Michael Dal Colle

The 23-year-old enjoyed a very strong stint with AHL Bridgeport in 2018-19, but it didn't translate at the NHL level. He didn't receive many opportunities to play for the Islanders, but in 28 games, he only had three goals and seven points. Dal Colle somewhat improved as the season progressed, though, registering two goals and five points in his last 14 regular-season NHL contests. In the AHL, Dal Colle posted 18 goals and 34 points in 34 games. It would be nice to see what he can do with a full-time NHL role in 2019-20, but if everyone is healthy, Dal Colle doesn't appear to have a spot in the Islanders' starting lineup.

He turned 22 years young in June, but Dal Colle's stock has been falling for quite some time. Once considered a consensus top-50 prospect, the 2015 fifth overall pick has dressed for just four NHL games, all of which came last season, and he has zero points to his name. The Islanders using roster spots on aging veterans is partially to blame, but other prospects such as Josh Ho-Sang have passed Dal Colle as well. At AHL Bridgeport last season, the winger posted 15 goals and 41 points in 75 games. He will likely start next season in the AHL, so Dal Colle remains useful only in dynasty leagues with expansive rosters.

Dal Colle got his first taste of professional hockey last season by playing three games with Bridgeport of the AHL. He was scoreless in those games but the promotion represented the next step in his ascent to the NHL. Absent a rash of injuries to the current Islander forwards Dal Colle is slated to play a full season at Bridgeport this season. He could be called up at some point but would have to prove he is ready for such a promotion first. What he does best is put the biscuit in the basket. He could eventually be the answer to who plays on the top line with John Tavares as Dal Colle is a 30-plus goal scorer waiting to happen. The Isles have had mixed results of late though with their top draft picks as several haven't panned out so they are likely to act on the cautious side when it comes to bringing Dal Colle up for good.

Dal Colle is just 19 years old and has never played a game in the Islanders system, yet is arguably their top prospect. The fifth overall pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, Dal Colle had another huge season for the Oshawa Generals of the OHL, widely considered the top major junior league in Canada. In just 56 games, he scored 42 goals and added 51 assists after putting up 95 points the season before. At 6-foot-3 and a shade under 200 pounds, Dal Colle could probably use a few extra pounds on his frame in order to survive the stresses of a NHL season. While he may not crack the Isles' roster in 2015-16, the future is bright for the Ontario native, as his NHL debut is not too far off in the future.

Dal Colle was the Islanders' top choice in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, and although most agree he has a bright NHL future, it won't be this season. The Islanders have had mixed success with their young forwards in the past. John Tavares was a hit and Kyle Okposo looks to be headed that way, while Josh Bailey and Nino Niederreiter (traded to Minnesota) appear to be misses. The jury is still out on Ryan Strome. Some might say the organization has a problem nurturing their young forwards; the Islanders can only hope Dal Colle won't continue that pattern.