Eiserman intrigued by 'buzz' around Islanders ahead of training camp

CHICAGO -- Ask those who have worked with Cole Eiserman what his best asset is, and the answer is the same: his shot.

Jay Pandolfo, who coached the New York Islanders forward prospect at Boston University, called him "a sniper." Rocky Thompson, who coached Eiserman last season in Bridgeport of the American Hockey League, said it's "an NHL-level shot, for sure."

It's a shot that could soon help the Islanders. Eiserman, who turned 20 on Aug. 29, is one of several prospects who could be part of the next youth wave for the Islanders with Peter DeBoer, who was hired as coach April 5. Those include four players from their 2025 NHL Draft class: defenseman Matthew Schaefer, the 18-year-old who was the No. 1 pick and won the Calder Trophy voted as the League's top rookie last season, as well as forwards Victor Eklund (No. 16 pick) and Daniil Prokhorov (No. 42), and defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson (No. 17), all of whom are 19.

"There's a new coach and it seems like there's a lot of buzz around the Islanders, which is pretty cool especially with 'Schaef,' Eklund and Aitcheson, (Malte) Gustafsson, all these young guys," Eiserman said at the NHLPA Rookie Showcase in Chicago in July. "It's cool everyone's coming at the same time-ish, which is important for all of us. We all feel very comfortable and excited, mostly because we're all in it together."

The No. 20 pick by the Islanders in the 2024 NHL Draft, Eiserman had 28 points (18 goals, 10 assists) in 32 games at BU and nine points (two goals, seven assists) 12 games with Bridgeport after signing his entry-level contract March 18. He also played two Calder Cup Playoff games.

"It was a big jump," Eiserman said. "Obviously different, especially where (Bridgeport was), going to try and make the playoffs and a lot in the conference were trying to make the playoffs, too. Every game mattered. I got to learn in those games right away. It was a big jump and I'm excited and happy I was able to get those games."

So, what's next? Thompson, named an assistant on DeBoer's staff May 5, loved what he saw from Eiserman during his brief time in Bridgeport last season. Now he wants to see Eiserman move in.

"He made some nice plays and saw the ice well, so that's something we could develop with him, getting to the inside of the ice, the interior if you will," Thompson said. "In college, when I was watching him a little bit, he played on the perimeter at 5-on-5, and I think with his physical ability and strength, he could be a huge asset in the middle of the ice. That will only enhance the skills he does have, which is the ability to shoot the puck from that area of the ice.

"You just don't want to be on the perimeter at the NHL level. The players are too good at checking, and the goaltenders are too good for your offense to be able to put numbers up on the board from that area of the ice."

Pandolfo said Eiserman has also improved his game away from the puck, something that became necessary when he went through a dry spell last season.

"He was getting chances but for whatever reason, whether he was hitting a post or the goalie was making a great save, he went on a stretch where he really didn't score as much as used to," Pandolfo said. "He focused on other parts of his game and didn't let that slip away. So that was a good learning experience for him.

"He got better defensively, he got better away from the puck, all the little things that make a difference in playing in the NHL on a daily basis. You have to be able to do other things, you have to be able to check, you have to be responsible defensively. You only have the puck so often and you're only going to get so many opportunities to score that you have to do other things well."

Eiserman is getting it all together on the ice. He knows what's expected of him after he got a glimpse of it last season and the Islanders love his potential.

"I was really happy with my encounter with him in that short period of time," Thompson said. "I thought he embraced a grinding style of game, which is what I think he's going to have to do at the NHL level. He has the physical capabilities. He's extremely strong and he played a physical game for us, and I think combining that with his offensive abilities, he's going to be a very valuable asset at the NHL level."