2 New York Islanders Prospects Who Could Get Called Up This Season

As the season gets underway, players will begin to suffer injuries as they sacrifice their bodies for the sake of their team, not to mention the ever-present concern of a positive Covid diagnosis. Eventually, there will be players who will need to miss games, and others will need to be called in to replace them in the lineup. Here are two such prospects who could see some playing time on the New York Islanders this season.

Anatoli Golyshev

This Russian winger, drafted as a 4th-round pick in 2016, has taken his time coming over to North America. Since being drafted, Golyshev has spent the majority of his playing time with Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg of the KHL, averaging about 30 points a season in the Russian league. This year marks his first time playing on North American ice, and coach Barry Trotz was singing the 26-year old's praises coming out of training camp. The concern is that Golyshev spent too long in Russia and has missed his window to make the Isles roster. The results beg to differ. Golyshev has 3 goals in his first 4 AHL games, showcasing his skating ability and laser-like wrist shot from day 1. You couldn't ask for any more proof that the player still has something to offer in the NHL. If he keeps this production up, the Isles will be enticed into giving him a look in the big league.

Golyshev and Salo combining for a goal has to be my idea of heaven #Isles pic.twitter.com/VJNKsFPfm8

— Nicole Shirman (@nicolefshirman) October 24, 2021

Robin Salo

Here's another player who just made his North American debut and is already exceeding expectations. In this case, Salo is a defenceman selected in the second round of the 2017 draft. He has spent his playing time following that draft in Liiga and the SHL, rounding his game into that of a smooth-skating 2-way defender with a knack for producing points. Nothing about his preseason games would suggest that has changed. While Salo didn't put up any points, Isles' fans got a glimpse of the young blueliner's skating and puck-moving ability and had no trouble picturing his NHL future. He has only improved those impressions since his arrival with the AHL's Bridgeport Islanders, with 4 points in his first 6 games including an OT winner as his first goal in North American pro hockey. Salo hasn't missed a beat, and with the play of Zdeno Chara and Andy Greene not living up to expectations, a roster spot for Salo may open up sooner than later.

Which prospects do you think should get a look on the Islanders this season?

Photo credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports