Draft: Countdown #9 - Ryan Strome

9. Ryan Strome

Position: Center
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 170 lbs
Shoots: R
DOB: July 11th, 1993
Nationality: Canadian
2010-2011 Team: Niagara IceDogs
League: Ontario Hockey League
Stats: 65 GP - 33 G - 73 A - 106 P - 82 PIM
Playoffs: 14 GP - 6 G - 6 A - 12 P - 19 PIM

CH: Strome is one of my favorite prospects in the top 10 of the draft this year. To start, he is a righty shot, which will complement Tavares well on the second line. It means there would be more flexibility to put other guys on the wings depending on their preference. It also would allow them to play the same PP line on opposite sides. Strome is a very creative player who has been on the rise for quite some time now. After 14 points and 27 points respectively in his first two years playing for Barrie and Niagara in the OHL, he burst on the scene with 106 points this year and just under a PPG in the playoffs.

Strome, who just turned 18, would absolutely need another year of seasoning in the OHL. Niagara was a good team this year and they should be again next year. This situation reminds me a bit of the Josh Bailey situation in 2008. Bailey was an up-and-coming riser for the Windsor Spitfires who was rushed into the NHL. Obviously, we all know he has struggled in the NHL since then. Strome, who is only 5'11" and 170 pounds has room and time to grow. He'll need to fill out more before he reaches the NHL level full time, but his skill and talent are undeniable. He should be a top 6 player for a very long time.

As far as the Islanders go, he is certainly on their radar. Strome was brought onto Long Island over the weekend for a visit with the team. He did an interview with Chris Botta where you can listen to here. He seems like a high character guy who would fit right into the current locker room, especially because he is friendly with John Tavares. If the Islanders decide they want to go with a center, he certainly is a viable option at 5. If they think he'll be around at 7-8, it's possible he'll be around there too, but not much after that. Still, if developed correctly (and he will be if the Isles take him after the Bailey fiasco), the Islanders will end up very happy with Ryan Strome in their organization.

AT: Strome is one who I would be completely happy with being taken at 5. A dynamic talent and very skilled playmaker, Strome would create a magnificent 1-2 punch down the center for the Isles. The wings can be filled out, but having Strome and JT down the center could and most likely would create a huge offensive outburst in a year's time after another year in juniors. As mentioned, putting him back in juniors is the wisest route after the Bailey experiment went so wrong. He had a huge jump in points (much like Huberdeau) and there's no harm for sending him back to the O for another year. One scout commented that Strome seemed tired out by the end of Niagara's run. That doesn't worry me too much. Stamina is something that gets better over time and can be increased. I would be ecstatic seeing a dynamic talent like Strome in our organization.

Most likely to be drafted: 4-9