The first glimpse of Islanders hockey since the end of the 2025-26 season came in New Jersey, and the prospects wearing the logo made it count in a 5-4 overtime win over the Devils’ prospects.
This was only an exhibition, but the Islanders’ top young players still managed to separate themselves from the pack. The night belonged to the names fans already have circled, and they delivered in different ways.
Daniil Prokhorov made his presence felt right away. His frame was impossible to miss, and he used it to do damage around the net, scoring twice from close range.
At nearly 6'6", he backed up the size with touch, showing soft hands while protecting the puck from defenders. He also arrived to camp carrying nearly 15 pounds more than he had over the summer.
Victor Eklund added one of the game’s best moments. On a 2-on-1, he gave the look of a pass before snapping a no-look shot that beat the goaltender over the shoulder.
The Swedish winger was active from the opening faceoff and, with an NHL point already on his résumé, looked like someone who could force the issue for an opening night roster spot. Even if he’s not there yet, the source of his next appearance shouldn’t be hard to guess: UBS Arena.
Cole Eiserman stayed quieter for most of the night, then came alive when it mattered most. With less than two minutes left and the goalie pulled, he jumped on a rebound to tie the game. Then in overtime, he wasted no time on a 2-on-1, driving toward the middle of the ice and dragging the puck in close before ripping a shot over the pad for the winner.
For a rookie game, it was a strong statement from the Islanders’ headline prospects. They made sure the night was theirs.
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