than they are now.
First Islanders Goal picks go here.
Islanders News
- Matthew Schaefer made hundreds of friends and family (and his ol’ grandma) proud in his return to Toronto, while Brayden Schenn marvels at how good the kid is. [NHL | Post]
- Cal Ritchie also put on a show in his homecoming, though. [LHH | Newsday]
- Schaefer is dominating at 18, while Eiserman is hoping to inch his way into the pros at 19. [NHL | Isles]
- It’s eight games in 13 nights, but the Islanders are in the right frame of mind to tackle it. [Newsday]
- The Skinny from the win in Toronto: “The Isles are 15 games over NHL- .500 for the first time since the end of 2021.” (Thank you, 10-0 OT record.) [Isles]
- Periodic reminder that planning on having a Schaefer land in your laps is not, actually, much of a plan. [Athletic]
- Approached about his Iron Man mask after three assists, Mathew Barzal talked about the importance of each game. [Isles]
- Oh yes: Cole Eiserman has signed. [Newsday | Isles | Post]
Elsewhere
Last night’s NHL scores included the Capitals beating the Senators in regulation and the Penguins picking up a regulation point.
- Don Waddell describes his thought process and luck in landing Rick Bowness as Blue Jackets coach, inspiring the team’s playoff push. [NHL]
- Bourne questions whether the “Core Four” in Toronto lack the competitive fire needed to save the Leafs. [Sportsnet]
- Eiserman’s BU teammate Cole Hutson has scored in his NHL debut, part of taking down the Senators. [Sportsnet]
- Looking at the very not-inspiring summer UFA class. [Sportsnet]
