New York Islanders Top-10 players under 24

4. Bode Wilde (19), Defenseman, 2018 2nd round, 43rd overall

Boom! Bode Wilde can let the puck fly with a hard, heavy slapshot from the point. He has a variety of good shots in his arsenal, but the slapper is what people notice. What Wilde needs to work on is creating his own shot without making mistakes. Additionally, he fell in the 2018 draft because of his defensive liabilities. At times he plays too much of a high-risk game and it comes back to burn him.

At 6-4, 200 pounds, Wilde has nice size and uses it effectively. He has great agility as well, but knowing how to do something and when to do it are two different things. Wilde decided to go the junior route after he turned 18, which was a good move. As a rookie with Saginaw, he scored 70 points and added another nine in the OHL playoffs. This season looks to be another growth year for him as Wilde likely heads to the Islanders AHL affiliate in Bridgeport.

3. Noah Dobson (19), Defenseman, 2018 1st round, 12th overall

It was really close to a coin toss between Dobson and the next man on the list for the number two slot. No matter where he’s ranked, second or third, the New York Islanders selected a winner with this defenseman. Over the past two seasons, Dobson had been close to a point-per-game player in the OHL, but he really turned it on the playoffs. He scored 29 points in 20 games for the QMJHL Champion Rouyn-Bathurst Titan.

Another good-sized defenseman, Dobson comes in at an impressive 6-4, but he’ll need to add some more bulk to his 185 pounds. It’s great to think about what could be when his body matures. Dobson already has outstanding speed both forwards and backward and can find an extra gear when necessary. He gets the puck up ice fast and is capable of running a power play.

Best of all, Dobson is very steady in his own end. He doesn’t let his defense suffer just because he’s offensively skilled. Dobson and Ryan Pulock will be the New York Islanders standard bearers on the blueline for many years.