Islanders and Sabres Rounds 2-7

June 28, 2009   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

Saturday, the 2009 NHL Draft continued with Rounds 2 thru 7. With that in mind, let’s see who the Islanders and Sabres wound up with completing the big weekend in Montreal:

NEW YORK ISLANDERS

Rd     Ov         Player                        Pos     DOB              Ht      Wt         Team         League

2        31          Mikko Koskinen     G         7/18/88     6-5   187       Blues          Finland

3        62          Anders Nilsson      G         3/19/90     6-5   220      Lulea, Jr.  SWE-Jr.

4        92          Casey Cizikas          C          2/27/91     5-10  190    Mississauga St. Michaels, OHL

5        122        Anton Klementyev  D     3/25/90      6-1    198    Yaroslavl 2   Russia-3

6        152        Anders Lee              C          7/3/90       6-2    209    Edina High   High-MN

Mikko Koskinen

One-Timer: This classic late-boomer goalie prospect, who has come out of nowhere this year, has actually been passed over in the past three drafts. This year, however, Koskinen should be hearing his named called and likely in the second round. For the Espoo Blues of Finland’s top league in 33 games, he posted an impressive 1.91 goals-against average and .931 save-percentage.  Obviously, given his size, his “biggest” asset is just that and with his hybrid style, he seemingly covers the whole net. He does anticipate the play well, but will need to further work on quickness.

Hockey’s Future: Koskinen’s greatest asset is his size, which he uses to seemingly fill the entire net and he covers a lot of space in the butterfly. He is inexperienced in terms of the number of games played and has not had a lot of international experience – excelling in the SM-Liiga where he ordinarily does not see the booming slapshots or accurate snipers more common in North America.  Still learning as a goaltender, he must work to improve his quickness and foot speed. Very good at anticipating chances and setting himself to limit scoring opportunities.  Quality teammate who has earned the respect of the veteran players in Espoo.

Anders Nilsson

Hockey’s Future: A huge goaltender that is technically skilled. Nilsson has good hockey smarts plays with calmness and has good mental strength. Challenges the shooters and has been very consistent during his career, rarely having bad games. Furthermore, he is athletic and quite agile.

Casey Cizikas

OHL: Acquired in the 1st Round (3rd overall) in the 2007 OHL draft…Casey’s proudest hockey moment was when he was drafted by the Majors…he played his minor hockey for West Mall, Mississauga Reps/IceDogs and the Toronto Avalanche….he started playing hockey when he was 3…. last year with the Mississauga Icedogs Minor Midget AAA he had 106 points in 77 games…..he scored his first OHL goal Oct. 12th 2007 against Brampton……Casey finished the 08-09 season ranked 10th in rookie scoring with 41 points.

Hockey Prospect: A player who has a solid all around game and does a lot of things right. He has decent offensive skills, putting up 18 goals and 41 points in his rookie season in the OHL last year. He is capable of far more offensively. He is a great passer, has great skating ability and a knack for finding room for himself.

This player is definitely very crafty with the puck when pressured. He also has a very nice set of hands and should shoot a little more than he does. He does need to get a little stronger in his upper body, to be able to better battle in traffic. He’s a good solid prospect who at 5-11, 185 lbs will get a little more filled out. We like his upside.

Anton Klementyev

Newsday Online: The Isles have gone for a Russian defenseman named Anton Klementyev. He’s not in the NHL data base. but the Russian prospect boards list him as 6-1, from 195 pounds. He’s 19 years old, and is playing for Yaroslavl Lokomotiv-2. Judging his 2007-08 stats — 2 goals and 6 assists — he’s more of a stay-at-home type.

Anton Klementyev was taken off the board. So, there’s hardly anything on the Russian defenseman.

Anders Lee

Hockey’s Future: At 6’2.5/213 lbs, Lee is a man-child. It is easy to spot him on the ice because of his imposing size and tremendous strength. He is exceedingly strong on his skates and quite mobile. What stands out about Lee’s skating however is the great balance and agility that he has for such a big man. He also has some speed to go with it. Lee utilizes his large frame, strength and long reach to great advantage. He is not only a difficult player to move off of the puck, but he can also power his way through the opposition’s checks too. He is very strong along the boards and in the corners. Where Lee’s use of his size and strength are particularly noticeable are in his relentless drives to the net and in protecting the puck. He can also deliver some bone-jarring hits as well.

Future

“This is awesome. It just worked out perfect,” Foligno said by phone from the draft in Montreal. “It seemed like it was meant to be.“

Coming Later: Rangers and Devils Rds 2-7