New York Islanders 2023 Draft Review

The 2023 NHL Draft has come to an end, and the New York Islanders have added five new players to their organization. Let’s look at how Lou Lamoriell0 and Co. faired this week in Nashville.

Round 2; Pick 49: Danny Nelson, Center, United States

With their first pick in this year’s draft, the Islanders selected Danny Nelson, a center from the United States development team. In 62 games with the U.S. U18 team last year, Nelson totaled 47 points with 21 goals. During the team’s run to winning the bronze medal at the World Junior Championship, Nelson totaled seven points with four goals.

The NHL Central Scouting ranked Nelson 22nd among North American skaters in this year’s draft class.

At 6’3 and 212 pounds, the young forward fits right in line with the power forward archetype that the Islanders love. Only 17 years old, Nelson should only get bigger and stronger over the next few years while he plays at the University of Notre Dame.

Round 4; Pick 113: Jesse Nurmi, Left Wing, Finland

If Nelson was the Islanders’ pick to add size and strength, they used their second pick to add more playmaking and finesse to their system by selecting winger Jesse Nurmi. Considered to have puck skills comparable to a more seasoned player, Nurmi’s draft stock was hindered by his size at 5’11 and 180 pounds.

Although undersized, Nurmi is the type of player the Islanders need more of. The 18-year-old posted 50 points in 41 games while playing in the Finnish Elite League in 2o22-23.

Round 5; Pick 145: Justin Gill, Center, Canada

The Islanders took their third straight forward by picking Justin Gill. The 20-year-old put up 93 points for the Sherbrooke Phoenix of the QMJHL last year and will spend next season playing for the Baie-Comeau Drakkar.

Gill stands at 6’1 and tops the scales at 190 pounds, and was the 114th-ranked North American forward this year by NHL Central Scouting.

Round 6; Pick 177: Zachary Schulz, Defense, United States

To add to their backend, the Islanders landed Zachary Schulz in the sixth round. Smaller compared to other defensemen, Schulz still displayed sound instincts in his own zone while playing alongside Nelson for the U.S. National Team.

In 52 games, the South Lyon, Michigan native collected 10 points while assisting on nine goals in 2022-23.

Round 7; Pick 209: Dennis Good Bogg, Defense, Sweden

If not for nothing, the Islanders came away with the player with the best name in this year’s draft, picking Dennis Good Bogg at 209 overall.

The defenseman saw limited playing time for the AIK in Sweden last year, appearing in only three games. However, Good Bogg was featured on the club’s junior team by skating in 39 games and scoring 28 points.