Islanders Prospect Report: Finley, Nelson Shine in NCAA Clash, Nurmi Stays Hot, Gamzin Dominates KHL
The Islanders' pipeline was on full display this past week, with several prospects turning heads across the NCAA, OHL, and KHL. From Quinn Finley’s clutch overtime winner to Jesse Nurmi’s scoring surge and Dmitry Gamzin’s latest shutout gem, it’s been a big week for the future of the franchise.
Finley and Nelson Go Head-to-Head-and Both Deliver
When two of your top prospects face off in a tightly contested NCAA series, you hope they both show out. That’s exactly what happened this weekend when Quinn Finley (Wisconsin) and Danny Nelson (Notre Dame) each racked up four points in a thrilling two-game set.
Finley, the Islanders’ third-round pick in 2022, came through in the clutch Friday night. After picking up a first-period assist, the 21-year-old winger ended a five-game scoring drought in dramatic fashion-netting the overtime game-winner just 1:17 into the extra frame to lift Wisconsin to a 6-5 win.
That goal wasn’t just timely-it was vintage Finley. Quick release, confident finish, and a reminder of why the Islanders were high on his offensive upside.
He wasn’t done there. The next night, Finley stayed hot, contributing on both of Wisconsin’s first-period goals-assisting on the opener and scoring his 12th of the season to give the Badgers a 2-1 lead.
Through 26 games, Finley leads Wisconsin in goals (12) and has 23 points overall. He’s showing the kind of consistency and scoring touch that bodes well for his transition to the pro game.
On the other side, Nelson-New York’s second-rounder from 2023-was just as impactful. The Notre Dame co-captain matched Finley’s weekend output with two goals and two assists of his own. He picked up a goal and assist in Friday’s OT loss, then followed that up Saturday by setting up the Irish’s first goal before burying his 10th of the season in the second period.
Nelson now has 21 points (10G, 11A) in 27 games and has hit double-digit goals for the second straight NCAA season. His physical game and leadership qualities continue to stand out, but his offensive production is starting to catch up-and that’s a big development for the Islanders’ front office.
Nurmi Keeps Lighting the Lamp in London
Jesse Nurmi is officially rolling.
The Finnish forward, selected in the fourth round of the 2023 Draft, extended his point streak to seven games this week with another strong stretch for the London Knights. He’s now racked up 15 points (8G, 7A) during that span and is making a serious impact since arriving from the ECHL.
Nurmi followed up his first career OHL hat trick with a power-play goal in a 4-3 OT loss to Kitchener. Two nights later, he exploded for a three-point night-two goals and an assist-in a 5-4 overtime win against Niagara. That performance earned him first-star honors and marked his fourth power-play goal of the season.
He capped the week with a primary assist on a 5-on-3 goal in London’s 5-3 win over Saginaw, bringing his season totals to 20 points (11G, 9A) in just 15 games.
Nurmi currently ranks fifth on the team in goals and is tied for third in power-play goals. His ability to produce in man-advantage situations and his growing confidence in the offensive zone are encouraging signs for a player adjusting quickly to North American ice.
Gamzin Posts Another Shutout in KHL
Dmitry Gamzin is quietly putting together one of the most impressive goaltending seasons in the KHL.
The 22-year-old netminder picked up his fifth shutout of the season with a 26-save performance in CSKA Moscow’s 1-0 win over the Shanghai Dragons. While the early part of the night was relatively quiet, Gamzin turned away 13 shots in the third period to preserve the narrow lead.
This marks Gamzin’s second 1-0 shutout in his last four starts. He continues to lead the KHL in save percentage at .936, and his five shutouts are tied for the most in the league.
Drafted in the fourth round in 2024, Gamzin is proving to be a rock in net for CSKA. His poise, positioning, and ability to stay calm under pressure are all traits that translate well to the NHL level. For the Islanders, having a young goaltender developing at this pace in one of the world’s top leagues is a significant asset.
CHL and NCAA Prospect Updates
Here’s a quick look at how other Islanders prospects are performing across the junior and college ranks:
CHL Standouts:
- Kashawn Aitcheson (Barrie, OHL) continues to lead with 50 points (22G, 28A) in 41 games.
- Jacob Kvasnicka (Penticton, WHL) remains a top producer with 67 points (30G, 37A) in 49 games.
- Tomas Poletín (Kelowna, WHL) is showing scoring touch with 19 goals in 35 games.
NCAA Notables:
- Xavier Veilleux (Cornell) is quietly putting together a strong season with 21 points (5G, 16A) in 23 games.
- Cole Eiserman (Boston University) has 11 goals in 24 games, continuing to flash his elite shot.
- Sam Laurila (North Dakota) and Zachary Shultz (Wisconsin) are contributing on the blue line, while Kamil Bednarik (BU) and Tomas Machu (Providence) add depth up front.
European Watch:
- Victor Eklund (Djurgårdens, SHL) has 16 points in 34 games, showing steady growth in Sweden’s top league.
- Marcus Gidlof (Leksands, SHL) has three shutouts in 21 starts.
- Daniil Prokhorov is splitting time between three Russian leagues and producing at every level.
Final Thoughts
This week was a showcase of the Islanders’ depth across all levels of development. Finley and Nelson proved they can rise to the moment in high-stakes college hockey.
Nurmi is turning heads with his scoring touch in London. And Gamzin?
He’s putting up elite numbers in one of the toughest leagues outside the NHL.
For an organization looking to build from within, these are all promising signs. The future may not be here just yet-but it’s getting closer.