Welcome back to the New York Islanders Prospects Report, our deep-dive look into the next generation of Long Island hockey. As the calendar turns to mid-March, the bridge between amateur and professional hockey becomes a very busy place. While the big club is locked in a tight Eastern Conference playoff race, several of the organization’s most anticipated talents are hitting major milestones, signing professional papers, or etching their names into junior hockey history books.
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The 2025-26 season has been a defining one for the Islanders’ pipeline. After years of criticism regarding a shallow prospect pool, the recent influx of high-end draft capital is finally starting to bear fruit. From the NCAA ranks to the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), here is the state of the system as of March 2026.
Cole Eiserman Signs ELC: The Pure Sniper Heads to Bridgeport
The biggest news of the week came on Wednesday as the Islanders officially signed Cole Eiserman to a three-year, entry-level contract. For a fan base that has long craved a “pure” goal-scorer, this is the moment many have been waiting for.
Eiserman just wrapped up his sophomore season at Boston University, and while the Terriers didn’t quite replicate the team success of previous years, Eiserman’s individual ability to find the back of the net remains elite. He finished his college career with 43 goals in 71 games — production that reflects a shooter who doesn’t need much daylight to change a game.
The Next Step: Eiserman is expected to join the Bridgeport Islanders on an amateur tryout to finish the American Hockey League (AHL) season. The transition to the pro game will be a test of his off-puck play and defensive positioning — two areas that scouts have scrutinized. However, his power-play utility is immediate. If he can adjust to the speed of the AHL, don’t be surprised to see him pushing for a middle-six role in training camp this fall.
Kashawn Aitcheson: A Record-Breaking Season in the OHL
If you haven’t been tracking Kashawn Aitcheson in Barrie, you’ve been missing one of the most dominant defensive performances in the OHL. The 2025 first-round pick has done more than just develop this season; he has rewritten the Barrie Colts’ record books.
Earlier this month, Aitcheson set a new franchise record for the most goals by a defenseman in a single season. As of this report, he leads all OHL blueliners in goals and points, surpassing icons like Brandt Clarke and Aaron Ekblad in the Colts’ history books.
The respect for Aitcheson’s game was made official this week with the release of the 2025-26 OHL Coaches Poll. In a league where coaches vote on the best players in specific skill categories, Aitcheson was the winner in the Eastern Conference for:
- Best Shot
- Hardest Shot
- Best Body-Checker
- Best Offensive Defenseman
Winning both Best Offensive Defenseman and Best Body-Checker is a rare feat that perfectly encapsulates his identity. He isn’t just a “fourth forward” on the ice; he plays a heavy, physical game while maintaining an elite offensive output. The Islanders officially signed him to his entry-level deal on Tuesday (March 17), signaling that the organization views him as a cornerstone of their future blue line.
Danny Nelson Chooses Development Over the Pros
In a move that caught some by surprise, Danny Nelson has elected to return to Notre Dame for another year rather than turning pro this spring. While the Islanders were reportedly interested in bringing him to Bridgeport, Nelson’s decision to stay in South Bend speaks to a player who wants to refine his “pro-style” game before making the jump.
Nelson has been the epitome of consistency for the Irish. Playing a heavy, 200-foot game, he has become a coach’s favorite for his ability to drive play from the center position. He isn’t a flashy, high-skill player, but he wins battles and plays with a level of maturity that suggests he will be a very reliable NHL contributor once he finally makes the move.
For Islanders fans, Nelson’s decision shouldn’t be seen as a setback. Given the logjam of veteran forwards on the current roster, another season as a primary play-driver in the Big Ten will likely serve his long-term ceiling better than playing limited minutes in the AHL right now.
Quinn Finley: Eyes on the NCAA Tournament Selection Show
While Nelson’s season has come to an early close, Quinn Finley and the Wisconsin Badgers are currently living on the “bubble.” The Badgers suffered a disappointing upset at the hands of Ohio State in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals last week, leaving their postseason hopes in the hands of the NCAA selection committee.
Finley’s junior year has been a fascinating case study in developmental prioritization. After a breakout sophomore campaign where he eclipsed the 20-goal mark, his raw point totals have dipped slightly this season (15 goals and 28 points in 33 games). However, a closer look reveals a player the Islanders’ brass should be much more excited about than a simple stat sheet suggests.
In a recent interview with team media, Finley acknowledged that while his offensive numbers aren’t mirroring last season’s torrid pace, his overall utility has skyrocketed. He has become a primary penalty killer for Wisconsin and is frequently deployed to protect leads in the final minutes.
Finley also added a unique feather to his cap this winter, earning a silver medal at the 2026 Spengler Cup with the U.S. Collegiate Selects. Playing alongside fellow Isles prospect Danny Nelson, Finley posted five points in four games against professional European competition, proving his skill set translates well against men.
What’s Next: All eyes are now on the NCAA Selection Show this Sunday, March 22. If Wisconsin secures an at-large bid, Finley will have another chance to showcase his high-pressure scoring touch. If they are left out, the conversation will immediately pivot to whether the Islanders push to sign him to an entry-level contract now or let him return for a senior season. Unlike the recently signed Eiserman, the Islanders hold Finley’s exclusive rights until Aug 15, 2027, giving them the luxury of patience.
International Flavor: Jesse Nurmi and Victor Eklund
Over in the OHL, Jesse Nurmi has found his rhythm with the London Knights after a brief stint in the ECHL earlier this season. The Finnish forward has been on a tear lately, producing at over a point-per-game pace. Nurmi seems to have adjusted well to the smaller North American ice.
Meanwhile, in Sweden, Victor Eklund continues to develop his game with Djurgårdens IF. While his point totals might not jump off the page, his underlying impact in a professional league as a teenager remains a positive indicator. He was a bright spot for Sweden at the World Juniors and remains a high-upside project for the Isles’ scouting staff.
The Big Picture
The Islanders’ prospect pool is currently in a state of transition. We are seeing the “Old Guard” of the system — the late-round projects and long-term college stays — mixing with a new wave of high-pedigree talent like Eiserman and Aitcheson.
The next few weeks will be telling. As college seasons end and the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Playoffs begin, we’ll see which of these players can elevate their game when the stakes are highest. For now, the future at UBS Arena looks a lot brighter than it did just 12 months ago.
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