The Islanders’ prospect camp has put size front and center, and Thursday night’s scrimmage made that impossible to miss.
In front of a packed crowd at Northwell Health Ice Center, the Islanders’ young players played a lively, high-scoring game that produced nine goals over two periods of 4-on-4 action. The organization has been restocking its prospect pipeline, and the blend of size and grit added through the draft and collegiate free agency was on display throughout the night.
Gleb Veremyev was one of the biggest standouts. The 6-foot-5 center from New Jersey scored twice in the scrimmage and then added the deciding goal in the shootout.
Signed by Lou Lamoriello after his junior season at Colorado College, Veremyev had already shown flashes in the preseason last year, including a two-goal outing against the NY Rangers. But his regular season was uneven, with time split between the Bridgeport Islanders and the Worcester Raiders of the ECHL.
After the game, Veremyev made it clear he felt a point had to be made.
“I had something to prove a little bit going into this weekend,” Veremyev said after last night's scrimmage. “After the year I had, I kind of had a little extra chip on my shoulder, so I kind of gave it all I had, and it felt good.”
Another big body making noise was Daniil Prokhorov, the Islanders’ second-round pick in 2025. The 6-foot-6 Russian winger showed off both his size and skill on one of the night’s best goals, using his frame and speed to hold off a defender before carrying the puck across the front of the net and beating the goalie. Prokhorov has spent time in the KHL, VHL and MHL, and he’s set to begin his first season in North America, likely with the Hamilton Hammers in their inaugural season.
Malte Gustafsson, this year’s first-round pick, offered a different kind of impact. The 18-year-old defenseman stands nearly 6-foot-5 and didn’t need to force the issue to stand out. His skating looked smooth and easy, and his defensive presence fit the profile teams hunt for when they spend a premium pick on a blueliner.
None of Veremyev, Prokhorov or Gustafsson are expected to open the season in the NHL, but all three are moving along the path toward the big club.
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