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Wednesday, 07 July 2010 11:41 |
By Andrew McClure
The New York Islanders took another step toward respectability with the selection of Swiss-born winger Nino Niederreiter with the fifth overall pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. The 6-foot-2 Niederreiter scored 36 goals to lead the Portland Winterhawks of Western Hockey League. He also had 24 assists in 65 regular-season games, and added eight goals and eight assists in 13 postseason games. He is the highest-drafted Swiss player in league history.
Niederreiter’s outstanding play at the 2010 IIHF World U20 Championship caused a meteoric rise to his draft stock. He scored six goals and added four assists on the way to being named to the All-Tournament team. Niederreiter scored the tying goal with less than a minute to play in regulation, and added the overtime winner in a 3-2 upset victory over Russia.
Despite the fact the draft was held 3,000 miles away at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, thousands flocked to the Coliseum for the Islanders’ annual draft party. While the reaction from the fans wasn’t quite as exuberant as it was when the team selected John Tavares with last season’s top overall pick, most of the Islanders faithful believe the team is moving in the right direction.
Tavares, who attended the event with teammates Matt Moulson and Trevor Gillies, was pleased with the selection of Niederreiter. “Garth and our scouting staff did their homework, and believe Nino will be a great player for us,” Tavares said. “He had a great World Juniors. I’m excited about what he was able to do on the big stage.” Tavares says the stress fracture to his right foot, which occurred during the world championships, is healing nicely.
Watching the relatively young Chicago Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup has Tavares itching to get his sophomore season underway. “I tried to watch every game,” he said. “The more and more I watched, it put a little bit of a rut in my stomach. It makes you want to be there, and be able to lift that trophy for the people of Long Island. We want to take big steps this season, hopefully get in the playoffs and gain some valuable experience.
Whether Niederreiter, who will turn 18 when camp open in September, is ready make the jump to the NHL remains to be seen. When he does arrive, the Islanders will be getting a gritty, two-way player whose North American style of play should make his transition to the NHL somewhat seamless.
The Islanders work was not done in the opening round. Through a trade with the Blackhawks, the Islanders grabbed the 30th overall pick. With that selection, the Islanders chose Brock Nelson, a 6-foot-3 center from Warroad High School in Minnesota. Nelson, who will play collegiately at North Dakota, picked up at least one point in all 25 games he played last season, finishing the year with 39 goals and 34 assists.
Finally, general manager Garth Snow made what many scouts believe could turn out to be the steal of the draft with his selection of 18-year old Russian right wing Kirill Kabanov in the third round. Many believe the highly-skilled Kabanov was one of the top offensive talents eligible for the draft.
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