Islanders Youth Making a Point

In a season riddled with injury and disappointment the Islanders organization has had to look to the team's minor-league affiliate - the Bridgeport Sound Tigers for players to fill vacant roster spots previously occupied by proven NHL players.

Mike Halmo, Anders Lee, Brock Nelson, Ryan Strome, Johan Sundstrom, Calvin De Haan, Matt Donovan, and Anders Nilsson have all seen time in the AHL this season; with some having more extensive stints than others. Then there's Kevin Czuczman, who the Islanders signed this past week, after he completed his junior year at Lake Superior State. The 23 year old made his NHL debut Tuesday against Minnesota.

But, many of the youth have made a case to remain with the big club permanently, for next season. Since being called up on February 24th, Anders Lee has six goals in ten games played, he also has four assists, which lift his points total to an even ten. In the absence of John Tavares, Lee has seen extensive time on the team's top line, a spot which the Edina, Minnesota native has earned, from his on ice efforts.

Ryan Strome is on his second NHL tour of the season. Before being sent to Bridgeport for the Olympic break, the former number five overall draft pick had one goal and three assists, in a 15 game stint with the Islanders. Since being recalled in late February, Strome has tallied three goals and three assists, while playing consistently on the Islanders third line. But, stats aren't everything. The 20 year old from Mississauga, Ontario has shown that has the hockey IQ to succeed at a high level in the NHL.

Although a laundry list of Islanders forwards have seen their share of injury, the Islanders blue line has had players shuffled in and out all season long, due to injury and performance. One player who was called up and never looked back is Calvin De Haan. Since taking Matt Donovan's roster spot on November 28th, De Haan has impressed many, enough to appear in in fourty-four games this season.

It was unclear as to how long De Haan would last at the NHL level, due to concern about shoulder injuries, which the 6'1" d-man has seen twice, which both required major surgery. Staying healthy has made the 2009 12th overall pick one of the more reliable men on the Islanders point, which has been decimated this season.

All of the Islanders youth look to continue to prove that they belong in the NHL. With 12 games to play in the season, some of the players have something to play for.