Islanders Prospect Report: Apr. 22, 2024

Welcome to the Islanders Prospect Report, a weekly roundup of the Islanders' junior, collegiate and European prospects. Visit our In the System page for more prospect content.

Here are this week's updates on Islanders prospects: 

GILL STAYS HOT AS DRAKKAR SWEEPS ROUND TWO

Justin Gill recorded five points (2G, 3A) in Games 3 and 4 as the Baie-Comeau Drakkar swept the Acadie-Bathurst Titan in Round 2.

The Islanders’ 2023 fifth-round pick (98th overall) had a three-point performance (1G, 2A) in Tuesday’s 6-5 OT win in Game 3, with a goal in the second period to knot the score at three apiece, along with two assists in the contest.

GEORGE, KNIGHTS SWEEP TO ADVANCE TO CONFERENCE FINALS

Isaiah George and the London Knights dominated the Kitchener Rangers, putting them away in four games to move onto the Conference Finals. 

The 19-year-old defenseman is continuing his offensive production for the undefeated Knights, who are now 8-0 in postseason action. In a Game 3 victory on Tuesday, George chipped in with an empty-net goal to ice the game 6-4. George and the Knights swept Round 2 to advance to the Western Conference Finals with a 4-3 win on Thursday. Their opponent is yet to be determined, as the Saginaw Spirit will face off against Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in a decisive Game 7 on Tuesday.  

The Islanders’ 2022 fourth-round pick has been defensively reliable with a plus-10 rating in the playoffs. He’s building on his career postseason highs with three goals and three assists this year, along with 19 shots on goal through eight games.

MACHU NETS FIRST PLAYOFF GOAL 

In his third career postseason run, Tomas Machu is putting up his best numbers for the Youngstown Phantoms as they’re tied 1-1 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Dubuque Fighting Saints. 

En route to the Semifinals, Machu got hot at the right time. The 21-year-old defenseman stepped up in the first Round of the Clark Cup Playoffs, stringing together a three-game point streak (1G, 2A) in the best-of-three series against the Madison Capitols. 

After falling in a 1-0 hole in the series, Youngstown earned a 5-2 win in Game 2 on Tuesday where Machu tallied an assist. The Islanders’ 2021 seventh-round pick (221st overall) netted his first career postseason goal with an empty netter in Wednesday’s 8-4 victory to take the series and advance to the Semifinals. 

Machu and the Phantoms won Game 1 with a 2-0 shutout but were shut out in Game 2 with a final score of 6-0. Game 3 against the Fighting Saints is set for Tuesday. 

With three points (1G, 2A) in five games, Machu surpassed last year’s totals of two assists through eight playoff games. The run will mark Machu’s last in the USHL, as the 21-year-old committed to playing at Providence College for the 2024-25 season. 

STATS

CHL:

Isaiah George | London (OHL) | 68GP, 6G, 24A, 30P, 54PIM

Isaiah George | London (Playoffs) | 8GP, 3G, 3A, 6P, 0PIM

Justin Gill | Drakkar de Baie-Comeau (QMJHL) | 65GP, 40G, 58A, 98P, 64PIM

Justin Gill | Drakkar de Baie-Comeau (Playoffs) | 8GP, 5G, 10A, 15P, 12PIM

USHL:

Tomas Machu | Youngstown | 60GP, 1G, 16A, 17P, 72PIM

Tomas Machu | Playoffs | 5GP, 1G, 2A, 3P, 6PIM