Holmstrom Honing His Game 

Simon Holmstrom has been encouraged to shoot more - and after heeding that advice - his efforts paid off on Tuesday night with a goal against the Colorado Avalanche.

“He's been working so hard and truly deserved it with all the chances he’s had so far this year,” Jean-Gabriel Pageau said. “You can just see a confidence building in his game and that's very dangerous. He’s good with and without the puck and plays with that confidence.”

Holmstrom scored his first goal of the season in Tuesday’s 7-4 loss, firing a wrister through Alexandar Georgiev to give the Islanders a 3-2 lead in the middle frame, marking his seventh career NHL goal and 10th point. 

“The play started off pretty good defensively,” Holmstrom said. “We got the puck and Clutterbuck got it on the wall. Then he made a really good pass down the middle, and I tried to get it off as quickly as possible.” 

The puck was on and off his stick instantly, the type of reaction that Head Coach Lane Lambert was looking for.

The 22-year-old winger was utilized with some new linemates on Tuesday, skating with Pageau, Cal Clutterbuck and sharing some ice time with Oliver Wahlstrom. Lambert emphasized the importance of versatility in a young player’s development by using him in different situations. 

“We want him to play the same way,” Lambert said of Holmstrom. “But when you play with different types of players, I think it's good for him to learn from that and grow.”

Holmstrom played his first three games of the season on a line with Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal after mainly practicing with them in training camp, fitting in as a playmaker. The Swedish winger had a tendency of looking to make a pass first, recording one shot over the span of his first three games as a result. After receiving the feedback to shoot more, he made an impact in Tuesday’s contest, recording three shots on goal against Colorado in 14:47 TOI. 

“I feel like he's holding on to the puck more now,” Lambert said on Wednesday after practice. “He has more confidence to make plays. We know he can shoot. He started shooting right from the day one of rookie camp, and you saw what he can do last night when he does shoot the puck.”

Lambert pointed out that the young winger has been coachable in making tweaks and adjustments to his game.  

“He’s been fairly receptive,” Lambert said. “With him not shooting the puck early in the season on that top line with Barzal and Horvat, I think he was trying to make some plays. When you're playing on that line or when you're playing on any line with that shot he possesses, he has to use it no matter what happens.” 

Last season looked much different for the Swedish winger. Holmstrom began the 2022-23 season in Bridgeport, registering five points (3G, 2A) in 16 games with the Islanders’ AHL affiliate before making his NHL debut on Nov. 23 against the Edmonton Oilers. He went on to play 50 games for the Islanders, picking up nine points (6G, 3A) over that span.

Kicking off the season in the NHL is making a difference to the 22-year-old. 

“It’s better to be with the team from the start,” Holmstrom said. “To get the start here with all the guys, I’m just really looking forward to the rest of the season.” 

As Holmstrom is acclimating in his second season, Pierre Engvall noticed an increased sense of confidence in his teammate. 

“The first year is usually about trying to figure things out and finding your spot,” Engvall said. “So now we can definitely see he's just getting more comfortable and playing with more confidence. He’s a smart kid and he works hard, so he just has to keep doing what he’s doing.”

When asked about the process of improving his skills, Holmstrom attributed his recent increased shot volume to watching video to help see what he can do differently on the ice. Advice teammates also goes a long way, especially from his fellow Swede in Sebastian Aho, who he has a friendship dating back to their days in Bridgeport and as well as playing together in Sweden.  

“Everybody's taking care of him,” Aho said. “We talk a lot, and we try to help each other within each other's games too. Sometimes it's tough to see what you need to work on yourself, but it's easier from the outside. We share a lot.” 

As Holmstrom sees more ice time and receives more opportunities going forward, his teammates are excited about his potential. 

“He's a super skilled player and always has been,” Aho said. “I'm just glad more people are seeing it now. He’s played some great hockey. I'm sure he'll take more shots and make more and more plays the longer the season goes on when he gets even more confident.”